•Provide sighted guide assistance on a regular basis to people living with sight loss – you will be matched with a s
My Guide is a service we offer that allows volunteers to become sighted guides. You will undergo training and learn to safely guide someone with sight loss, navigating environments and building self-confidence – all whilst increasing social interaction with those who may not otherwise wish to leave their home.
What does sighted guiding involve?
•Provide sighted guide assistance on a regular basis to people living with sight loss – you will be matched with a suitable partner.
•Agree on when and where you will provide the sighted guide, as part of a mutually agreed activity plan.
•You must undertake all elements of My Guide training (approximately two days).
•Always maintain professional boundaries and adhere to safeguarding procedures.
You must be able to give - on average – a few hours a week, and be aged 18 years old or over. This role requires that you have an Enhanced Disclosure.
The Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland Growchapel project based in Drumchapel, is a Glasgow City Council initiative aimed at improving health and wellbeing through the benefits of creating and managing a wellbeing garden. Growchapel is a welcoming, inclusive site for the people of Drumchapel to enjoy, relax, and grow within. It is a place where everyone is included, where diversity and creativity are valued, encouraged, and always respected. It is a kind space, which supports wellbeing for us, our families, and the environment. Being a Wellbeing Garden Volunteer, you will support the delivery of the Growchapel project and work in partnership with the CHSS Health Defence team to manage the wellness garden. You will get to meet new people in your community and have the satisfaction of knowing you are making a valuable contribution to the awareness of CHSS.
Are you looking for something new to do? Could you help people with sight or hearing loss to take
part in their community?
North East Sensory Services (NESS) has opportunities for volunteers to assist as Volunteer Drivers in
Dundee & Angus. Volunteers are particularly needed in the Arbroath area. Training, support and out of pocket expenses will be provided. Volunteers must be willing to complete a PVG check.
For more information, contact Cilmi Eldho, Volunteer Coordinator on 03452 712 345 or 07720 811 896 or
cilmi.eldho@nesensoryservices.orgryservices.org
One to One Volunteer Befriender
Person Specification
Essential Advantageous
Personal Qualities
• Warm, friendly and encouraging
• Interested in supporting people
• Reliable, honest and trustworthy
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Empathic and understanding attitude
• Conscientious and self-motivated
• Able to keep calm in stressful situations
• Flexible
• Clean driving licence and access to a car
• Good sense of humour
• Happy to be in the presence of dogs (Guide Dogs)
Experience
• Previous one to one volunteering experience
• Previous experience of people with sight loss and hearing loss
Knowledge/Understanding
• Knowledge and understanding of issues faced by people with sensory loss
Skills
• Good communication/
Interpersonal skills
• Good listening skills
• Ability to recognise and respect other people’s boundaries
• Ability to recognise and apply own limits and boundaries
• Ability to attend and make use of support and supervision
• Open to ongoing training as required
• Ability to promote confidence and independence
Values
• Accepting the person for who they are – being non-judgemental
• Respecting others as being of equal worth
• Respecting other’s choices, lifestyles and rights
• Not imposing own values and beliefs
• Appreciating differences (e.g. race, culture, gender etc.)
• Able to view someone as a person, not a stereotype
ROLE DESCRIPTION GROUP VOLUNTEER
.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for friendly and reliable people who enjoy the company of others. Sensory Awareness training will be provided and so no previous experience of working with people who has sight/hearing loss is required. A PVG check will be required for this role, and we would be looking for a minimum of 6 months commitment.
Tasks
• To provide company and emotional support
• To assist service user to develop social contacts by joining community events and social groups
• To support a service user with shopping
• To provide telephonic befriending when necessary
• To accompany service user to café or for a healthy walk
• To Commit minimum 6 hours per month.
We are looking for volunteer/s who drive and can assist our service users with transport. But not driving would not exclude you from being suitable for the role.
Volunteers are particularly required in the Arbroath area.
Training & Support
• Induction training will be provided by Cilmi Eldho. North East Sensory Service’s (NESS) Volunteer Coordinator in Angus.
• Sensory Awareness Training will be provided by Libby Hillhouse, the Training and Information Officer
• Support in the voluntary role will also be provided by Cilmi Eldho.
• Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed through NESS.
Contact for Application form:
Cilmi Eldho
NESS Volunteer Coordinator (Angus)
07720 811896, cilmi.eldho@nesensoryservices.org
Group Volunteer Person Specification
Personal Qualities
• Warm, friendly and encouraging
• Interested in supporting people
• Reliable, honest and trustworthy
• Able to maintain confidentiality
• Empathic and understanding attitude
• Willingness to learn
• Conscientious and self-motivated
• Able to keep calm in stressful situations
• Flexible
• Happy to be in the presence of dogs (Guide Dogs attend with some members)
• Clean driving licence and access to a car
• Good sense of humour
Experience
• Previous volunteering experience
• Previous experience of people with sight loss and hearing loss
Knowledge/Understanding
• Knowledge and understanding of issues faced by people with sensory loss
Skills
• Good communication/
Interpersonal skills
• Good listening skills
• Ability to recognise and respect other people’s boundaries
• Ability to recognise and apply own limits and boundaries
• Ability to attend and make use of support and supervision
• Open to ongoing training as required
• Commitment to work within the group’s and organisation’s boundaries
• Ability to promote confidence and independence
Values
• Accepting the person for who they are – being non-judgemental
• Respecting others as being of equal worth
• Respecting other’s choices, lifestyles and rights
• Not imposing own values and beliefs
• Appreciating differences (e.g. race, culture, gender etc.)
• Able to view someone as a person, not a stereotype
We are looking for friendly and reliable people who enjoy the company of others. Induction training will be provided and so no previous experience of groups or of sight/hearing loss is required. A PVG check will be required for this role and we would be looking for a minimum of 6 months commitment.
Tasks
• To support the group to achieve what they wish to do
• To assist group members with refreshments
• To assist group to plan and organise activities/speakers
• To assist group members to find seats and negotiate the room
• To interact with group members and develop positive relationships
• To encourage the group to interact with one another
• To assist with money handling as required
We are hoping that we can also secure volunteer/s who drive and can assist with transport to the group for a limited number of group members. But not driving would not exclude you from being suitable for the role.
Training & Support
• Induction training will be provided by Cilmi Eldho. North East Sensory Service’s (NESS) Volunteer Coordinator in Angus.
• Sensory Awareness Training will be provided by Libby Hillhouse, the Training and Information Officer
• Support in the voluntary role will also be provided by Cilmi Eldho.
• Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed through NESS.
Volunteers are particularly needed in the Arbroath area.
Contact for Application form: Cilmi Eldho, NESS Volunteer Coordinator (Angus), 07720 811896, cilmi.eldho@nesensoryservices.org
Do you own a friendly, outgoing, though not too boisterous dog who loves to have a fuss made of them? Then perhaps, you might like to thank about registering them in our THERAPET visiting service. You heard of it? Let me tell you about it.
For some years now it has been recognised, more nd more, that pets are good for us! Indeed it has been scientifically proved that the mere action of stroking a dog, cat, slows down the heartbeat, reduces blood pressure, and makes someone who has already suffered a heart attack much less likely to have another.
Through no fault of their own, many people find themselves deprived of the companionship of a much loved dog. It may be they have had to go into sheltered housing, residential care, a long stay hospital etc. The same applies to children and adults who have an additional support need and those suffering from a terminal illness.
THERAPETS come in all breeds, cross-breeds, or 57 variety mongrels! They can be small, medium or large. The only vital statistic is a steady and happy temperament. The dogs are approved for temperament and general stability being accepted and are not considered until at least one year old.
Volunteer owners must become actual members of CANINE CONCERN SCOTLAND TRUST - mainly so that we can be sure of insurance cover - although happily so far we only know of one, very minor accident, a happy day's tail sweeping a vase from a low table.
Volunteers must be willing to make a regular commitment to visit, it need not be very often, once a fortnight, once a month or whenever, but the visits must be regular because the residents and patients look forward to them so much and are disappointed if they suddenly cease.
Sometimes small miracles occur - people who have never spoken, turned their faces to the wall in fact - magically come to life at the first appearance of a dog in a ward! This to the surprise and delight of the nursing staff, in many cases the dogs and owners provide some light relief for them too. Sadly, it has to be said that some of the residents or patients the THERAPETS are their only visitors. We like to encourage them to regard the doggy visitors as their very own. There is no charge for this service which is organised and carried out entirely by volunteers. We fund raise in various ways to keep it going.
More than anything else, we need MORE VOLUNTEERS! The service has proved so popular that they demand has overtaken the supply. So, if you think this might be for you, or once importantly, for your dog, please do contact us for more detail and perhaps an application form to register your dog.
Do you have the skills and expertise to enhance and improve the lives of people with a visual impairment? Dundee Blind & Partially Sighted Society are looking for enthusiastic, community-minded and experienced individuals of any age and background with skills to help our charity to succeed by becoming a Board Member. The Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance of the organisation and we are seeking to recruit new Directors who will strengthen and complement our existing Board members.
Dundee Blind & Partially Sighted Society is one of Dundee’s oldest charities and their objective is to work towards a world where all people who are blind or partially sighted enjoy the same rights, opportunities and responsibilities as everyone else. The Society offers its members an advice and support service and runs social activities to help combat social isolation.
If you have commitment, experience, passion, drive and enthusiasm, would like to support the organisation meets its legal, financial and ethical obligations and can spare a few hours every second month then we would be delighted to hear from you.
DBPSS regards its volunteers as a vital support in the delivery of its services and social activities for its visually impaired Members. Our rewarding roles are a great way to give back and get involved with your local community.
We are currently looking for enthusiastic, helpful, and willing to get involved volunteers to join our small friendly team. The roles will involve assisting the team to enable them to deliver the activities, and volunteers would be required to help prepare and serve refreshments, assist in the activities (bingo calling experience would be great!), sit and chat with the Members, help us in the kitchen and the dreaded tidying up after activities! A full driving licence would also be helpful.
In this role you will support a person with sight loss to get out and about in their local community, building self-confidence, increasing social interaction, and promoting independence.
What you’ll be doing
We rely on volunteers like you to help us improve the lives of people with sight loss. In this role your support will include:
· Delivering sighted guide assistance, using skills provided in our training, on a regular basis to someone with a visual or vision impairment to help increase their confidence, varying from 3 months to 12+ months.
· Meeting at agreed times/location based on the mutually agreed activity plan.
· Maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to safeguarding procedures.
· Providing regular feedback on partnership progress and highlighting any issues that may arise in the partnership to your key contact.
• To give talks when requested to local organisations and groups within a 15 mile radius of the your home
• Keeping up to date with Guide Dogs news and key messages
• Talks should be natural and enthusiastic, tailored to the audience and following guidelines on current key messages
• Passing any donations given for talks to the Mobility Team as per guidelines
• Attending cheque presentations when requested by the local Mobility Team
• Informing your Mobility Team Support Worker of any requests to do talks using the speaker cards supplied
• Encouraging local organisations and groups to volunteer or fundraise on behalf of Guide Dogs