A CHARITY has encouraged people to sign up as volunteers and support their new project to visit people in residential care and uphold the person's rights acting in their best interests.

Onside, which works across Herefordshire, is looking for people to take on the role of a relevant persons representative (RPR). Safeguarding the rights of vulnerable people who don't have the mental capacity to consent to care or treatment.

This involves visiting people with dementia, learning disabilities, and who are assessed to have a lack of capacity to consent to living in a residential care. As a RPR the volunteer would be visiting a person just once every six weeks for no more than one hour and free RPR training would be given to carry out the role.

Volunteers would have the benefit of a specialist Mental Health Capacity Advocacy team to support them along with a dedicated Volunteer Team.

Onside's volunteer manager, Claire Watkins, said "Our volunteers give their time, their passion and enthusiasm, this is a great time to volunteer in this new and exciting role.

"This particular role is very worthwhile and extremely rewarding."

Volunteers are ordinary people of all ages and backgrounds they just need to be good listeners and have some time to give.

If you can picture yourself in the role of an Onside volunteer please call Claire Watkins on 01905 27525 or email claire.watkins@onside-advocacy.org.uk to find out more.