Volunteer Opportunities
Shadowing Outreach Community & Residential Services support workers at various locations within the Prestwich, Whitefield, Radcliffe and Manchester areas. In the person-centred holistic support of people who identify with mental health needs and/or learning difficulties.
This role involves meeting the individual needs, wants and/or desires of service users through empowering and enabling practice. Thus, seeking to facilitate individual service users to live as independently as possible within their residential or own supported homes and/or in the wider community. Whilst similarly encouraging supported social inclusion and involvement to enhance their individual experience and quality of life.
This role, would particularly suit a person desiring knowledge, awareness and/or experience in pursuing a career in Support work, Social Work, Nursing, Care Management etc.
Tasks include:
Assisting service users in meeting their social and/or cultural needs.
Empowering and enabling service users to attend Outreach, and/or other external agencies, activities, events, venues, appointments etc.
Being with a service user in watching TV, listening to radio and/or in conversation.
Supporting service users in attending religious places of worship. e.g. synagogue.
Engaging in 1-1 and group activities.
Enabling & supporting service users in the preparation of appropriate dietary requirements.
This grid shows when you can volunteer for this opportunity.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morning | |||||||
| Afternoon | |||||||
| Evening |
It is essential to have a positive outlook and approach towards Outreach service users and staff. Above all else Outreach volunteers should be person-centred, non-judgemental, approachable, empowering, warm, friendly and empathic.
In terms of specific qualities, skills, attributes and personality; a shadow support Volunteer should be, or should:
Have a genuine and positive interest in mental health and learning difficulties.
Punctual and reliable.
Have good listening and communication skills.
Honest and trustworthy.
Person-centred.
Exhibit a non-judgmental and empathic approach to all people.
Friendly and approachable.
Organised and have excellent time management skills.
Able to communicate well both verbally and in writing.
Willing to engage in appropriate personal and professional reflection.
Have the ability to act on own initiative.
Able to work as part of a team.
Have the ability to remain calm and collected in difficult situations.
Willing to take instruction from appropriate and designated Outreach employees
Respect all aspects of confidentiality.
Have the ability to work within set boundaries and professional parameters.
Willing to undertake training, to enhance personal and professional development.