Why volunteer?
Although Headway now has paid staff we still rely a great deal
on the kindness and support of our volunteers. Volunteers
can be of help in many ways from making the drinks to providing
the much needed 1 to 1 attention for clients to helping out
at our Charity shop.
You'll be introduced to all kinds of people with
a wide variety of backgrounds and stories to tell. You'll discover
new talents that you didn't even know you had!
But best of all you'll make new friends.
What can volunteering at Headway give
you?
- The opportunity to learn new skills and interests
- Training and support
- Satisfaction in knowing that you are helping improve
the lives of others
- Volunteer Handbook
- BHSF health scheme option
- Volunteer AGM
- Lunch & travel expenses
- Headway Sweatshirt
- New friends
- A better understanding of brain injury
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All Volunteers will be supervised by staff. The
Personnel department staff will maintain contact and
support for the Volunteers and deal with any problems.
As you will be working with vulnerable adults, you must provide
two references. We also send for CRB checks on all our volunteers.
We usually require a minimum committment of at least one session
or half day per week and three months of volunteering. We
can be somewhat flexible on this following discussion
So how can you help ?
Volunteers can get involved in a range of activities including
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VOLUNTEERING IN SOCIAL REHAB
ACTIVITY
ASSISTANT– the largest
percentage of help is required helping the clients in sessions
either on a 1 to 1 basis or as part of a group. This
may also involve going to offsite activities. This can
be across a wide variety of areas to include helping
clients to relearn skills in Reading , Writing, Money handling,
Maths, English, Grammar, Spelling etc.
Cognitive – Reasoning,
problem solving, memory, following instructions
Computing – at
many different levels, we require people who can support
or teach computer skills.
Craft
work – across
a broad range. Sewing, Woodwork, Pottery
Social
& leisure activities
Aspects
of Daily Living – cookery, budgeting, laundry, s
Horticulture
- gardening, allotment, herb garden etc.
GENERAL
HELPER To make
client drinks, wash up, chat to clients and give support
etc.
We do not require our volunteers to assist
clients with personal care, but volunteers can train in
this area if they so wish.
No special skills are always necessary, just
enthusiasm, patience and a sense of humour. You will receive
an induction on your first day at the centre and you will
be given on-the-job training where required. You will always
work closely with professional staff.
Social Rehab days require volunteers to work between 10.00am
- 2.30 pm (a half day can also be arranged).
There is also an eveing Way Ahead club for brain injured people
once a month on a Thursday - we always welcome volunteers at
the Way Ahead.
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VOLUNTEERING IN COMMUNITY SERVICES
There
are several opportunities for people to volunteer in
this area. There are many support and training
events at which we need help. We also need trainers
and therapists who can offer services voluntarily. Help at
support groups and social events is also welcome
Community activities operate at different times of the day
and support groups may be in the evenings.
No special skills are necessary, just
enthusiasm, patience and a sense of humour. You will receive
an induction on your first day and you will
be given on-the-job training where required. You will always
work closely with professional staff. Special skills such as
councelling may also be useful in this area.
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VOLUNTEERING IN SPECIFIC SKILL AREAS
OFFICE
WORK
We quite often have vacancies for people wanting to volunteer
in the offices and Personnel departments. Whether you
have computer, typing or reception skills, we can usually find
a need for your help.
We are always keen to find people who can offer
specific skills such as
Website design, Computer experts, Fundraising, Administration,
Press Officer etc
Also if you have any particular skills that you
could bring to a session for clients or a training day for
carers etc. these are very welcome. Example may be alternative
therapies, medical therapies, creative skills etc.
These kind of skills may be required on a sessional
basis or as a 'one off' - if you think you have something to
offer that may be of interest to our clients please give us
a call to discuss further.
0121-457-7541 - Personnel Department
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VOLUNTEERING AT THE CHARITY SHOP
Headway rely considerably on the volunteers
who work in our Charity Shop. In fact we would not be able
to keep it open without the vital support of volunteers.
We therefore are always pleased to recruit new helpers.
To
help in the charity shop at Great Barr, there are a variety
of tasks you may wish to help in such as steaming, sorting,
serving etc. The choice is yours, there is no pressure
and we are happy for any extra help.
Please refer to our section on the HWM
Charity Shop on the left for more details of the
shop.
Most volunteers work for a day in the shop
(half day can be arranged if possible). The shop
is open 6 days Monday to Saturday.
No previous experience or special skills
are required to volunteer at the shop.
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