Be on time/early - if you’re going to be late, please call the person you're helping to let them know. (It can be useful to plan your journey in advance so that you're able to leave plenty of time to get to there).

The objective is to be as lovely as possible and put the person you are helping at ease.

The onHand approach is relaxed and friendly - big smiles. 🥰

Information on how to do your first phone call to a resident can be found in this article. You'll be able to find how-to articles on almost all of the different tasks we do on our app. And if you can't find what you're looking for just give us a shout! We'll be happy to help.

On entering always offer to take off your shoes. (Be respectful. Even if it may be slightly untidier than what you're used to, you’re still entering someone else’s home!)

The easiest way to ease you, and the person you're visiting, in is small talk - you could talk about the area, how you got there, how long they’ve lived there, observations about their home e.g. family photos, other obvious/unusual mementoes.

If your first session is for befriending/getting to know each other, keep in mind that you may be the only visitor they will be seeing that day and they are likely used to other visitors (if any) being in and out very quickly. Take your time and don't rush. 😎

It's often easy to let them lead the conversation - typically they will start talking about themselves or their needs. Let this happen, whilst smiling, nodding and taking an interest in them, asking questions about the subjects they raise etc.

If your first session is to help with a specific task (e.g. shopping, gardening or another errand), after 5-10 minutes of chat (unless they get you stuck in straight away!) feel free to prompt them and ask them where they would like you to start.

If offered tea, we think it is polite to accept (again makes everyone relax) but do use your judgment i.e. if it's obvious someone will struggle to make it or if they offer the tea right before you're supposed to be going home.

Very often you won’t be offered tea - don’t worry, that’s normal too!

You may be asked “What happens next?” at some point, the answer to which is something like - “Well, that depends on you! If you are happy with how things have gone today, I can repeat the mission so that I can see you again next week!” Of course, this depends on whether you, the volunteer, have also enjoyed your time and think it is something that you would like to do again.