Interest Link Borders
Improving the quality of life of people with learning disabilities through volunteer befriending
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Interest Link Borders Improving the quality of life of people with learning disabilities through volunteer befriending |
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Company Ltd by Guarantee, No. SC297772
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Young People's Service ¨ In July 2008 we started a new service for young people aged 16-25 who are in transition from childrens additional needs services to adult learning disability services. ¨ There are around 100 such young people in the Borders, most of whom are either at, or have just left, school or Borders College. ¨ The service uses a model developed by the Fairway Project in Ayrshire: v Groups of 6 service users and 6 volunteer mentors, all aged 16-25 and supervised by an Interest Link staff member meet up once a fortnight, usually on a weekday evening. v The groups usually meet for general social activities, but also regularly have workshop s in which the volunteer mentors act as role models for the service users, discussing their experiences of life as they become adults, the skills they have needed to develop and the choices they have made. ¨ The main aims of the service are to increase users’ confidence, self esteem & life skills and improve their ability to make and maintain social connections. It also hopes to broaden their horizons and look at the choices open to them as they move into adulthood. Number and location of groups: ¨ We operate 1 group in each of our four branch areas (Berwickshire, Central Borders, Roxburgh and Tweeddale). ¨ We base groups as near as possible to where group members live so that they can do local activities and hopefully build up longterm local relationships. ¨ We start groups in mid October of each year and run them till at least June in the following year. ¨ Young people could choose to stay in the groups for a second year.
Volunteering: ¨ We first and foremost aim to make the volunteer mentor role fun. ¨ It is also a responsible and rewarding role: Volunteers act as mentors and role models to other young people, helping them to broaden their horizons and explore the choices open to them, boosting their confidence and self-esteem. ¨ Volunteering can be used towards Millennium Volunteering, Youth Achievement or Duke of Edinburgh Award,. ¨ We look for a commitment of 1 academic year, but the groups will be flexible and make allowance for exams and other commitments. Volunteers can stay on for further years if they wish, but there is no expectation of this. ¨ All volunteer travel and activity expenses are paid, and volunteers are fully insured. ¨ Volunteers must attend 2 initial training sessions, provide two written references and undergo a Police Check.
Click below to download: Leaflets for Carers and Volunteers Service User Registration Form
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