Home Support Volunteer - Fraserburgh

** We are recruiting for our next intake of Home Support volunteers. Training will take place in late Summer/Early Autumn**

Information on the role can be found below and to apply, please click here

What activities will I be involved in?

• Your initial introductory visit will be with a member of staff, but you will then visit unaccompanied
• Supporting families with ‘everyday’ tasks – these will vary and be dependent on the family’s needs, and the skills you bring. They may include:
  • Housekeeping – hoovering, ironing, changing beds, general tidying
  • Practical Sibling Support - collecting siblings from school/clubs within walking distance of their home, assisting with homework, spending time with siblings/play
  • Meal Preparation - batch cooking or supporting families to cook (this does require specific training, which we will provide)
  • Other - gardening, dog-walking, basic DIY eg. helping with flat-pack furniture
• Develop positive relationships with families, being respectful of their home and belongings
• Immediately communicate any concerns which may arise about a families wellbeing, including child protection concerns
• Be respectful of sensitive and confidential medical and personal information regarding the children and families accessing our services

Desirable skills and abilities:

• Excellent people skills
• Welcome diversity, accepting of different family situations and cultures
• Confident to visit families independently
• An ability to represent CHAS enthusiastically and appropriately
• Have awareness that families can be experiencing emotional and difficult situations
  
• Adhere to rules around GDPR and a strong understanding of confidentiality and boundaries
• Shared values with the organisation

How much time should I offer?

You can volunteer on any day of the week; mornings, afternoons, or early evenings. An average shift is approx 2 hours with the family, and ideally we are looking for a weekly commitment.

Usually volunteers support each family for a period of months (dependent on need), then would be introduced to another family. It is possible there will be a short time between supporting different families.

Where is the Opportunity based?

CHAS supports families across the whole of Scotland. For this role you will support families in their own homes, within a short travelling distance of where you live.

What ongoing learning/support/guidance will I receive?

It’s important to us that you feel happy, safe and confident in your role. As a CHAS volunteer you will be invited to complete a short core learning package that is tailored to your role prior to your first day.

Additionally, once you have started volunteering, we will also let you know about upcoming training dates that will be relevant to your role. Further Child Protection training (either online or face to face, approximately 3 hours in length) is mandatory for this role, to be completed within the first year of volunteering with us. There will also be opportunities to attend additional training such as Fire Evacuation (if you are based within a hospice).

Your Volunteer Manager will provide ongoing support and guidance to you in your role. We have also partnered with the Skills Network to offer all our volunteers the chance to develop new skills and explore further learning opportunities.

What are the benefits to me?

• Using your skills and developing new ones
• Making a real difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition
• Experience, adding to your CV and career prospects
  
• Meeting new people
• Having fun!

What are the benefits to the children and families supported by CHAS?

Families supported by CHAS are often under a lot of strain, and caring for a child with a life-limiting condition can take a lot of the family’s time and attention. Often other household tasks, and family life, can become more difficult to manage, and can begin to feel overwhelming. This role makes a direct and instant difference to families.

What else should I know?

This role is for those aged 18+. You are required to be able to drive and to have access to your own vehicle (travel expenses can be claimed).

You will need to complete Visit Logs online, these can be accessed through a phone, computer or tablet, and will require an internet connection (a high level of ‘technology’ knowledge is not required to complete these).

This role requires membership of the PVG scheme. There is a simple form to complete and we will assist you with this. You may already have a PVG form – if so you will only need to complete an update form. The process won’t cost you anything and having a criminal record will not automatically exclude you from volunteering. We will assess each applicant on an individual basis.

We will pay your out of pocket expenses in line with the CHAS volunteer expenses policy.

CHAS is committed to providing a quality volunteering experience to all volunteers free from discrimination and prejudice. Ensuring that CHAS is an equal, diverse, and inclusive organisation will improve the quality of care we provide, help us reach more families and children, and maximise a wide variety of knowledge, experience and expertise.

We welcome volunteer applications from those who are refugees, asylum seekers, benefit claimants and those with a disability.

Please feel welcome to contact Jack Daniels, Home Support Lead (East), on 07824 457767 or jackdaniels@chas.org.uk if you have any questions, or would like to discuss the role.

What’s the next step?

If you’re interested in the role you can apply online