Description
Families First work with children and young people aged 5-16 years with additional support needs, and their families, living in rural north east Fife.
The volunteer role is to offer a supportive, consistent relationship that will offer companionship and new opportunities to the parents and carers who use the Family Support Service. You will support the adults for a couple of hours a week, to help them manage the challenges they face in life, by spending time with them, to talk and listen and to help them work out what would improve their lives.
Volunteers can offer support on an individual basis, or you might help out in their various group activities such as Thursday Lunch Groups.
Volunteering usually takes place during the day when the children are at school.
Organisation aims and objectives
Families First is a very small independent charity working with children and their families aged 5 – 16 years who face significant challenges in life living in North East Fife. These challenges include Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD), various learning disabilities, social and emotional problems, mental health issues, caring responsibilities, being looked after away from their family, low self-esteem, medical problems and poverty. Isolation can be a significant challenge to the children we work with due to their personal circumstances and rural location. By supporting these children and their families we aim to: • Reduce isolation • Develop self-esteem • Improve social skills • Improve relationships All of the people we work with are referred to us by external statutory and voluntary agencies. We offer 3 core services - Family Support (adults), One-to-One Befriending (children) and Children's Group Work. Our overall objectives are to strengthen the social and emotional development of children, young people and their parents and carers; so they can become effective contributors to their communities. We do this in a number of ways, by providing opportunities for our service users to explore the challenges they face and gain new experiences in a safe environment with supportive staff and volunteers. In addition to one-to-one support and group work activities, we provide access to events throughout the year through our Family Support Service. These events give families a chance to spend time and have fun together, thus creating lasting memories with each other.
Availability
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2 hours on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
Frequency and commitment details
2 hours on a weekly or fortnightly basis.
Restrictions
Experience required: To be a positive role model for parents and carers by drawing on their experience and expertise. Demonstrating personal qualities such as commitment, empathy, good listener, patient and reliability. We would like our Family Support Volunteers to share their skills and interests with the parents and carers who are very keen to learn new things.
Travel details: Family First premises are at the Rose Lane Centre, which is a 2-minute walk from the Madras College bus stop on South Street. It will be agreed with you later whether you support an adult at their home, in the community or in the centre.
Minimum age: 18
Support
Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Any expenses incurred while undertaking your volunteering role will be re-imbursed.
Training details: Those wishing to volunteer must undergo Families First training which includes child and adult protection training and are subject to PVG enhanced disclosure checks. They ensure that there is on-going training and support for volunteers through formal and informal processes.
Support:
Named Contact For Volunteer