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What is Contact?
CONTACT is a student run charity providing a visiting service for the elderly and house bound in the Cambridge area. Visitors are students at Cambridge University and Anglia Ruskin University. We visit people isolated in their homes by disability or mobility problems - individuals who might not otherwise have any contact with the outside world. Our visitors spend one hour a week during term with their visitee, offering conversation and companionship.
To find out more about our work and how it can help the community and you, click here.
CONTACT is a charity registered with the Charity Commissioners, No. 800834.
What does CONTACT visiting involve?
The average visitor goes about once a week to visit a particular individual. This person will not have been assigned at random: in many cases we are able to pair people up with someone who shares their interests. A typical visit lasts one hour, and may involve reading to the visitee, helping him or her with simple tasks or just chatting. Although problems rarely arise, the Contact Worker and Committee are always there to offer support and help sort out any difficulties.
How many people are involved?
There are currently 70 visitors, 25 waiting for a visitor and 14 who only wish to join the parties! With volunteers graduating and leaving Cambridge every year, we are always on the lookout for new volunteers. This year a lot of our excellent visitors will be graduating, so all new volunteers are very welcome.
*****How do I get started?*****
Applying to be a Contact visitor is easy. Simply follow the steps below.
1. Download an application form
2. Bring your application form and identification documents to the Contact Office (#8 on this map.). If possible, come on Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon. If not please call 01223 761699 to arrange another time.
3. If you are have any problems whatsoever, feel free to email.
Having trouble downloading the form? Try right clicking then choosing "Save As" and save the form to your computer.
As of October 1, 2005, CONTACT will be introducing new procedures for vetting volunteers. In order to protect our visitees, as well as to ensure that CONTACT keeps pace with 'best practice' for the Third Sector, we will be asking prospective volunteers to undergo a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. This is a lot less sinister than it sounds! The following downloads provide further information:
What is CRB and what do I need to do about it?
Contact's CRB Code of Practice.
As a registered charity working with vulnerable and/or handicapped adults, CONTACT meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
