Can you meet these challenges?
18 young disabled men and women who live in Braunton are in the process of making some exciting new changes to their lives.
They want to go carriage riding, abseiling, have aromatherapy massages. They want to go fishing, to go weight lifting, to go swimming to go to football or cricket matches, to go ten pin bowling, to have support to do their campaigning and to access their emails. If you don’t match these skills, we have many more opportunities people would like to fulfil We would also like to hear from you about your skills, and the things that you can offer to disabled people which will enhance their quality of life.
A new appointment of a volunteer coordinator at Westmead House (Leonard Cheshire Disability) has meant that residents have been given the opportunity to make choices about trying out different activities that were previously unavailable to them. The role of the VC is to find out what residents want to do and then find the volunteers to make this happen. We have done the first part and now its over to you. We NEED volunteers, you are vital to making these things happen,
Volunteers will receive all the relevant training needed and be given full support by the Volunteer coordinator and the staff team. . Any time you can give will be made use of, whether you have lots of time to give, or if you can only do one hour a week or even month this will make a difference. We are looking for people from all walks of life and will not discourage anyone based on their age, disability, sex, race, sexual orientation, or religion and beliefs.
This is the chance for you to do something challenging and rewarding and a great way to have fun. You will work along side a dynamic group of residents and staff team and will have the chance to become involved in making real changes for people who need your support.
Go on, give it a go
Contact Jane Williams on 01271 815195 or jane.williams@LCDisability.org.
Volunteers
Volunteers assist with day to day activities for example: driving, swimming, cooking and everyday social contact with service users, providing stimulation, variety and contact with the local community. New volunteers are always welcomed anytime.
The Leonard Cheshire Disability services in North Devon rely heavily on volunteers and the generous financial support of individuals and other organisations. If you would like further information, or if you feel able to support us in any way, please contact us directly at the address below:-
Leonard Cheshire Disability
Westmead House
Saunton Road, Braunton
DEVON EX33 1NL
email: volunteer@westmead.org.uk
Telephone: (01271) 815195
Introducing the Volunteer Coordinator
My name is Jane Williams and in January, I was appointed as Volunteer Coordinator at Westmead House. My background is 24 years of experience of working with adults with severe learning disabilities, behaviours which challenge and adults with physical disabilities. I was managing these services for 15 years then I had a change of career and became a development officer doing business planning with local government and 72 social service establishments. When I had my son, five years ago, we moved from West Yorkshire to Devon, where my husband hails from.
My role as volunteer coordinator is exciting and brings its own challenges but I am pleased to report that the residents, staff, volunteers and myself are really moving things forward and creating lots of new opportunities for residents at Westmead House.
There is a process to matching the right volunteer to the right resident, it goes as follows.
Firstly, the resident, their keyworker and myself meet to discuss the residents interests, hobbies and needs. Then we draw up a list of things that people want to do and have a chat about what type of person would be the right volunteer. Once I have this information I go away and start to recruit that volunteer and match their skills, interests and availability to the right volunteer role. So far, we have a list of 51 things that residents want to do and we have not completed all our meetings yet so this number will grow!. Residents want to go weight training, have aroma therapy massages, go to the cinema, theatre, bowling, swimming do arts and crafts and to have help campaigning. One gentleman will be doing the voluntary work himself up at the hospital but will have a volunteer to support him to do that.
All volunteers will be CRB checked and need two references.
My role offers a range of support. Volunteers are given an individualised training programme to help them to learn the new skills they will need. The volunteer and myself will clearly define their volunteer role and responsibilities. Myself and the staff team will be there to provide support to help carry out their tasks and to have regular reviews. Leonard Cheshire Disability will pay all out of pocket expenses.
I will check out with residents and staff that all is going well and make any changes necessary.
We have links with volunteer centres and advertise in the press.
We have achieved a lot and are excited about all the work we have ahead of us. In 1948 Leonard Cheshire was founded by a single volunteer. Today, there are over 3,000 volunteers working for our cause – every one of them is crucial to our success.
If you would like to be involved we would love to hear from you. Please contact me on 01271 815195 or jane.williams@LCDisability.org
creating opportunities with disabled people.