185th Anniversary - 1839-2024

ACO - Annual Awards Winner 2023 - Charity of the Year

2023 ACO Charity of the Year

Welfare Volunteers

Welfare Volunteers, the new name for our Almoners, are people associated with the newstrade, who visit existing beneficiaries and new applicants on our behalf.

A personal welfare service

Our welfare volunteer home visits are a key element of our welfare service. Our welfare volunteers are the human faces of NewstrAid and, through their home visits, they enable us to deliver our welfare service on a personal, local level, which means so much more to those in need of support. We currently have 78 active volunteers visiting over 500 households around the UK.

Existing beneficiaries enjoy at least two visits a year. This provides beneficiaries with an opportunity to raise any worries or concerns they are currently experiencing. All information is kept totally confidential and the dignity of our beneficiaries is respected at all times.

AlmonersHome visits tell us much about a person’s quality of life and they allow welfare volunteers to identify areas where support is specifically needed much more than a telephone call ever could.

Almoners

The first home visit

Where a welfare volunteer is available, new applicants will always receive a visit as part of the application process. We understand how daunting it can be to approach a charity for help and all volunteers have a newstrade connection, so they have something in common with new applicants before they meet. This common ground helps to break the ice during the first visit and puts people at ease from the offset. Welfare volunteers will also assist with completion of the application form and answer any queries that arise.

Relieving isolation and loneliness

Our welfare volunteer service allows us to alleviate isolation and loneliness, a particular problem for the elderly and disabled who may have little contact with others. A chat over a cup of tea can mean the world to somebody who does not have family or friends living nearby or cannot get out due to poor health or old age.

Beneficiaries can also request a visit from their welfare volunteer if they need support outside of their usual contact and we often hear that the visits are valued as much as the financial support they receive.

Being a Welfare Volunteer - Find Out what's involved?

Could you be a welfare volunteer for NewstrAid?

Welfare Volunteers find their role very rewarding and we are always looking for new recruits. All that is needed is a newstrade connection and a willingness to lend a sympathetic listening ear. You are free to dedicate as little or as much time as you wish.

Please note that full training is available on all aspects of the role of a welfare volunteer. You will be issued with an informative induction pack before you are asked to visit a beneficiary and you will also be given the opportunity to attend a volunteer workshop. Telephone support from our welfare team is available at all times. Welfare volunteers do not need any specific welfare knowledge as all welfare matters are referred back to the welfare staff at head office.

What is most important is to always respect the pride and dignity of those you visit. It is very difficult for many people to ask for help.

Becoming a Welfare Volunteer

The need for help is greater than ever before and we hope to be able to continue to work as we do now, with trade people helping their less fortunate former colleagues.

If you are interested in being a welfare volunteer please contact our Welfare team on 01279 879569

Almoners

Meet one of our volunteers!

“I enjoy being a welfare volunteer as it gives me the opportunity to give something back to society.” Mike Buckmaster, joined WHSmith Wholesale in 1959 and worked his way up to senior management until he retired in 1998. He became an welfare volunteer in Oxfordshire 16 years ago, taking on 2 beneficiaries, which has since gradually increased to 9 households.

Mike says “I enjoy being a welfare volunteer as it gives me the opportunity to give something back to society. It also ensures, where possible, NewstrAid is able to help the beneficiaries where it is needed. I have seen for myself the way the financial help has put a smile on faces.

Recently, whilst visiting one of my beneficiaries, she mentioned that a friend had lost her husband and she previously worked for WHS Retail. Her friend now also receives NewstrAid help”.