Boundaries and managing expectations

It's vital that everyone volunteering on behalf of Re-engage applies sound judgement so that, as they develop friendships with older people, they represent the charity in a professional and trustworthy manner. This includes acting in a way that complies with our expectations for befriending and safeguarding.

It’s also crucial that you understand the limits or boundaries of your volunteer role and that you manage the expectations of the older people you’re supporting. After all, relationships can be complicated, so having a clear understanding of what is expected of you in your role – and what is not – will help ensure the protection and safety of yourself and the older people you support and a safe and consistent setting in which relationships with others can develop.

As a Re-engage volunteer you’ll:

• give your time to listen to an older person who’s experiencing social isolation and loneliness.
• build a friendship that helps the older person feel less lonely and more connected.
• help improve the older person’s wellbeing and increase their self-esteem.

Your volunteer role can include:

• spending time with the older person, listening and chatting.
• keeping in regular face to face or telephone contact with the older person, in line with your volunteering role.
• dependent upon your role, helping older people find out about social activities and networks in their local area.
• enjoying one another's time together.

Your volunteer role mustn’t include:

• sharing your personal details with the older person if this isn’t required as part of your volunteering role.
• sharing the personal details of anyone connected to Re-engage without their permission.
• retaining or holding the keys to an older person’s home.
• providing health care or health information for example, dispensing medication or advice to an older person.
• providing personal care for example, help with eating/drinking or with washing.
• managing money or handling cash on behalf of an older person.
• lifting or carrying older people.
• helping with general household tasks for example, shopping, housework, gardening, or minor household repairs.
• being involved in the conduct of the older person’s affairs for example, acting as an advocate or as power of attorney.
• accepting personal gifts from an older person.
• providing a ‘sitting’ service for example, carer’s respite.
• offering counselling or therapy.
• keeping secrets.
• engaging in actions, including physical contact, language or opinions that are offensive or discriminatory.

Saying ‘no’ and feeling OK

Saying ‘no’ to an older person you've got to know can be difficult. If you're clear about your role, your boundaries, and Re-engage’s expectations you'll be more confident in maintaining those boundaries as the relationship develops. You must consider that saying ‘yes’ on one occasion may mean you can’t say 'no’ in future.

Keeping Re-engage in the loop

As a volunteer, it’s important that you let the team at Re-engage know about any changes in your circumstances that might affect your voluntary role (for example, if you move house or if your phone number or email address change). Please let us know about any changes.

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