THE ELFRIDA SOCIETY
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM
Name:
Address:
Telephone: Day:Evening:
How did you hear of The Elfrida Society?
Have you any experience of working with people with learning difficulties? (This is not essential).
Current employment and/or voluntary work
What interests and skills could you bring to the agency? (Everyone has something to offer - expertise, enthusiasm, an interest that you might share with a user of the agency, eg. speaking different languages, sporting skills, music, drama, etc.)
What day(s) and time(s) could you be available to volunteer? (volunteers usually commit themselves to 2-4 hours per week)
What do you hope to get out of doing voluntary work?
REFERENCES:
Please give the names and addresses of two independent referees who would be willing to supply a character reference (these must not be family members). You should not give your own doctor as a referee.
Name:Name:
Address:Address:
Tel:Tel:
E-mail:E-mail:
Occupation:Occupation:
How do you know them?
I confirm that the information I have given on this form is correct and that any misleading statements may be enough reason for cancelling any agreements made.
Signed______
Date ______
ABOUT VOLUNTEERING WITH THE ELFRIDA SOCIETY
The organisation provides services in Islington for people with learning difficulties, and a range of opportunities for volunteering. Our current projects are these:
Homelink - works with people in their own homes and local neighbourhoods.
Siren - runs creative arts and other groups for adults learning difficulties. There is also a ‘Drop-in’ session each week.
Advocacy and Access toHealth- working on health issues for people
with learning difficulties, also for general advocacy
Circles of Protection – works with service users who have been placed out of borough.
Sports – provides up to 9 groups a week to help improve physical fitness
Consultation – supported employment project comprising of User Led Monitors and the Power and Control group.
It would be helpful to know which of these you might be initially interested in, although some of the projects already have volunteers at the moment so we cannot promise a choice!
We use volunteers in a number of different ways to support our users and provide back up to staff.
You will need to have some understanding, or be able to develop your understanding, of the needs of people with learning difficulties.
We need people who are able to work within our equal opportunities framework. You will find a copy of our equal opportunities policy enclosed.
We need people who are able to spare a few hours a week - it would help us to know which days of the week and times of the day that you may be available.
Before we go ahead with any arrangements, we need to meet you and ask you to fill in our application form. We will also need the names of two referees, preferably someone who has worked with you, either in employment or education, etc.
We will then invite you to an interview. At this point it would be helpful if you could bring some form of personal identification - eg. driving licence or passport.
You will also need to undertake a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) application.
We offer the opportunity to gain valuable experience and provide support for volunteers within our projects.
The Elfrida SocietyEqual Opportunities Statement
Groups and individuals are sometimes treated differently or unfairly in societybecause of the way they look, talk, what they believe in and how they live. We think this is wrong.
We will not stop anyone from using services or working here because
of the way they look, talk, what they believe in, or how they live, as
long as it does not hurt or offend anyone.
We will not put up with any racial, or sexual, or other harassment by service users or by staff.
At the Elfrida Societywe need to make sure that everyone
is treated fairly, in everything we do.
This includes:
- the way we advertise jobs and publicise services
- who joins groups and works here
- the materials we use, (books, posters, videos etc.)
- the places we go
- the talks we have and the talks we give
- the way we treat each other
- the sort of training we have
We value the differences between people and would not want anyone to feel left out.
INFORMATION FOR VOLUNTEERS
USEFUL DO'S AND DON'TS
DO'S
-Remember why you are here - to support our service users and provide back up to staff.
-Inform the appropriate member of staff of any particular concerns you may have regarding the service users.
-let us know IN ADVANCE if you are sick or unable to turn up for sessions for any other reason.
-On outings - make sure that someone knows where you are and when you are expected back.
-Make sure you are familiar with the fire drill and location of first aid kits.
-Claim your travelling expenses - keep your tickets to give to the Finance Officer.
-Ask questions - if you're unsure about anything - no matter how small!
-Remember you are responsible for the care of your own possessions in the work place. Volunteers are advised not to bring items of value to The Elfrida Society projects. If volunteers bring their own possessions to The Elfrida Society projects for work purposes, they should obtain the agreement of the project manager beforehand.
Compensation for loss and damage in these or other circumstances may be considered at the Chief Executive's discretion.
DON'TS
DON'Tdiscuss service users 's private affairs with other users or anyone else.
DON'T promise service users confidentiality - if a service user chooses to talk to you about a personal matter, they will need to be made aware that you cannot promise secrecy.
DON'Tgive your home address/phone number to service users.
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