Improving the quality of life of people
with learning disabilities and their
carers through volunteer befriending
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Improving the quality of life of people with learning disabilities and their carers through volunteer befriending
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Company Ltd by Guarantee, No. SC297772
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Volunteering with Interest Link ¨ We are looking for people of all ages, from all walks of life and from every corner of the Borders to volunteer and make an impact on the quality of life of the 330 children, young people and adults with learning disabilities who use our services. ¨ You don’t need any special experience or skills, just your goodwill and a few hours every week, fortnight or month. ¨ Seeing the difference you make to the life of someone with learning disabilities can be immensely satisfying. As well as improving their quality of life (and giving respite to their carers), they benefit hugely from knowing you are with them purely out of choice.
Our volunteering opportunities include: 1:1 Links ¨ Being linked 1:1 with an child, young person or adult with learning disabilities who lives locally and has similar interests to you. ¨ You would do activities that both of you choose: for example the cinema, cycling, local events, walks, shopping, going for coffee, arts & crafts, golf, swimming or football, usually for two-three hours. ¨ You could do this as often as once a week or as little as once a month: our main priority is to set up a sustainable relationship that you both enjoy.
Befriending Groups: ¨ Adult groups in Galashiels that meet weekly for 6 weeks at a time and do a range of arts & crafts workshops. ¨ Youth Groups in Peebles, Hawick, Galashiels and Kelso v These meet fortnightly on a weekday evening for 2-3 hours to socialise and do projects of their choice involving things like music, art & crafts, drama and outward bound activities. v The groups are formed each September and last till the following June. Most of the volunteers in these groups are aged 16-25. ¨ Children's Groups in Hawick and Galashiels: these are similar to the Youth Groups but are aimed at children aged 8-16 and involve volunteers from a wide age-range.
Volunteering with us ¨ The first step is to contact your local Branch Co-ordinator who will come and meet you for a chat and ask you to fill in an application form. ¨ Your Co-ordinator will train and prepare you and discuss whether a 1:1 or group link would suit you best. You will need to provide two references and undergo a police check. ¨ Your 1:1 link or membership of a group would be on a trial basis for the first month or so, giving you time to decide if the role was right for you. ¨ Your Branch Co-ordinator would always be available to give advice, answer any questions or solve problems. You would see them frequently when your link was new and then at least every four months after that. ¨ As a volunteer your role could be demanding and require a good deal of patience and persistence. Communication with service users may be difficult and it may take a while to establish a relationship. ¨ Our younger volunteers usually achieve Saltire Awards, and some put their volunteering towards Duke of Edinburgh and other volunteering awards. ¨ Being a volunteer can also provide valuable work experience and references for courses or jobs in the care field. ¨ We pay all your expenses, including a mileage allowance if you use your own car for volunteering. This would not affect any Benefits you receive. ¨ Insurance: If you use your car for your volunteering you should tell your insurer and can claim back any premium increase from the project. The project also has public liability and personal accident insurance to cover you during your link.
Further information ¨ We have made videos about the Adult and Young Peoples Services. ¨ You can read about the experiences of other volunteers in our independent evaluations
Branch Contact Details
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