Linking people with learning       

        disabilities and volunteers for

      activities both enjoy

 














                        
Scottish   Charity No. SC030132

Company Ltd by Guarantee, No. SC297772

Carers Section         Download Registration Form

Would the adult with learning disabilities for whom you care like to be linked one-to-one with a volunteer so they could meet up regularly and do social and leisure activities they both enjoy?  Interest Link has around 230 registered users across the Borders, 100 of whom are currently linked one-to-one with volunteers. 

 Click here to see a flowchart of How the Linking Process Works

The link activities are entirely up to the person you care for and their volunteer. They could include, for example,  golf, bowling, swimming, shopping, crafts, music, going for a walk or drive, going to the cinema, a concert or the pub or just being visited at home.

We have also recently started working with Borders College on two fronts: We are looking for students from the College or Heriot-Watt to link with people on the Lifeskills and Workwise courses. Also, any Evening Class student who volunteers to support a fellow student with learning disabilities will have their fees paid.   For full details see the Buddies page

 Your role in the link
As a carer you would consulted at every stage.

¨      You would be consulted during registration on whether a link would be practical and what activities would be realistic for the service user to do. 

¨      You would always be fully involved when the Co-ordinator came to visit the service user initially and at the introduction of a volunteer.

¨      You would be the liaison between the volunteer and service user in arranging visits and trips out.

¨      The volunteer would always check in with you before collecting the service user  and ensure that the service user is wearing suitable clothes for a trip out and has any money that might be needed.

¨      You could let  the volunteer know that they are appreciated if it is difficult for the service user to do so because of communication problems.

¨      The co-ordinator would always be available to give support and advice. They will send you and the person you look after feedback forms every four months to find out how things are going.

Confidentiality: All personal information about the service user will be kept confidential by the co-ordinator  and volunteer.  However, a volunteer would tell you about anything the service user says or does that you need to know about as their carer.

Expenses: Interest Link Borders  will pay all the  volunteer’s  expenses, such as petrol costs and activity costs.  Service users pay their own activity costs such as cinema tickets and food.          

 If you think the person with learning disabilities for whom you care might benefit from being linked up, please contact your local branch co-ordinator or download a Registration Form and send it in to your local branch.