Disability Volunteer Roles in East Midlands
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Description
The LGBTQ+ Telephone Group is a chance for blind and partially sighted people who identify as being a part of the LGBTQ+ community to come together for mutual friendship and support. The facilitator is a pivotal role within the group ensuring the group runs smoothly and that everybody has a chance to contribute to the group conversation as well as ensuring everybody’s welfare and flagging up any potential safeguarding concerns. You should either be a part of the LGBTQ+ community or be a strong ally who is committed to helping provide a safe space for participants to come together to share their experiences. We are looking for someone to run an additional LGBTQ+ telephone group during daytime office hours. You will be: Helping to ensure that participants feel comfortable and facilitate discussion. Helping group participants to feel safe to be in the group and to enable them to join in the group discussion each month. Looking after participant welfare within the group and flagging any welfare or safeguarding concerns to Talk and Support for follow up.
How often will I be needed?
- 2 Hours per Month
Key requirements
- 2 references
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Description
Our Talk and Support team is setting up a monthly group for blind and partially sighted musicians to share their musical creations. In the role of facilitator, you will contribute to the group to ensure that all participants feel comfortable and have the space to express themselves. You will be: Helping to ensure that participants feel comfortable and facilitate discussion. Helping the group participants to feel safe to be in the group and enable them to take part. Looking after participant welfare within the group and flagging any welfare or safeguarding concerns to the Talk and Support team for follow up.
How often will I be needed?
- 2 Hours per Month
Key requirements
- Two references
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Description
Our Talk and Support team is setting up a monthly telephone group for blind and partially sighted people who are interested in discussing mindfulness and wellbeing. In the role of facilitator, you will contribute to the group to ensure that all participants feel comfortable and that the group runs smoothly. You will be: Helping to ensure that participants feel comfortable and facilitate discussion. Helping the group participants to feel safe to be in the group and enable them to join in the group discussion. Looking after participant welfare within the group and flagging any welfare or safeguarding concerns to the Talk and Support team for follow up.
How often will I be needed?
- 2 Hours per Month
Key requirements
- This role requires one reference.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Description
Our Talk and Support team is setting up a monthly telephone group for blind and partially sighted people who are interested in music. In the role of facilitator, you will contribute to the group to ensure that all participants feel comfortable and that the group runs smoothly. You will be: Helping to ensure that participants feel comfortable and facilitate discussion. Helping the group participants to feel safe to be in the group and enable them to join in the group discussion. Looking after participant welfare within the group and flagging any welfare or safeguarding concerns to Talk and Support for follow up.
How often will I be needed?
- 2 Hours per Month
Key requirements
- This role requires one reference.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Description
Our Talk and Support team is setting up a monthly telephone group for blind and partially sighted people who are interested in gardening. In the role of facilitator, you will contribute to the group to ensure that all participants feel comfortable and that the group runs smoothly. You will be: Helping to ensure that participants feel comfortable and facilitate discussion. Helping the group participants to feel safe to be in the group and enable them to join in the group discussion. Looking after participant welfare within the group and flagging any welfare or safeguarding concerns to Talk and Support for follow up.
How often will I be needed?
- 2 Hours per Month
Key requirements
- This role requires one reference.
Volunteering for Sense
Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales. Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.
What your role will involve
There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:
- Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
- Receiving donated goods from members of the public
- Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
- Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
- Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
- Processing sales and serving on the till
- Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
- Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
- Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
- Following new health, safety and social distancing measures to ensure the safety of everyone
Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:
- Motivated and hardworking
- Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
- A team player
- Friendly and helpful
- Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
- Respectful of others and their diversity
- Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.
What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?
- A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
- Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
- A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
- The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
- The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
- The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind
About Sense
For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.
Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.
We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you a good listener? Are you able to manage group conversations and ensure people feel comfortable together and that groups run smoothly? This role is to facilitate our Talk and Support weekly telephone groups that offer blind and partially sighted people the opportunity to socialise with others when the regular group facilitator is unavailable. The groups meet during the day from Monday to Friday. This is a telephone-based role that you can do from home. You will need access to a landline or mobile phone. We ask you to commit to covering one or two groups a week - this will vary on a week by week basis. Each group you cover will last for one hour.
How often will I be needed?
- 2 Hours per Week
Key requirements
- This role requires 2 references
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
RNIB's Sight Loss Counselling Team is an established team of telephone counsellors. Accredited by the BACP, we offer free and confidential counselling and emotional support to people affected by sight loss. Volunteers will either be qualified counsellors/psychotherapists; having completed a BACP accredited training or equivalent OR be students in the final stages of counselling or psychotherapy.
How often will I be needed?
- 4 Hours per Week
Key requirements
- This role requires 2 references and a criminal record check: DBS Enhanced PVG Scotland Adults Access NI Enhanced
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
At Sense we know that it's not easy being a young carer or sibling of a disabled child. Their wellbeing and happiness are just as important. That’s why Sense supports activities and sessions specifically for young people aged 5-18 who have a caring role for a parent, carer, or sibling.
We run a range of virtual and in person activities throughout the month. Our sessions are based on what the young people tell us they like doing, giving them a break, and also providing opportunities to meet and develop friendships with other young people in a similar situation.
Our Siblings and Young Carers in person activity group sessions take place once a month. Activities include picnics, bowling, arts and crafts and rock climbing, enabling the young people to spend time doing fun things with other siblings and young carers with similar experiences.
You do not need to have any previous experience working with siblings or young carers as we will provide you with training and ongoing support to equip you for your role.
About Sense
Sense is a national disability charity that supports people with complex communication needs and their families to be understood, connected, and valued. We are here for every person who faces communication barriers in a world that relies on being able to see and hear well to be connected.
Will the role suit me?
Yes, if you have:
- ·Willingness to develop or learn new skills
- Reliability and good communication skills
- A sense of fun and adventure!
- Respect for others and their diversity
- An interest in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind and their families
Practical Considerations
This project is based in Loughborough, either at our Sense College or out in the community . Our activity group runs once per month, for 3.5 hours on a Saturday. Ideally you would be able to commit to at least 6 months of volunteering.
An essential part of getting ready to volunteer is attending a training session where you'll learn more about your volunteer role, the specific needs of children and young carers and how to keep young people on the project safe.
Your travel expenses will be covered by Sense.
You must be 18 or over to volunteer. We collect two references for this role as well as complete a Child and Adult Enhanced DBS.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Family Thing Dance is a small but growing charity that provides inclusive dance classes for people with learning differences and diverse abilities. We are looking for Trustees to join our Board to offer governance and support to grow the charity.
The dance base is commercial dance and hip-hop. Family Thing's mission is to provide opportunities for empowerment, support and a sense of belonging using dance as a vehicle to reach these aims.
Family Thing is passionate about providing these dance opportunities for everyone. There are many reasons why. Mencap lists the main benefits of taking part in leisure activities as improving physical and mental health, personal social skills, self-worth and confidence, and social attitudes (Mencap, 2019). Yet despite these widely understood benefits, only 16.8% of people with a learning disability take part in a sport or physical activities at least once a week, compared with 39.9% of the general population (Sport England, 2018). Additionally, there is a great deal of evidence that inactivity is a major contributing factor of ill health in people with learning disabilities. Only 9% of participants in a 2016 review met the minimum recommended guidelines for physical activity (Dairo et al, 2016).
We know that organisations like Family Thing play a role in the well-being of people with learning disabilities by providing activities that promote good physical health as well as positive psychological and social stimulation, and offers a way to overcome situations such as loneliness and anxiety. We know that a positive impact of Family Thing is the increase in social engagement and improvements in physical and mental well-being for those who participate in our classes.
Activities: Family Thing offers free or subsidised, supportive, fun and creative dance classes to diverse groups of children, young people and adults. During each session, dancers are invited to create their own ‘dance hero persona’, and have opportunities to express themselves as individuals with the support of the group. There is a focus on strengthening their sense of community through the concept of “supporting your crew”. As defined by those who attend the groups, the overall aim is to create a “big family” that’ll dance altogether basically!
What are we looking for?
At this particular time we are keen to find people with a financial services background and someone who may be willing to take on the role of Treasurer in due course and/or someone with marketing skills, including digital marketing.
Experience
- Experience of the dance community (desirable but not essential)
- An understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and a desire to support those with learning differences and diverse abilities
- Leadership experience (desirable but not essential)
- Experience of delivering strategic organisational change (desirable but not essential)
It is not necessary to have previous board experience as training and support can be given
Skills
- A commitment to the Family Thing
- A willingness to devote half a day a month to this work and be able to attend the bi-monthly board meetings
- Good, independent judgement
- An ability to think creatively
- A willingness to speak your mind and communicate well
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
- An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
- An understanding of safeguarding practices
- Some experience of charity finance and fundraising is desirable, but not essential (and candidates do not need prior experience as a charity trustee)
- Knowledge and experience of current and fundraising activities relevant to voluntary and community organisations (desirable but not essential)
Attitude
- Honest, open and trustworthy with an understanding of the duty of candour
- Respectful of confidentiality procedures
Special Conditions
The post requires the ability to attend online meetings and occasional face to face events. All expenses will be reimbursed.
What difference will you make?
We are interested in potential Trustees who can bring experience across of range of areas. At this particular time we are keen to find people with a financial services background and someone who may be willing to take on the role of Treasurer in due course and/or someone with marketing skills, including digital marketing.
We are also keen to hear from people who can bring experience in any of these areas:
- working with charitable organisations
- developing strategy;
- project management;
- fundraising and grants management;
Bringing skills in any of these areas will make a huge difference to the work Family Thing is able to provide.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to create a world without barriers. This face to face opportunity will see you providing information about RNIB services and activities to help people with sight loss live the lives they want, enabling them to hear about the support that is available, and how they can help others. What you’ll be doing • Creating a welcoming and interesting display stand. • Speaking directly to people affected by sight loss. • Being a friendly face of RNIB locally - engaging with a diverse range of people. • Providing information and demonstrations of basic independent living aids for the general public and professionals. What you’ll gain from the role: • An opportunity to give something back. • A chance to build a strong community. • A sense of achievement through the difference you make. • A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people • An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. In return for donating your time we will provide: • A supportive route to building your confidence in meeting members of the public and serving customers. • A rewarding experience. • A great Induction and training. • A supportive manager. • Regular updates and catchups. • Expenses. • An opportunity to connect with other volunteers. In applying for / signing up for this role you agree to be contacted when we are seeking volunteers to help with an event in relation to this role description. We will contact you via a communication method for which you have given consent.
Who this opportunity will suit
Minimum age
- You must be at least 18 years old to apply
What skills and experience are needed?
- • An outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people • An empathetic and professional manner. • Good communications skills with active listening. • An interest in helping people access the information they need.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our amazing volunteer team in this flexible opportunity that puts you at the heart of our work supporting blind and partially sighted people. You’ll make taking part in events and carrying out volunteering easier and more enjoyable for our customers and volunteers with sight loss. You’ll take some of the stress and anxiety out of getting around and taking part in activities as a blind or partially sighted person. The help you give will encourage people to do more. What you’ll be doing • Sighted guiding / giving practical help to individuals in and around venues, so they can take part in events. • Supporting volunteers with sight loss with their volunteering activities which range from facilitating a regular community group to delivering a talk about sight loss to a local business. Your role would involve things like guiding; Meeting and greeting at group activities or creating a welcoming and interesting display stand at events. In this role you will only be helping individuals in places open to the public, often in a group setting. We will provide training in sighted guiding techniques and understanding sight loss. What you’ll gain from the role: • An opportunity to give something back. • A chance to build a strong community. • A sense of achievement through the difference you make. • A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people • An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. In return for donating your time we will provide: • A rewarding experience. • A great Induction and training. • A supportive manager. • Regular updates and catchups. • Expenses. • An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.
What skills and experience are needed?
- • An outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people. • An empathetic and professional manner. • The ability to take the supportive and helpful role.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to create a world without barriers. This face to face opportunity will see you providing information about RNIB services and activities to help people with sight loss live the lives they want, enabling them to hear about the support that is available, and how they can help others. What you’ll be doing • Creating a welcoming and interesting display stand. • Speaking directly to people affected by sight loss. • Being a friendly face of RNIB locally - engaging with a diverse range of people. • Providing information and demonstrations of basic independent living aids for the general public and professionals. What you’ll gain from the role • An opportunity to give something back. • A chance to build a strong community. • A sense of achievement through the difference you make. • A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people • An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. In return for donating your time we will provide: • A supportive route to building your confidence in meeting members of the public and serving customers. • A rewarding experience. • A great Induction and training. • A supportive manager. • Regular updates and catchups. • Expenses. • An opportunity to connect with other volunteers. In applying for / signing up for this role you agree to be contacted when we are seeking volunteers to help with an event in relation to this role description. We will contact you via a communication method for which you have given consent.
Who this opportunity will suit
Minimum age
- You must be at least 18 years old to apply
What skills and experience are needed?
- • An outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people • An empathetic and professional manner. • Good communications skills with active listening. • An interest in helping people access the information they need.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our amazing team and make a real difference to people living with sight loss. Help create a welcoming and safe environment for people to share their experiences, ask questions and support each other and connect with a local community in a group setting via Facebook. In this role you will be: • Managing group membership – authorising Requests to Join. • Creating a warm and welcoming environment. • Supporting group conversations. • Working with a Volunteer Moderator Team to create engaging content for the Group. • Ensuring House Rules are followed and content is appropriate. What you’ll gain from the role: • An opportunity to give something back. • A chance to build a strong community. • A sense of achievement through the difference you make. • A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people • An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. In return for donating your time we will provide: • A rewarding experience. • A great Induction and training. • A supportive manager. • Regular updates and catchups. • Expenses. • An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.
What skills and experience are needed?
- An understanding and interest in maximising the benefits of social media platforms. A willingness to learn about local services and activities to inform the community as appropriate. Interested in helping people get the information they need. Good communication skills.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our amazing team and make a real difference to people living with sight loss. Help create a welcoming and safe environment for people to share their experiences, ask questions and support each other and connect with a local community in a group setting via Facebook. In this role you will be: • Managing group membership – authorising Requests to Join. • Creating a warm and welcoming environment. • Supporting group conversations. • Working with a Volunteer Moderator Team to create engaging content for the Group. • Ensuring House Rules are followed and content is appropriate. What you’ll gain from the role: • An opportunity to give something back. • A chance to build a strong community. • A sense of achievement through the difference you make. • A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people • An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies. In return for donating your time we will provide: • A rewarding experience. • A great Induction and training. • A supportive manager. • Regular updates and catchups. • Expenses. • An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.
What skills and experience are needed?
- An understanding and interest in maximising the benefits of social media platforms. A willingness to learn about local services and activities to inform the community as appropriate. Interested in helping people get the information they need. Good communication skills.