What skills and experience do I need?
The desirable and essential skills for each volunteering position vary, but most important is an interest in helping children.
One-to-one support worker
The support needs of the children and young people that attend NDCS events vary from event to event and child to child. We are looking for people with a variety of skills to fulfil these positions. One-to-one support worker is a challenging and rewarding role.
Working with children who have difficulty following the rules, those with behavioural problems, additional needs (such as ADHD, autism), disabilities (cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, physical impairments etc) or emotional difficulties (homesickness, shyness, low confidence). You may be asked to help a specific child at an event by:
- supporting children so that they integrate with the group
- explaining the rules in a way that they understand
- providing emotional support and reassurance where required.
Occasionally one-to-one support can include personal care. This may range from helping a child to put on cream to assisting with dressing, toileting etc. Please note that we would always ask support workers if they are happy to undertake this before agreeing to attend the event.
Essential abilities:
- An interest in working with children and young people.
- Willingness to work with individuals or small groups of children
Desirable abilities:
- BSL level 1 or above.
- Experience of working with children/young people with additional needs, disabilities or behavioural problems.
- Experience of providing personal care.
- Experience of behaviour management.
- Work as/training as support worker, learning support assistant, nurse, child minder etc.
TopGroup Supporters
Our group supporters are required at events to help supervise the children during activities and ensure they get the most out the event. We have both deaf and hearing volunteers at events and a typical event would require group supporters to assist with the following:
- Welcome children and families as they arrive at event
- Supervise small groups of children and young people during the activities. These may be outdoor (climbing, canoeing etc) sports or arts activities.
- Supervise small groups of children during breaks from the activities and moving between activities
- Ensure all children and young people understand any instructions This means working in partnership with other Group Supporters and Activity Centre staff/session supervisors.
- Encourage interaction between children and young people with varying communication choices.
- Ensure children and young people are safe, happy and adhering to NDCS codes of conduct.
Essential:
- BSL level 2 or above or equivalent (hearing volunteers only. Deaf volunteers do not have to have a BSL qualification)
- Interested in working with children and/or young people
Desirable:
- Experience of supporting communication in a small group situation
- Experience of working with children and/or young people
- Experience of working as part of an integrated deaf/hearing team
- Willingness to be flexible
- An interest in sports, arts and outdoor activities
- Willingness for deaf group supporters to act as a deaf role model
Communicator
The role of a communicator is to provide support to ensure there is open communication which is accessible for everyone.
Communicators are also responsible for the pastoral care and supervision of the children and young people along with Group Supporters.
Role Description
- Communicators are usually hearing or hard of hearing and have BSL Level 3 or above or equivalent due to the need to translate. The role mainly involves translating BSL into spoken English and spoken English to BSL so the staff, children and volunteers have a good time!
- You’ll be there at the beginning of activities, during break times and wherever needed to help provide support.
- Along with the group supporters you will be providing some pastoral care to ensure the children are all engaged and having a good time!
This is a fantastic opportunity to practice and develop your sign language with a diverse range of people.
Our communicators play a vital role at events. Without them the safety of the children and young people can be at risk. Due to the wide range of hearing and communication needs, communicators help bring people together!
Essential
- BSL level 3 or above or equivalent.
- An interest in working with Children and young people.
Desirable
- Experience of supporting communication in a small group situation.
What does a volunteer say about the role?
“I enjoy everything about it, seeing the children laughing, trying new things and having a ball gives you the biggest buzz. I have learnt loads of skills, and had opportunities to improve my communication skills, and due to the good organisation and atmosphere created for volunteers at events I also have more confidence. The events are all about the enjoyment and welfare of the children who attend but the NDCS really care about their volunteers too!”
- Communicator
Helper
We ask helpers to completed their BSL Level 1 or be of an equivalent standard. Typical roles will include making tea, registering the children, directing parents and helping to tidy up. Some would say this is the most important role!
We may also ask helpers to supervise children on coaches, which is always greatly appreciated.
If none of these roles suit you
If you are more interested in local regular volunteer work, go back to the What our volunteers do page and contact a local group in your area.
Other organisations that may need volunteers
If this is still not what you are looking for these other organisations also have volunteering opportunities that my interest you.
