Want to make a difference? Do something fun and inspirational with a serious impact? Become a FriendZ Meetups Volunteer!
Social isolation and loneliness have a major impact on the health, well-being, and the life expectancy of adults with Down’s Syndrome. Down’s Syndrome Scotland’s exciting new FriendZ Meetups programme aims to tackle the loneliness and social isolation experienced by adults with Down’s syndrome in Scotland.
By becoming a FriendZ Meetups volunteer you can help young adults and adults with Down’s syndrome get out and about more, meet up with each other and grow their friendships as well as their confidence, self-esteem, and independence skills. On top of that, it's also fun, rewarding and will make a serious impact on people experiencing social isolation in Scotland!!
FriendZ volunteers will form part of a team of trained, skilled, volunteers who will support small groups of adults with Down’s syndrome to come together for monthly social, community Meetups designed to promote the development of friendships, social skills, community confidence and independent decision making. Volunteers will also support the group members in identifying activities, groups, and places of interest in their local community that they can access independently.
*The Role:
To support young people and adults with Down’s syndrome to participate in social activities in small groups within their local areas to develop and sustain friendships with their peers through engaging in fun group activities together and gain community confidence.
*What the role involves:
Activities will take place monthly in Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire during weekday evenings and during the day or evenings at weekends. The programme will offer a range of social activities lasting approximately 1-5 hours (3 hours on average)
Interviews and training will take place online.
A fantastic opportunity to help and all volunteers are greatly appreciated. If interested/for further details please contact Shaun Powell, Friendz Meetups Programme Development Worker at email: shaun.powell@dsscotland.org.uk or telephone: 07825586444.
Down’s Syndrome Scotland promotes the interests of people with Down’s syndrome and their families in Scotland by influencing public policy and attitudes. We provide a range of services and activities to help those with Down’s syndrome reach their full potential.
Flexible times available to suit volunteers-all help greatly appreciated.
Experience required: We’d like our Friendz volunteers to:
- Be open minded, accepting and non-judgemental – to see the world in a different way.
- Be reliable, consistent and work on your own initiative.
- Have good organisation, listening and communication skills.
- Be confident, kind, friendly, outgoing, with a great sense of humour.
- Have a willingness to learn, take the lead and also be guided by the group.
Full training will be provided
Travel details: Friendz Meetups will take place across a broad range of community venues and places of interest in Aberdeen City and surrounding areas of Aberdeenshire. Expenses paid for activity and travel costs and parking including mileage for car use (where appropriate).
Minimum age: 18
Expenses paid: Yes
Expenses details: Public transport costs, activity costs and a mileage allowance (where appropriate) will be paid monthly by funds transfer. Volunteers will be asked to provide receipts for the costs incurred.
Training details: Excellent support and relevant training is provided. Thorough online training including topics such as Down's syndrome awareness, communication skills and boundaries, relevant to the role will be provided. We support out volunteers through regular ongoing, online individual support and peer supervision sessions and training events .
Support:
Named Contact For Volunteer,
Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet