‘Volunteers are vital to our success and do so much to help enrich the lives of older people in our care,” says Tracy Garwood, Volunteer Coordinator at the Homestead, a not-for-profit care home, housing and support services for older people in Carterton.

The Homestead was built in 2008 as a purpose-built building over three floors, and supports 68 individuals with nursing and dementia care needs.

It is part of MHA whose services are founded on love, compassion and respect and focuses on nurturing a person’s spiritual and physical well-being.

In the entrance hall there is a small café where residents can relax and unwind with a cup of tea or coffee.

A large garden room, which looks out over the therapeutic garden can be booked, free of charge for the day, and wholesome snacks and refreshments can be supplied for a small charge. An individual’s needs can change from day to day, particularly for people living with dementia.

The ethos and structure of Homestead ensures a flexible approach to care and the staff treat all residents with the dignity that they would wish for themselves and respect each person as a unique individual.

But it is the volunteers who make a real difference. They are needed to help residents make crafts, assist with making tea and coffee, to talk about past and current affairs, to assist the residents to read and write letters and many more activities.

Whether you are trying to find somewhere to undertake your Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme service, or want a career in care, the Homestead needs you. If you have time to spare or are in between employment, maybe you want to seek a new challenge, are unemployed, or are trying to get back into caring and need some voluntary experience, the Homestead would like to hear from you.

For further information please call Tracy Garwood on 01993 845754 or pop round to The Homestead, 24 Flax Crescent, Carterton, OX18 1NA, next to the Country Park play area.