A report by the Royal Voluntary Service claims volunteering can play a vital role in improving the working and living environment for staff and residents in care homes. It outlines four recommendations to care homes for utilising volunteering to improve the social care experience for residents and staff:

1. To grow volunteer numbers through increasing public awareness and reducing barriers to volunteering in social care.
2. To build the demand for volunteers through greater engagement and awareness among staff on the role of volunteers within their workplace, and greater input from staff on volunteer training and roles/activities.
3. To maximise outcomes for residents and staff through structured programmes that include consistent volunteers, sustained & frequent levels of activities, and balance in sociable and practical duties.
4. To develop careers through well-designed volunteer programs that support volunteers’ progression into meaningful careers in social care

Charity Today News source: https://www.charitytoday.co.uk/bring-volunteers-into-care-homes-to-improve-quality-of-life-says-report/