BAY18 - Activity Support DIY Volunteer in Lancaster
Our ability to provide a comprehensive and individually targeted programme of activities and non-clinical support for our in-patients can be enhanced by volunteers. This is evidenced through self-governance evaluations and client feedback. Volunteers can assist the Occupational Therapy Team in providing therapeutic activities to in-patients under supervision.
- To provide specific support to in-patient clients to improve and/or learn DIY skills, (these could be painting and wallpapering, general DIY, furniture upcycling or basic joinery depending on the skills of the individual volunteer). This would be on the male ward at The Orchard, Lancaster.
- All on ward activities will be pre-arranged and monitored by staff in line with client need on a daily or weekly basis. All activities will be supervised by a member of ward staff.
- Volunteers to attend unit at pre-arranged times and report to reception where an appointed supervisory member of the OT/activity team will meet them.
- All activities to be risk assessed by appropriate ward staff.
An Enhanced DBS with Adult Barring is required for this role. There is no charge to a volunteer for a DBS application.
Essential requirements for this role are:
- To follow instructions of OT staff as to activity to be facilitated and any relevant client information.
- Chat to people in groups or individually.
- Build relationships with clients, giving them confidence to make friends and join in.
- Encourage and help clients to take part in activities.
- Ensure service users are engaging with the activity safely, and alert supervising staff to any issues.
- Help staff to set up and clear down the room. Prepare equipment and materials in advance of the activity taking place.
- Feedback any relevant and appropriate information to staff at the end of the session or beforehand if necessary.
- Develop potential new activity ideas alongside staff members and service users.
- Having some degree of expertise in a relevant trade or DIY/upcycling furniture is essential.
- Good people skills are required as a lot of direct interaction will take place with the service users.
- Be able to manage individuals or small groups of people undertaking an activity.
- Be enthusiastic about your chosen activity
- Be friendly and approachable – able to build a rapport with service users.
For this role applicants must be over the age of 18
To apply please click the link below
