Friendly Group volunteers

Deafblind UK ,
Colchester, Essex
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Overview

Job Description

Make a difference today! Come and join the fun .... We need friendly, outgoing and welcoming individuals to assist at our local community group meet ups. Our members really enjoy getting together having a good chat about all sorts of things over a cup of tea and a biscuit; they also like to invite speakers to come along to the meetings to provide them with helpful advice and information across a wide range of subjects. From time to time our members will arrange a trip out together usually 2-3 social outings each year to places of interest. How can you help... Our Friendly Group Volunteers are a fantastic support to our members, but you can also benefit immensely by gaining new friendships and share this wonderful experience together. We would like you to come along to the group meetings each month and support the members by chatting to them, making them cups of tea/coffee, assisting in planned activities, helping to guide them in and out of the building at the beginning and the end of the meetings, to and from the toilet if required and accompany the group when they go out on the social outings. Guiding the deafblind members will be required and full training is provided. You may also be required to push a member's wheelchair. Could you give a few hours a month to assist in a fun packed meet up? Having sight and hearing loss can at times be isolating and lonely, however getting people together to enjoy each others company will ensure our members don't face this. A majority of our members at the group will communicate with clear speech, or may have other communication methods. Yes this is for me.....How do I apply? Please click on the 'Apply' button and complete the short application form, What is a Group Volunteer? Deafblind UK have many Groups set up to support those with sight and hearing loss. The Groups aim is to be inclusive and supportive, ensuring a safe environment encouraging local members to attend regularly thus reducing isolation and loneliness. There are many roles to choose from within the group environments including: Group Co-ordinator Coffee Morning Co-ordinator Activities Co-ordinator Group Admin Group Finance Named First Aider General Group or Coffee Group Volunteer As a Group Volunteer you will provide support to our social groups or coffee mornings enabling members to widen their social networks and friendships. This role can include: * Preparation of drinks * Communication and guiding support, * Group and one to one conversations and assisting with equipment * Organise monthly social groups, including activity planning and member transport supporting Deafblind UK members * Welcome and support any visiting speakers, activity providers, etc. * Organise or promote regular coffee mornings or meet ups * Keep accurate finance records and balance of accounts paid in as subs by attendees. * Opening and secure closing of premises. What's involved? As a Group Volunteer you are there to help alongside others with a combination of the following activities: * To supervise group members and support them to engage in the activities within the group * To take charge of communication and guiding support as needed with deafblind individuals, enabling all deafblind members to be fully involved in the group's activities * To support the development of new activities within the group * To promote involvement in presentations, and other activities offered to the group from various organisations * Where appropriate to assist with the preparation and distribution of refreshments within the group * Encourage conversation between group members. * Collect subs and complete attendance registers * Responsible for all aspects of supervising, organising and facilitating each session, including setting up the room where the activity will take place; organising refreshments and biscuits; starting and maintaining discussions. * To provide communication and guiding support as needed to enable all deafblind members to participate fully. * To provide regular updates of your volunteering activity to your named Deafblind UK contact * Responsible for organising and planning all group activities with the agreement of the members What times do I need to commit to? This role requires regular monthly attendance, days and times vary depending on location. The role will suit people who ... * Are confident with a warm, friendly and engaging manner * Can empathise with the pressures on deafblind people, their families and understand the need for support * Have a sense of humour * Are self-motivated with an ability to work on own initiative * Have excellent communication and organisational skills with the ability to work on own initiative * Are reliable, confident and responsible individual, with enthusiasm and effective interpersonal skill. * Are able to demonstrate sensitivity and understanding of the needs of people who have sight and hearing loss * Have a willingness to learn communication and guiding techniques to meet the needs

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