The Next Steps Personal Support service is looking for enthusiastic, committed volunteers to provide 1:1 or 2:1 support to young people living in Surrey, aged 8 - 25 years old, who have a disability or learning difficulty.
The service aims to empower young people by: improving their independence; enabling them to have new experiences; providing opportunities to socialise and make friendships; and giving them a voice to express their views on services, community resources and issues that affect their lives.
The weekly time commitment of the volunteer role is flexible, depending upon the volunteer’s availability. The role involves spending a minimum of one hour a week with a young person, to help deliver the services outlined below.
The service offers individual tailored packages for young people based on their assessed needs. Support is offered Surrey-wide and can be provided on a 1:1 or 2:1 basis (where necessary) between 7am and 10pm, 7 days a week.
Services can include:
• Life skills
• Building self-esteem and independence
• Access to leisure and community activities
• Travel training
• Transition support
• Social and communication support
• Attending appointments and meetings
• Low level healthcare tasks
• Advocacy for child protection conferences or annual reviews
• Assistance in job applications and interviews
Key Volunteer Activities Key activities of volunteers include:
• Being involved in the running of tailored 1:1 support for disabled children and young people across the county
• Helping to promote the young people's independence, skills levels and choice
• Supporting in helping to develop awareness around online safety, fire safety, stranger awareness and relationship awareness
• Supporting in helping to develop skills and knowledge around cooking, food safety and hygiene and how to cook with a budget
• Reporting any safeguarding concerns raised by the young people, parents /carers, volunteers or others
• Ensuring that events and activities are made accessible to all disabled children and young people regardless of the nature of their disability, and irrespective of the child's age, gender, ethnicity, religion, culture or language
All these activities are to be carried out with the support and guidance of the Children's Service Manager and Project Coordinator.
Skills/Experience Required • An understanding of people with disabilities and their needs
• Awareness of the relevance of outreach support work and group work
• An interest in current issues and how they affect young people
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with service users with challenging needs
• Ability to relate and communicate with young people
• Commitment to delivering a high quality service which makes a real difference to young people and their families
• Commitment to Barnardo's Basis and Values
• Commitment to Barnardo's Equality and Diversity Policy
What we can offer you Volunteering with us will give you the opportunity to:
• To learn and develop skills
• To gain work experience and add to your CV
• To meet new people or make new friends
• To give back to the community
• To build your confidence
Travel expenses are reimbursed
Two references required
DBS check required
Contact: sophie.allen@barnardos.org.uk
Surrey and West Sussex Volunteer Coordinator
07732 800146