A DURSLEY care home is calling for keen bakers, pet owners, enthusiastic crafters and community minded people to volunteer.

The Order of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), which runs Henlow Court in Dursley, has launched a volunteer recruitment campaign to encourage people to give time to support their local care home.

The trust says its volunteers have always played an important role at the home and never more so than through the pandemic, helping to provide companionship, activities, and some normality for care home residents.

Current volunteers for the not-for-profit care trust use their skills and interests to help residents continue to do the things they enjoy.

Cate Jones, home manager at OSJCT Henlow Court in Dursley, said: “At Henlow Court our residents really enjoy their trips out into the community, so volunteer minibus drivers would be wonderful. We would also love to have some more Pets as Therapy volunteers. It’s smiles all round when a lovely dog visits us.

“Other things our volunteers might get involved in are playing Mah-jong, befriending, gardening, baking and crafts.

“One of our current volunteers hosts quiz sessions for residents, with questions he writes to make it relevant to their experiences.

"The quizzes often digress into a trip down memory lane and it’s hugely rewarding to see our residents thinking back to their younger years.”

Catherine Semmence, OSJCT head of volunteering, said: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a keen baker, an amateur artist, a crafter, a gardener, singer, a musician or if you just like sitting quietly with a crossword, playing a game of chess, or chatting with a friend over a coffee. These are all things our residents enjoy doing too. Why not join us and enjoy them together?"

Anyone can volunteer at OSJCT and use their existing skills and hobbies.

To find out more about volunteering at OSJCT visit: https://volunteer.osjct.co.uk/opportunities