Volunteers at the Heart of Good Company
- The Good Company People
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
Good Company is built on people. Every Club, Circle and conversation depends on volunteers who bring their warmth, skills and life experience to help others feel connected. They are not just part of what we do, they are the heart of it.
Thanks to a three year grant from The Headley Trust, we are now able to expand our Volunteer Training and Inclusion Programme. This support means we can welcome more volunteers, strengthen the training we offer, and make sure that every person who gives their time feels confident, supported and valued.
What volunteering looks like
Volunteers are at the centre of everything we do. Some run Clubs each week, others greet people at the door, or sit alongside someone who is nervous about joining. Many are carers or older adults themselves. Last year our volunteers gave more than 5,700 hours of their time to Good Company. Members describe them as the people who make it feel like family.
Paul, who first came along to play the piano at a Supper Club and is now a regular volunteer, told us:
“Good Company provides huge support for so many people living with dementia and their carers, as well as creating relaxed spaces where people can simply meet and enjoy themselves.”
Wendy, one of our Lead Hosts, explained why she joined:“
Everything! I have always needed to be surrounded by friends and the idea that people live in loneliness is heartbreaking to me.”
Kate, who joined after moving to the area during Covid, shared her experience:
“The name really says it all. It is the meeting of like minded good people, in good company. We all take and add something positive to the experience.”
These are the voices that remind us what volunteering makes possible. Not just activities, but continuity, joy and reassurance.
Why training matters
We know that good support starts with people who feel confident, calm and well prepared. Our training is human and practical. It covers dementia awareness, safeguarding and inclusive communication, but also the skills that help people bring their whole selves to the role. Volunteers learn how to build trust, hold boundaries with kindness, and create spaces that feel welcoming rather than clinical.
As one Host put it:
“It made me feel ready, not just trained. There is a real difference.”
We use lived experience and hands-on learning to keep our sessions grounded in everyday reality. That might mean using gloves to show what it feels like when grip is harder, or reflecting together on how to respond when someone’s behaviour changes. Volunteers also take part in reflective sessions and peer mentoring so they feel supported themselves.
This approach equips volunteers to host Clubs, co-facilitate Circles, or offer one to one support through our Concierge service. It ensures that as Good Company grows, the sense of warmth, safety and belonging grows with it.
Looking ahead
With Headley’s support we will recruit and train 40 new volunteers each year, create new resources and films, and develop a toolkit that can be used by other communities. This investment will strengthen the roots of Good Company and allow us to reach hundreds more older adults and carers in the years to come.
Thank you once again to The Headley Trust who have supported our programme for the next three years. Their priorities are to strengthen communities, widen opportunities for older people, and promote practical approaches that make a real difference to daily life. Their support means we can continue to grow Good Company and reach more people who might otherwise be facing life alone.
