ltv-csbexley (1)
Project Name : Carers’ Support (Bexley)
Hosting Organisation : International Voluntary Service Great Britain (IVS-GB)
Volunteer Type : SCI Long-term Volunteering
Project Theme : People with disabilities
Hosting Country: United Kingdom
Start date: Open
End date: Open
Duration : 12 months
Deadline date: Open
Project Languages : English
Location : Bexley, Greater London
Country Languages : English
Number of Volunteers : 8
Looking for Volunteers From : Not Specified (please enquire)
Project Description:

Our charity supports family carers in the boroughs of Bexley and Greenwich. This project gives a carer a much-needed break from their caring role, with a volunteer keeping their loved one company so they can have some time to themselves. The carers do not pay for this service, it is provided mainly under our council funding.

The volunteers will be travelling by bus to clients’ homes to provide a break to the family carer.

Work Description:

a) Type of work carried out at the project: Our project provides a break to a family carer, either for three hours each week or a whole day every other week. They will be supporting clients aged 18 and above of a wide range of disabilities, for example dementia, Parkinson’s, Autism or mobility issues. Each volunteer will visit the same clients each week, so normally a maximum of ten clients. Volunteers with weekly clients will usually visit one in the morning from 10am to 1pm and in the afternoon from 2pm to 5pm, with time in between to travel. All clients are assessed by a member of staff when the start our service and the volunteer is introduced to their client by a member of staff or another volunteer. The volunteer does not help with any personal care, they will provide company and conversation, preparing any lunch (usually a sandwich) or drinks. Where clients are unable to leave the house, the visits will be entirely at home, possibly playing games, arts and crafts, watching television, listening to music. Some clients may be asleep the whole time, depending on their disability. If the client is physically able, the volunteer may go out with them to the shops, cinema, for a walk or taking them out in a wheelchair (subject to an assessment).

The volunteers receive their weekly schedule the week before, it is normally the same each week unless there is training or an event planned. We provide monthly supervision for the volunteers, scheduled in their normal volunteering day, so a client visit will be missed on this occasion.

The volunteers are supported by two members of staff and other office members if they are not available. There are also the family carers to call if necessary.

We expect the volunteers to be committed to their role, punctual and communicate with us on a regular basis. In return, we support them to have the best possible experience during their time with us.

b) Working hours: Monday to Friday visits with clients from 10am to 5pm

 

Travel before/after this time to get to their clients. Average weekly hours with clients = 30. All bank holidays are given and we close between Christmas and New Year, when the volunteers are required to take 3 days of their holiday entitlement. They also receive an extra day off for their birthday and for Christmas Eve.

Requirements: We would like a volunteer to have maturity, flexibility, commitment, common sense and good time keeping. Excellent English and communication skills are essential. This project is good for a sociable person who likes to meet a wide range of people. It provides a lot of independence and flexibility
Accommodation and Food: Accommodation: We have rented accommodations as follows (away from our offices): - A four-bedroom house in Erith that accommodates four volunteers, all with their own bedroom. They have shared bathroom/shower/living room/dining room/kitchen and garden. - A three-bedroom flat in Woolwich, all with their own bedroom. They share a bathroom/separate toilet/kitchen/lounge dining area. - We rent two room living with a landlady in Welling. Again, they have their own bedrooms, shared kitchen/living room/bathroom and garden. No cost to the volunteers, all bills are paid. We also cover the cost of cleaning materials. Food: The volunteers pay for this out of their weekly expenses. They all have access to kitchen facilities to prepare their own food. Some clients prepare lunch for them or they take their own. All food purchased out of their weekly expenses.
Pocket Money: The hosting project pays per volunteer per week a pocket money of £75.00 GBP. We also pay for bus pass for them to use daily
Visa Info: You will need to apply for a Temporary Work (Charity Work) Visa. The application fee for this Visa is £298 and you can stay up for 12 months. To apply for this Visa you will need a Certificate of Sponsorship which will be provided by IVS at a cost of £25
Insurance: As part of your Temporary Work (Charity Worker) Visa, you will need to pay the NHS Immigration Health Surcharge as you are staying for more than 6 months which costs GBP1,035
Application Info: We currently have arrivals in February and September. We can be flexible around these dates, but these are ideal for us to fit in with the external training that we provide for all new arrivals. We complete induction with them on their arrival where they have documents to sign. They complete in-house induction on an overview of the project, general information, their role, mental capacity, safeguarding, dementia, autism awareness, health and safety. They also attend training on First Aid, Client Moving and Handling and Food Hygiene. Other training may occur during their placement as well
Additional Information: Holidays: Volunteers have right to two days of holiday per one month of voluntary work. So for example, if they volunteer for 12 months, they will receive 24 days holiday – they can build this up to take a maximum of two weeks at one time. During the holidays volunteers still receive their expenses. All volunteers are given £5 holiday support for every full month of volunteering
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