JEWISH CARE

Fun and informal dance facilitator volunteer

Wohl Court, Hendon

Role Summary: Wohl Court are seeking a fun and informal facilitator to plan and host an enjoyable weekly social dance session. The purpose of this activity is to bring a fun session for tenants to get them moving to music and have a good time whilst they do so! It could be a different theme or type of dance each week, a different style, music genre, or even artist, the volunteer would work with the group to see what they enjoyed and wanted to do. The volunteer does not need to be a qualified dance teacher, but some good moves, a basic understanding of different dance techniques (or willingness to learn), musical eras, and a fun outgoing demeaner are required.

Time Commitment:  As arranged with Wohl Court team. 2-3 hours per week maximum

How this role makes a difference:  Music and dance are a wonderful way to move the body, get the energy flowing, do some exercise, and have lots of fun at the same time! This activity is intended to bring some fun and some moves to Wohl Court each week. By covering lots of different styles, genres, or eras of music, it conjures up memories, conversation, and is hoped that everyone will enjoy showing off their moves! It is not intended as a formal class, but rather a fun hour one a week for people to let their hair down and move to the music!

What you’ll be doing in this role:

• Hosting a fun and informal, warm and welcoming dance session for Wohl Court residents each week
• Speaking to those who attend to see what they would enjoy covering each week
• Having flexibility towards tenants’ enjoyment and what they would like to cover each week
• Putting a playlist together for the session and/or reaching different dance styles/eras/musical artists each week (i.e. one week may be line dancing, one week ballroom or tea-dance, rock and roll, jive, salsa etc, some weeks may cover a particular genre of music or artist rather than a specific dance style – the volunteer would work with the tenants to see what they would enjoy doing)
• Encouraging people to join in and have fun (some less-able attendees may be dancing seated, others have a full range of movement)
• Making it fun! This does not need to be a formal dance class but is intended for people to enjoy the session each week and have fun whilst doing so!

Skills & experience required:

• Confident dancer who understands different genres and styles of music (does not need be a qualified dance teacher)  
• Outgoing personality and demeaner
• Understanding of different abilities of group members
• Reliability, consistency and dependability.
• To confidently engage with a diverse range of people and enjoy helping others.
• A strong understanding and of issues that affect people in later life.
• Good conversational and listening skills with a clear speaking voice.
• Patience, empathy and a non-judgemental attitude.
• Recognising what should and shouldn’t be done and when to seek advice or report concerns.

Induction, Learning & Development:
Training is available so volunteers can carry out their roles to the highest professional standards, develop new skills, build confidence, make new friends and take on new and increasingly responsible tasks. 

Jewish Care will provide the following training, essential for this role:

• Provide you with access to a Volunteer Handbook and all Policies and Procedures.
• Provide Induction Training:  Getting to know Jewish Care, Communication & Disability Awareness, Boundaries & Confidentiality, Safeguarding, Health & Safety, GDPR.
• Provide on the job induction.

Benefits of Volunteering with Jewish Care:

Without our volunteers, we simply couldn’t function.  We absolutely depend on you.  Whatever your age, disability, whether you are working, unemployed or retired, there are opportunities to help at Jewish Care.

As well as helping others you’ll get the chance to develop skills, build confidence and make new friends.

• Enhance the lives of older people, making a real difference to the Jewish Community we support.
• Be part of a great team and make new friends.
• Build your confidence and develop transferable skills.
• Access to a comprehensive training programme designed for the social care environment.
• Gain valuable experience and enhance your CV
  
  

Our aim is to enable people to enjoy a first-class experience as volunteers, making the most of their skills to make an impact on the communities that Jewish Care serve.

Why get involved with Jewish Care?
The work of Jewish Care and the services we provide to our community are vital.  We touch the lives of 10,000 people each week, with everything we do being underpinned by our Jewish values and ethics.  We provide services to:

• Older people
• People with Mental Health needs
• Holocaust Survivors
• People who are living with Dementia
• People with physical and sensory disabilities
• People who care for others

We can only do this thanks to our amazing professional staff of 1,400 and the 3,000 dedicated volunteers who help make our work possible.

Next Steps to becoming a volunteer at Jewish Care:
Step 1: Please complete an expression of interest form for this role, which will automatically create a profile on our volunteer management system.  After you have applied, we will be in touch to discuss this role in more detail.
Step 2: Following a successful conversation, with a member of the Volunteers Team or Hiring Manager you will be invited for an interview (and asked to bring identification with you).
Step 3: Following a successful interview, you will be offered the volunteering role and asked to add further information into your volunteer profile, providing two references and completing a DBS (previously CRB) application form online.  Additional paperwork may need to be completed for some roles e.g. volunteer driver.
Step 4: You will be invited to attend mandatory Volunteer Induction Training, as well as any specialist training relevant to your volunteer role. Training is to enable volunteers to carry out roles to the highest professional standards, develop skills, build confidence and meet other new volunteers
Step 5:  Mazel-tov/Congratulations! Once we have received and recorded a suitable DBS, satisfactory references and training has been completed, you are officially part of the Jewish Care Volunteer network!

This is a voluntary position that supports the work or our services and is not replacing the work of a paid member of staff.  This role does not form any part of any contract of employment.

If you have any questions at all about volunteering with Jewish Care or would like to discuss this, or look into other roles,  please contact volunteering@jcare.org or telephone 020 8922 2405.