Hi Emma,
We have a similar situation with a resident who keeps requesting to do “volunteer” work or paid work such as picking up weeds or taking out the bins. The resident has also disclosed that it would “get the job seekers off his back”.
We have not offered this resident paid or voluntary work. The resident was taking other people’s bins our for a short time as a kind gesture, but had a falling out with one resident so stopped taking them out which meant the bins weren’t then being collected and this caused a social issue which we then had to get involved with and sort out. We also have said that if he wants to pull weeds out, he is more than welcome to do so, as are all residents who enjoy the outdoor space.
We weren’t prepared to have him down as a volunteer of the charity or as a paid one as it causes employment issues down the line should the resident need to be asked to leave, pass away, or indeed impact his benefits entitlement.
My unpopular view is that if the resident is willing and happy to pick up litter, weeds, and take out bins at a larger scale almshouse as a volunteer, why not apply for a job to do this at the council. We suspect it’s due to any payment involved reducing benefit entitlement.