Join us by investing your time in doing something that makes a world of difference to people with sight loss.
Our volunteers assist with our Adults Social and Leisure program, which supports our service users to access a wide range of social activities, which include but not limited to: walks, theatre/museum trips, craft sessions and café meet up’s.
Our Volunteers enable people with sight loss or people who have very little social interaction to feel comfortable and confident to attend our events. This could be by greeting and supporting them at an in-door/outdoor event. Many of our volunteers and service users build up a great rapport and a valuable and trusting relationship.
What you will do: To provide support during our social and leisure activities. This could be assisting a walk in a park, theatre/museum trip or making refreshments at one of our events. Support service users and the Social Project Worker during indoor activities such as a craft or wellbeing session. Interact with people and sight guide people in and around the venue and location that we would be located at.
Times Expected: Ad-hoc volunteering as and when required at our monthly events. We have a seasonal event program running through-out the year. The hours we require support, range from 2-3 hours per event, this could be for example: 9.30am -12.30pm or for an afternoon or evening for a theatre show, these hours would be more likely range from 2-4 hours.
Skills you will need to have:
– Have a warm and friendly manner, be a good listener, positive and up-lifting
– Clear and empathic communicator
– Enjoy nature and being outdoors, visiting various locations
– Crafting skills could come in handy for our craft sessions, but not essential.
– Light food and drink preparation
– We do not require you to drive anyone in your own car. If you are able to drive to events this is a bonus, however, it is not essential as we do aim to make all of our events accessible and close to public transport
Sight Support Derbyshire Induction Details: You will attend an induction, which will provide you with an awareness and understanding of the main types of sight loss, the impact of visual impairments and how best you can support someone, including a sight guiding demonstration. We will also go through expectations as a volunteer and how you will be supported by us.
Specific Role Training Details: You will be accompanied by Victoria our Social Activities Worker during these events, who will provide advice, support and guidance as and when you require it.
Expenses: We will reimburse your out of pocket expenses in line with our expenses policy.
Before you start: You will need to provide us with the names of two people who can provide a character reference for you.
Our offices locations and times
Derby: 2A Wentworth House, Vernon Gate, Derby, DE1 1UR.
Our opening hours are Monday – Thursday 8.30am to 4.30pm.
Chesterfield: 1B St Margaret’s Drive, Chesterfield S40 4SY
Our opening hours are Monday – Thursday 8am to 4pm.
Contact:
If you would like to discuss this volunteer opportunity then please contact us on enquiries@sightsupportderbyshire.org.uk or ring 01332 292262.
This is an excellent opportunity to help enhance the quality of life for visually impaired people throughout Derbyshire.