Start Volunteering

'Give a little time, make a big difference.'

This is so true! Just a couple of hours a week doing something with a disabled child as simple as shopping, cooking or playing pool can make a dramatic difference to their lives and yours.

If you have a positive attitude, are enthusiastic and think you could be a good role model then we want you!

You don't need experience, we offer training and will pay for your travel expenses.

CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION FORM.

DOWNLOAD A VOLUNTEER INFORMATION PACK (PDF).

There are lots of different ways to volunteer...

FOR FULL DESCRIPTIONS OF OUR VOLUNTEER ROLES CLICK HERE.TO HIDE THE ROLE DESCRIPTIONS AGAIN, CLICK HERE.

• Befriending role:
  To provide non-judgemental support to a disabled young person (YP) aged 0 - 18 to do social activities that you both enjoy. We ask that you commit to spend 2 - 4 hours a week with the YP you are matched, providing company and support to enable greater independence from their parents or carers and a fuller participation in social and leisure activities.

• 18+ volunteer:
  To support a group of disabled young people aged 18 - 25 to access social and leisure activities in Bath & North East Somerset. The group meets to either have a meal, play skittles or go out to do another activity. Common activities include bowling, walks, pub visits and meals out. Your main objective will be to spend time with the young people and ensure their safety enabling them to do social activities without their parents or primary carers. You will be responsible to the group co-ordinator.

• Dinner group volunteer:
  To support a group of disabled young people (YP) aged 13 - 18 to cook a meal together. Your main objective is to spend time with the young people and provide a safe environment for the young people to cook, eat and socialise. This enables the YP to socialise without the support of their parents or primary carers. You will be responsible to the group co-ordinator.

• Skittles group volunteer:
  To support a group of disabled young people (YP) aged 13 - 18 to play a skittles match and have a pub meal together. Your main objective is to spend time with the young people and provide a safe environment for them to enjoy their group in. This enables the YP to socialise without the support of their parents or primary carers. You will be responsible to the group co-ordinator.

• Activity researcher:
  To look for local activities and events that would be of interest to families and volunteers. Regularly send information to the appropriate area co-ordinator which they will add to the website activities page.

So why volunteer?

Most of us don't think about how valuable our social life is, our ability to go and see our friends if we just need to get out for an hour.

Many disabled children can't access social activities without the support of their carer. They often can't be left without support for even a short time leading to isolation for both child and carer. This can potentially lead on to any number of mental health difficulties.

Just the opportunity to get out with someone different and access the community in ways that most of us take for granted can have a hugely positive impact.

And most of all it should be fun!

CLICK HERE TO HAVE A LOOK AT A FEW MORE OF THE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING.TO HIDE THE LIST OF BENEFITS AGAIN, CLICK HERE.

Research done into the benefits of volunteering show many reasons why people volunteer, have a look below for a couple...

• Building confidence and self-esteem, making new friends and becoming part of a community.
  This is the number one reason why most people volunteer. Meeting new like minded people and working within a community boosts self esteem and brings out the best in you!

• Make a difference to others and yourself!
  There are even health benefits to volunteering! There has been evidence to show that volunteering brings you a sense of well being, a stronger immune system, speedier recovery from surgery and a better nights sleep!

• Develop new skills by having new opportunities and challenges.
  We all need a bit of a change now and again and you never know what new skills you will discover you have by doing something different!

• Use your existing skills to benefit others.
  Spread the benefit of all the hard work you have put into developing any specialist skills by offering them to someone else. Other people will really value your input, not just your present employer.

• Introduce a bit of adventure into your routine!
  Inject a bit of fun and spontaneity into your life and see how much better you feel!

• Improve career opportunities and employability.
  Volunteering lets you road test different kinds of work and get a sense of how a different organisation works from the inside. Not only this but employers look out for volunteering experience too: 73% of employers would employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one who doesn't and 94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills. Volunteering is also a great way of getting a reference for future employment.