Interest Link Borders

 Improving the quality of life of people with learning disabilities through volunteer befriending

 
















                        
Scottish   Charity No. SC030132

Company Ltd by Guarantee, No. SC297772

Volunteering with Interest Link

Do you think you’re too busy to volunteer??

Can we change your mind?

We understand that volunteering can seem like a big

commitment but we can offer a variety of great

opportunities that will fit in with you and your lifestyle.

• How about going out for coffee or to the cinema or shopping once a month/fortnight with an adult with learning disabilities?   Click here for more information
   

• Are you 16-25 years old and free on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening every fortnight? Then what about our youth groups? We have great fun and you could join us as a volunteer mentor. Click here for more information
   

• Or how about a term or two attending evening classes with one of our service users as a Buddy? Courses range from skin care and make-up to motorbike care and everything in between.   Click here for more information
   

• Our Childrens Service links adults with children aged 11-16. You might  take someone to the Guides, or ice skating, to the cinema, out for a burger – we all like a bit of social time, don’t we? Please help local children enjoy that chance too.

  Your role as a volunteer:

• As a volunteer your role in Interest Link could be demanding and require a good deal of patience and persistence. Communication with the service user may be difficult and it may take a while to establish a relationship. However:

• You would be given as much preparation and support as you needed. The co-ordinator would always be available to give advice and you should not hesitate to phone them if you have a question or a problem.  They would keep in touch, and send you a newsletter and a feedback form every four months to find out how things are going.

• The satisfaction to be had from the role, and the difference it makes to a service user’s life can be immense: By being linked with a volunteer, service users can do the things they want to and know that the person helping them is doing so because they want to, not because they are paid to or feel obliged to.  As well as improving their quality of life (and giving respite to their carers), being linked to a volunteer can help them with their social skills and self-confidence and give them a sense of independence.

• Being a volunteer also provides very good work experience and a source of references if you are thinking about applying for courses or paid jobs in Care.

  Confidentiality: All personal information about service users must be kept confidential unless it is something that you feel their carer or somebody else should know for the good of the service user.

  Expenses: Interest Link will pay all your expenses, including car costs at 30p per mile and activity costs such as cinema tickets and basic refreshments. Costs are claimed monthly and paid promptly. They will not affect Benefits.

  Click below to download:

  Leaflets about volunteering with the Adult, Young People's and Children's Services

   Volunteer Application Form

 If you are interested in volunteering, please contact your local branch or download an application form and send it into your local branch.