Cam Sight Peer Support Group – Volunteer Assistant

About the Groups Service

Our Peer Support Groups offer clients a unique opportunity to come together and learn more about visual impairment or blindness. In a community setting, against the relaxed background of tea and biscuits, our clients will hear from a guest speaker on a relevant topic that affects their daily lives. This could range from tips for using public transport to what assistive technology is available to help them, or information on eye conditions and screening procedures.

Purpose of role

The role of a Group Host is to welcome clients attending the meeting, to make teas and coffees and engage with the clients. You’ll keep the vibe up-beat and ensure everyone feels listened to and included. You’ll welcome our guest speakers from partner organisations and keep the session running to time. You’ll be a recognisable and familiar person for regular attendees, carers and welcoming to new members.

If volunteering in this role, we’d ask you to;

-       Liaise with Volunteer Coordinator (Groups) before and after the meeting.

-       Set out chairs and tables before the event (and re-setting the room after).

-       Make teas and coffees or serve biscuits.

-       Talk to clients and keeping everyone engaged.

-       Be a sighted guide (to assist clients who need to move around in the space).

-       Tidy up the kitchen and tea-making facilities after our use.

We are looking for:

-       Volunteers who can attend regularly as it’s essential for volunteers to be able to build relationships with service users and their carers.

-       Good time keeping – it is essential that our groups run to time as often our clients have return transport booked to take them home.

-       You should have a caring and understanding nature. Clients can have experienced very personal journeys with their sight loss. We would ask you to feel confident to raise any concerns with us so we can re-assess clients if their conditions have deteriorated, or their circumstances changed.

-       Ability to work with other volunteers as a part of a team.

To consider:

-       Clients may bring their Guide Dogs with them- something to consider if you have allergies or a fear of dogs.

-       Groups are held monthly often in the same venue and at the same time.

-       We will ask volunteers to report to us on their volunteer hours so that we can pass this on to our funders. Your support in collating this information is appreciated.

Recruitment and Induction Process:

Fill in an application form and we’ll call you for a chat on the phone. If the situation looks beneficial to us both, as is most often the case, we’ll look to invite you to meet with us in person. If mutually happy then we’ll continue to Cam Sight’s general induction process.

At general induction you can expect;

-       More information about Cam Sight, who we are, what we do and the services we provide.

-       Information about policies relating to volunteering such as volunteer expenses (you will also receive your volunteer handbook/ e-access)

-       General GDPR and Safeguarding training

-       Information about Cam Sight’s on-going support and training for volunteers

What you will gain

-       (We hope) a sense of satisfaction from helping others.

-       Greater understanding of sight loss and how that effects people

-       Knowledge of a range of eye conditions

-       CV skills and after 6 months a reference should you choose to move on

-       Friendship and entry into a community of supportive and friendly people, motivated by helping others.

Anything Else?

Our volunteer roles are subject to a DBS check (the level of check depends on your volunteer role and is risk assessed). We also ask for two references before you get started with volunteering.

You Health & Safety induction will be role specific and form a part of your supported introduction to and start to volunteering.