Older people can search and apply for tea party vacancies by using our online map.

Potential volunteers can search and apply for tea party volunteering roles by using our online map or search for tea party vacancies and make a referral by using our online map.

A Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) and Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) are both schemes that provide criminal background record checks. A DBS check is used in England and Wales, while a PVG check is used in Scotland.

DBS / PVG checks are mandatory for all our area organisers, group coordinators and drivers (both permanent and temporary). The checks help us to ensure that volunteers are suitable for supporting vulnerable older people.

DBS and PVG checks have different levels of checks and are specific to the volunteering role you’re applying for which is why people applying to be a Re-engage volunteer have to have a new check.

If you’ve already had a DBS / PVG check with us and think it’s still valid, please contact the Re-engage team at knowledge@reengage.org.uk.

If you apply to volunteer with Re-engage and have any previous convictions, you’ll be asked to declare these as part of the recruitment process. Having a criminal record doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to volunteer; we look at this on a case-by-case basis.

When we need you to complete a DBS/PVG check we’ll email you with step-by-step instructions to help guide you through the process.

For DBS checks we’ll ask you to scan or photograph the relevant documents and email them to knowledge@reengage.org.uk, so that they can be verified by the Re-engage team.

Once you’ve made your application, the DBS should take about 14 days to process.

For PVG checks, the ID check one of the Re-engage team will email you and ask you to book a zoom or teams meeting where they’ll verify your documents online.

Once your ID check is complete, you’ll receive an email from Disclosure Scotland asking you to complete your application. You’ll have seven days to complete the application, or you’ll need to restart the process; so please check your inbox and spam folder regularly to make sure you don’t miss the email.

Once your application is complete, you’ll receive an email from Disclosure Scotland and a certificate.

Most PVG applications are completed within 14 days (not including postage time).

When we receive your DBS / PVG certificate the Re-engage team record that it’s been received on your volunteer record, we don’t keep the original DBS / PVG certificate.

If you need a copy of your DBS / PVG certificate, please click here for DBS and here for PVG.

Please contact the Re-engage team at knowledge@reengage.org.uk.

If you’re registered with the update service we can use your registration if it’s for the regulated activity of working with adults.

You must send us a scan of the original certificate and ID documents to: knowledge@reengage.org.uk.

We’ll then send you the link to a form for you to give us permission to view your record with the update service.

Tea party group coordinators can either call or visit older people and volunteers joining their tea party group to discuss and arrange the practical arrangements.

Re-engage values equality and our tea parties are open to all older people over the age of 75 who are experiencing loneliness, social isolation, or who are in need of companionship.

On very rare occasions a tea party group coordinator may discover something through their initial call or visit to an older person or volunteer that wasn’t previously known, and which may prevent them from joining a tea party group. If this happens, please contact the Re-engage team at knowledge@reengage.org.uk.

Mileage to visit new volunteers or older guests before they join the tea party group. Tea party group coordinators must log mileage on their claim form and calculate the amount claimed at 45p per mile.

Stationery and stamps to communicate information to volunteers and older guests in your tea party group.

Telephone calls to older guests. Please remember that you must send us itemised phone bills.