Skip to main content
Loading
Anchor Homes
  • Care homes Open Child Nav
    • Care homes
    • Open Supporting your needs
      • Supporting your needs
      • Residential care
      • Dementia care
      • Respite care and short breaks
      • Convalescence care
      • Care home fees and funding assistance
      • Guide to choosing a care home
      • Support for care professionals
      • Read more guides and advice
    • Open Living in an Anchor care home
      • Living in an Anchor care home
      • What could my new home be like?
      • Catering and mealtimes
      • Approach to wellness and activity
      • Caring professional staff
      • Welcoming new residents
    • Find a care home

      Use our Property Finder to browse our care homes by location.

      Care homes by region
      • East of England
      • London
      • Midlands
      • North East
      • North West
      • South East
      • South West
      • Yorkshire and the Humber
      • View all care home locations
  • Property for sale Open Child Nav
    • Property for sale
    • Open Your purchasing options
      • Your purchasing options
      • Visit the Anchor New Homes website
      • Older Persons Shared Ownership
      • Shared ownership with Anchor
      • Independent living developments
      • Retirement villages
      • Read more guides and advice
    • Open Peace of mind
      • Peace of mind
      • A beautiful home for your future
      • Hassle-free property ownership​
      • Wellbeing services
    • Find a property for sale

      Use our Property Finder to search for your next home by location.

      Our latest developments
      • The Signals Hook, Hampshire
      • The Standard Wigan, Greater Manchester
      • The Dials Hinckley, Leicestershire
      • The Chimes Bingley, West Yorkshire
      • Pemberley Place Bath, Somerset
      • The Landings Kings Hill, Kent
      • View all properties for sale
  • Property to rent Open Child Nav
    • Property to rent
    • Open Applying to live with Anchor
      • Applying to live with Anchor
      • How to apply
      • Who can apply?
      • Allocations and waiting lists
      • Transfers and mutual exchange
      • Read more guides and advice
    • Open What is included?
      • What is included?
      • A well maintained home for your future
      • 24-hour peace of mind
      • A pet friendly home
      • Health and wellbeing services
      • An inclusive and welcoming community
      • Opportunities to shape our services
    • Find a property to rent

      Use our Property Finder to search for your next home by location.

      Popular locations
      • Ipswich
      • Leeds
      • London
      • Manchester
      • West Midlands
      • View all properties for rent
  • Housing with extra care Open Child Nav
    • extra care
    • Open Living safely and independently
      • Living safely and independently
      • What is housing with extra care?
      • 24 hour emergency call service
      • A pet friendly home
      • Staying active and connected
      • How to apply
      • Support for health and social care professionals
      • Read more guides and advice
    • Find housing with extra care

      Use our Property Finder to search for your next home by location.

      Popular locations
      • London
      • North Yorkshire
      • County Durham
      • West Midlands
      • Lancashire
      • West Yorkshire
  • Existing residents Open Child Nav
    • Existing residents
    • Open Manage your home
      • Manage your home
      • Report a repair
      • Manage your payments
      • Transfers and mutual exchange
      • Ending your tenancy
      • Right to Manage
      • Selling your Anchor home
    • Open Resident services
      • Resident services
      • Anchor on Call
      • Anchor Resident Support Fund
      • Customer relations, complaints and feedback
      • Our performance
      • Support with anti-social behaviour​
      • Update your communication preferences
      • Location phonebook
    • Open Free wellbeing support
      • Free wellbeing support
      • Financial advice service
      • Fitness, movement and activity
      • Socialising and meeting new people
      • Digital skills
      • Online learning and courses
    • Open Be involved
      • Be involved
      • Resident groups and panels
      • Resident updates
      • Resident publications
      • Resident satisfaction surveys
      • Support Anchor's sustainability journey
      • Nominate someone for a Loving Later Life Award
      • Apply for a community grant
  • About us Open Child Nav
    • About us
    • Open About Anchor
      • About Anchor
      • Anchor Board
      • Anchor Executive Committee
      • Annual report
      • Governance
      • Our regulators
      • Publications
    • Open Our values and ambitions
      • Our values and ambitions
      • Diversity and inclusion
      • Building on relationships
      • Resident involvement
      • Resident wellbeing
      • Safeguarding
      • Environment and sustainability
      • Pet friendly homes
      • Our memberships
      • Awards
      • New developments
    • Open Media centre
      • Media centre
      • News
      • Influencing and campaigning
      • Research
      • Blogs
      • Events
      • Social media
      • Media contacts
    • Open Supporting our business plan
      • Supporting our business plan
      • Information for investors
      • Land acquisition
      • Become a supplier
  • Contact Open Child Nav
    Duplication inside header--secondary
  • Living with us
  • Careers
  • Living with us
  • Careers

Property Finder

View properties via county

Login to Anchor

Looking for a new home with Anchor? Register for a website account to save your favourite properties.

Enter your email address or username.
Enter the password that accompanies your email address.
Register now
Forgotten your password? Click here to reset

Search our website

Looking for property contact details? Use our property phonebook

  • Home
  • Media centre
  • Press room
  • Bring volunteers into care homes to improve quality of life says report

6 December 2022

Bring volunteers into care homes to improve quality of life says report

•    Care home staff keen for volunteer support and cite benefits including improved job satisfaction and reduced levels of work stress 
•    Research finds volunteering in social care settings boosts wellbeing, mood, and cognitive function amongst residents 
•    New report sets out recommendations for care homes to build on the contribution of volunteering to improve quality of life. 

Volunteering can play a vital role in improving both the working and living environment for staff and residents in care homes, claims a new report by Royal Voluntary Service.

The report, Reimagining Social Care – The Role of Active Citizenship, authored by Dr Julie MacInnes, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Kent and Dr Allison Smith, Head of Research & Insight at Royal Voluntary Service in partnership with Anchor – sets out to explore the contribution of volunteering to social care. 

The study identifies well-designed volunteer roles can have significant benefits for residents, their family, and staff. Overwhelmingly, care home staff felt that volunteers add ‘a lot of value’ for residents (94%) and staff (85%). Half cited reducing pressure on colleagues as one of the top contributions of volunteers in social care with 49% stating they freed up colleagues to spend time on care tasks. 

Almost all (98%) staff currently working with volunteers stated they ‘enjoy working with volunteers’ and 90% of staff not currently working with volunteers stated they would like to see more volunteers in care.

Those not currently working with volunteers identified companionship, mealtime support encouraging residents to eat and drink and leading on social activities as the main benefits they could provide.

For residents, the evidence highlights the key benefits of utilising well-designed volunteer roles as improved mood, cognitive function, and perceived improvements in the quality of care and greater family satisfaction with care. The main benefits for staff include improved job satisfaction and reduced levels of work stress.
 
Further findings suggest greater participation of volunteers in social care can support a new care model that puts the wellbeing of residents and staff at the centre. The report provides recommendations to care homes and the wider industry for using volunteering to enhance quality of care, support unpaid carers/families, improve staff morale and retention, and create a pipeline for the future workforce.

Data collected from both the UK public, and care home staff from Anchor, England’s largest not for profit provider of housing and care for older people, is highly supportive of the integrated model. Reporting not just a staff enthusiasm for volunteers but a public appetite to volunteer – despite or perhaps because of the well documented challenges facing the care sector. 

According to the research, more than a third (38%) of adults would consider volunteering in a care home with 5% planning to do so. Interest is higher amongst younger generations, with 52% of those 18-34 years old saying they would consider volunteering in the sector, 18% of this age cohort because they are thinking about a career in care.

Catherine Johnstone CBE, CEO at Royal Voluntary Service said:

We owe those working in social care and those living in care more support. This report sets out the contribution of volunteering to social care, with a focus on care homes, and our recommendations for delivering on this. The pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis continue to disproportionately impact on this sector. We want to see the benefits that volunteering has afforded the NHS at this difficult time, in terms of extra staff and patient support, extended to social care. Volunteering in social care can drive a more enriching model of care putting the wellbeing of staff and residents at the centre.

Sarah Jones, CEO at Anchor said:

Social care is highly skilled and specialised and can provide enormous job satisfaction for those working in the sector. In addition to the service our colleagues provide, volunteers in our care homes play an important role in helping older people live fulfilling lives. Crucially, for a sector facing workforce challenges, we have a number of colleagues who began their careers with us as volunteers. I very much hope this report helps encourage more volunteering in the care sector to enhance the lives of the people we serve.

There are some challenges that need to be addressed, however. Nearly half of care home staff referenced a lack of clarity about volunteer roles and variation in how volunteers perform tasks. 

Reimagining Social Care – The Role of Active Citizenship launches as Royal Voluntary Service continues its commitment to inspire and enable people to give the gift of voluntary service to improve the nation’s health and wellbeing, resilience, confidence and connections.

Beyond findings, the report 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

Following the undertaking of the research, Royal Voluntary Service aims work with communities to mobilise voluntary action at scale in this sector, and to help grow a diverse range of volunteering opportunities in care.

Reimagining Social Care – The Role of Active Citizenship is the fourth in the Kickstarting a Volunteering Revolution series of research-led reports by Royal Voluntary Service in which leading voluntary sector experts examine the future of volunteering. Previous reports have explored the barriers to volunteering among different groups, how volunteering can help counter health inequalities, and how it can improve social mobility.

Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with volunteers supporting thousands of vulnerable people and the NHS. The charity also works in local communities running home libraries, companionship support, Home from Hospital services and patient transport. Its Virtual Village Hall provides online activities and classes to promote wellbeing and keep people active. 

To make a donation to support the charity’s work, visit here. For any volunteering opportunities at Anchor, visit here.

Read more from Anchor

Simon Marks Court care home praised by care regulator
23 May 2025

Simon Marks Court care home praised by care regulator

A Leeds care home is delighted to have been classed as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the second highest rating possible.

Mayor of Felixstowe unveils new wellbeing room at The Firs to support dementia care
22 May 2025

Mayor of Felixstowe unveils new wellbeing room at The Firs to support dementia care

The Firs care home in Felixstowe celebrated the opening of its new Namaste Room, a multi-sensory room to enhance the wellbeing of residents, including those living with dementia.

Skelton Court care home praised by care regulator
21 May 2025

Skelton Court care home praised by care regulator

A Skelton-in-Cleveland care home is delighted to have been classed as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the second highest rating possible.

Residents and guests celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day at The Wharf
19 May 2025

Residents and guests celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day at The Wharf

On 7 May, members of the local community joined residents at The Wharf development in Rochester, Kent for its Victory in Europe (VE) Day celebrations.

Anchor steps back in time to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day at The Chimes, Bingley
19 May 2025

Anchor steps back in time to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day at The Chimes, Bingley

On 7 May, members of the local community joined residents at The Chimes development in Bingley, West Yorkshire for its Victory in Europe (VE) Day celebrations.

Trinity Lodge care home hosts 4 day event to celebrate VE Day
14 May 2025

Trinity Lodge care home hosts 4 day event to celebrate VE Day

Residents and colleagues at Trinity Lodge care home came together for four days of commemorative celebrations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

Sara Thomson appointed as Interim Chief Risk Officer for Anchor
13 May 2025

Sara Thomson appointed as Interim Chief Risk Officer for Anchor

Anchor is delighted to welcome Sara Thomson as Interim Chief Risk Officer (CRO).

Hurst Park Court care home praised by care regulator
13 May 2025

Hurst Park Court care home praised by care regulator

The Liverpool care home is delighted to have been classed as ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the second highest rating possible.

Shaping a career in care: The role and responsibilities of the Service Improvement team
13 May 2025

Shaping a career in care: The role and responsibilities of the Service Improvement team

Asa Johnson is Anchor’s National Service Improvement Manager and leads a team of Service Improvement Advisors. In his blog, he shares how he came into the role and his day-to-day responsibilities.

The importance of personalised dementia care
12 May 2025

The importance of personalised dementia care

Asa Johnson, our Service Improvement Manager, shares his expert view on personalised dementia care in a featured article on the Care Choices website.

Seven Anchor care homes across the Northwest unite for VE Day 80th anniversary celebration
12 May 2025

Seven Anchor care homes across the Northwest unite for VE Day 80th anniversary celebration

Seven Anchor care homes from across the Northwest came together to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Generations unite to celebrate 80th anniversary of VE Day at Skelton Court care home
9 May 2025

Generations unite to celebrate 80th anniversary of VE Day at Skelton Court care home

Residents and colleagues at Skelton Court care home in Skelton-in-Cleveland marked the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with an intergenerational celebration.

Wetherby Manor care home celebrates 80th anniversary of VE Day
9 May 2025

Wetherby Manor care home celebrates 80th anniversary of VE Day

Residents and colleagues at Wetherby Manor care home in Wetherby came together in celebration to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

Mayflower Court care home throws garden tea party to commemorate VE Day 80th anniversary
9 May 2025

Mayflower Court care home throws garden tea party to commemorate VE Day 80th anniversary

A care home in Southampton held a garden tea party to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

John Brookes shares how an apprenticeship helped his career progression at Anchor
9 May 2025

John Brookes shares how an apprenticeship helped his career progression at Anchor

John, who was born and raised in Walsall, started as a Catering Assistant Apprentice at our Harden Hall care home in 2018 and has thrived in his role, progressing to Chef Manager.

Townend care home holds garden party to commemorate VE Day 80th anniversary
8 May 2025

Townend care home holds garden party to commemorate VE Day 80th anniversary

Townend care home in Keighley held a garden party to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day.

Without these classes I would feel lost
7 May 2025

Without these classes I would feel lost

Linda Kelly, a resident at Sutherland Court in Penge, shares her experience of using the Be Active service available to residents to support with physical wellbeing.

How Extra Care helped one resident gain back their independence
7 May 2025

How Extra Care helped one resident gain back their independence

Hear from Mick, one of our residents, about how moving to Anchor Extra Care Housing helped him regain his independence after a brain injury.

This website uses cookies which track activity so that you get the best possible experience. By continuing to use this website we will assume you are happy and cookies will be set. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

 
Award 2025 - Top 20 care home group carehome.co.uk
We are a living wage employer
Inclusive employers standard gold accreditation 2023
RSPC pawprints housing award 2024 platinum
House proud pledge plus
Menopause friendly
Diversity network accreditation
For people not profit - NCF
  • Care homes
  • Property for sale
  • Property to rent
  • Housing with extra care
  • Contact us
  • Guides & support
  • News & updates
  • Media
  • Careers
  • Investors
  • Become a supplier
  • Land acquisition

Newsletter

Keep updated on Anchor news, events and exclusive offers

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement
  • myHR staff portal

© 2025 Anchor Hanover Group

Share this page...

Share via social media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Whats App
  • Facebook messenger
  • Email