Job Description

Job Overview

Volunteer Project Support Worker

Volunteers will support the delivery of services in partnership with our Skills for People Project Workers. They will help the team by providing support for Mind, Body, Planet which is a 3-year national lottery funded project that aims to engage people with nature and the outdoors.

Volunteer roles can be developed around individual interests, skills and personal strengths. A minimum commitment of 1 group per week is encouraged (approximately 1-2 hours per week).

We are recruiting volunteers for the following groups -

Save the Planet (Wednesday) -

A gardening and environmental group based at Byker Community Allotment (near Ouseburn farm and behind the Cumberland Arms pub). The group runs on Wednesday mornings from 10.30am-12.45pm. Members learn about gardening skills and outdoor activities led by a forest school trained practitioner.

Volunteers will support our Project Workers to deliver the session and support social interactions within the group. This ensures that none of our members are excluded from activities or conversations as group numbers have increased in recent months. Members can cook up some delicious treats over the fire and volunteers will support members to complete allotment tasks such weeding, watering, planting seeds etc.

Upcoming sessions and examples of group activities -

Poetry about nature - toast and jam Weave a tsikuri - veggie skewers Decorative twig ball - potato skins/wedges Giant bubble wand - apple and cinnamon crumble Design a garden mural - toasted teacakes

Being Well Walk (Tuesday)

A gentle, social walk that takes place at various locations in and around Newcastle. The walk takes place on Tuesday morning from 10.30am-12.30pm and members meet at the start point. Due to increasing numbers, volunteers are required to encourage and support social interactions within the group to ensure that everyone is included.

Examples of walks this month include -

Iris Brickfield community park

Newcastle Quayside to St Peter's Basin

Exhibition Park

Denton Dene to Lemington

Wednesday Social Walk

A gentle, social walk that takes place in various locations in and around Newcastle. The walk takes place on Wednesday afternoon from 2.30-3.45pm and members meet at the start point. Due to increasing numbers, volunteers are required to encourage and support social interactions within the group to ensure that everyone is included.

Examples of walks this month include -

Leazes Park

Heaton Park

Saltwell Park

St Peter's Basin

Mix it Up: Shared Interest and Social Group (Tuesday)

A weekly shared interest and social group that takes place in various locations in and around Newcastle. The time of the group alternates between an afternoon session one week (2.30pm-4.30pm) and an evening session the next (4.30pm-6.30pm). Examples of activities include cafe visits, museum visits of the North, bowling, Hustlers pool hall, restaurant visits (Pizza Punks is a popular destination!), cinema/music/theatre visits. We have also held sessions 'at home' including games nights and film screenings. The group hosts regular planning sessions where attendees can suggest ideas for future trips. Due to increasing numbers, volunteers are required to encourage and support social interactions within the group to ensure that everyone is included.

Volunteer Role Description

To work in partnership and under the guidance and instruction of a Skills for People Project Worker.

Support individual members to participate in the groups offered by Skills for People through social engagement.

Ensure that groups achieve stated outcomes around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing

To build good working relationships with group members built on openness and trust

To enable group members to be as independent as possible

To keep group members up to date with information about services and opportunities

To provide group members with information in an accessible way

Drawing on individual skills and experiences to support Skills for People

Support Project Workers to capture verbal, written and recorded feedback from members.

Volunteers will be expected to carry some, though not necessarily all, of the above tasks, and tasks will depend on the group

Qualifications and Experience

We welcome volunteers with a wide range of skills and experience.

Experience of working with people with a learning disability and/or autism is preferred but full training will be provided.

Volunteer training consists of a mixture of in-person and online courses. Support in accessing online sessions can be provided by the Volunteer Co-ordinator.

We would like to encourage conversation and inclusion between members so volunteers should be sociable, friendly and happy to engage with others. An interest in nature and/or the outdoors would also be useful due to the nature of the project.

Volunteers must be able to travel to the differing locations of groups which will change each week. All destinations are accessible by public transport and travel costs will be reimbursed.

Contact

Contact Jane Eaglesham for more information

jane.eaglesham@skillsforpeople.org.uk

0191 281 8737

Job Type: Volunteer

Pay: From 1.00 per day

Work Location: In person

Reference ID: MBPVOL