This email was sent to Volunteer Responders in October 2024.
In this edition we focus on:
Page last reviewed: 30 October 2024
Our Telephone Support[1] role offers friendly phone calls to people in need of support to improve wellbeing and reduce loneliness and isolation. Please make a call if you can. We know what a difference these calls make.
To accept a Telephone Support task, please check the ‘Activities’ tab on the GoodSAM Responder app. Calls are listed in priority order, so please accept and complete the first task if you can. Once you have accepted a task, you will see the contact details.
To check you have the activity selected, log in to the GoodSAM website[2], go to the ‘Manage my roles’ tab and check you have Telephone Support ticked.
If you would like to find out more about what to expect, watch an informative session about Check In and Chat Calls[3].
Page last reviewed: 30 October 2024
Please check the ‘Activities’ tab on the GoodSAM app to pick your volunteering tasks. This is your primary route for volunteering with us.
See our GoodSAM guide on scheduled activities/shifts[4] for a reminder on how to do this.
You will only receive ‘ping-style’ alerts for urgent requests, so please continue to check the app for new volunteering opportunities. You can pick the activities you want to do ahead of time, making it much easier to plan your volunteering.
Page last reviewed: 30 October 2024
Utilising the GoodSAM app and website provides the platform to connect you with those who need your support. There are lots of volunteering tasks currently available on the GoodSAM app.
If you need assistance with accepting a task or reviewing your volunteering roles, you can attend one of our supportive webinar sessions. Here you can ask a question and learn the basics of the GoodSAM app and website. This is a drop-in session and you do not need to stay for the whole hour unless you want to. Click the button below and select your session.
Page last reviewed: 30 October 2024
We urgently need your support with Steward shifts for the current vaccination campaign. Shifts are available now.
You can view and accept shifts in the Activities tab on the GoodSAM app. Please book a shift if you can. If you have already booked a shift, thank you.
To add the Steward activity, click the button below to log into your GoodSAM account. Once logged in, click the ‘Manage your current activities’ tab and tick the Steward activity. This will prompt you to complete a quick question on whether you have any unspent convictions.
See further guidance on using the GoodSAM app[7]
If you need assistance with completing the process, please call our Support Team on 0808 196 3382[8].
Page last reviewed: 30 October 2024
Our Skills Bank[9] has a wealth of resources at its disposal designed to support your volunteering development. As a Volunteer Responder, you provide your support and kindness to those who need it in a variety of ways.
We have recently added new skills to support you, such as problem solving[10] and resilience[11]. Browse the full list of pages here.
Page last reviewed: 30 October 2024
We would like to take the opportunity to wish all those celebrating and their loved ones a happy Diwali across 31 October - 1 November.
For those interested and want to find out more, click the button below.
Page last reviewed: 30 October 2024
For #BlackHistoryMonth, we recognise the invaluable contributions of our Black volunteers like Irving, who have dedicated their time and energy to support our communities.
Since retiring, Irving found a new purpose in volunteering, supporting the NHS and his community with a range of tasks, including Stewarding. His unwavering commitment to supporting our communities is truly inspiring.
Irving shared, “What might seem small to you can make a big difference to someone else.”
We’re grateful for the dedication and contributions of our Black volunteers and the impact they have on the lives of others 💙
Page last reviewed: 30 October 2024
Royal Voluntary Service’s Stay Safe, Warm and Well campaign, delivered with long-term partner Yakult and with Stay Warm partner Cadent Gas, offers people up-to-date wellbeing advice and support throughout the winter.
Staying socially connected, the theme of this year’s campaign, is vital for our emotional and physical wellbeing, especially for those who are older or feeling isolated by illness.
Join us throughout November on the Virtual Village Hall, where you’ll find a series of seasonal Safe, Warm and Well sessions, supported by Yakult and all designed to ‘bring the outside in’. You can find more information on the Virtual Village Hall[13].
Page last reviewed: 30 October 2024
Questions this week include help on the GoodSAM app, how to cancel a shift, what to do if your shift is cancelled and why can’t you see anything in the Activities tab.
You'll find the step-by-step guidance for setting up the app and responding to alerts in the Getting You Started Guides and on our Volunteer Responders website[17]. We also have a video you can watch to help get you started: GoodSAM app video.[18]
Once you have confirmed attendance, this will show on your ‘tasks’ screen with attending in green, next to that shift. If you need to cancel a shift, swipe across the task, still on the tasks screen, and press ‘no longer attending’.
Referrers have the facility to cancel a request for stewards or amend the number of stewards required. If you experience this then please contact us to let us know by calling the Support Team on 0808 196 3382[8] or email [email protected][19].
We will then follow this up and support the site to mitigate this happening again for you and for other volunteers.
It’s important to check that all settings are correct and that notifications and location access is enabled. We have provided guidance in our GoodSAM app guide[7], 'how to download and enable settings'.
You should also check to make sure that you have the latest updates to the GoodSAM app. You can check this by going into your phone settings, into apps and checking if any updates are needed for the GoodSAM app.
You can also check the GoodSAM app in Apple Store or Google Play and if there are updates required you will be able to click on updates. This will ensure you have the latest version, and nothing is restricting access to future tasks.
If you are still experiencing issues, then please contact the Support Team on 0808 196 3382[8] or email [email protected][19]
Page last reviewed: 30 October 2024