Everyday Living Program Volunteer

About Volunteering at Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

About the ELP team

Our team at Sense College Rothwell consists of 9 Support Workers and 3 Activity Coordinators who support our individuals on our Everyday Living Program to experience a whole range of activities both in the college and out in the community. Our activities in the centre include cookery, art and craft sessions, sound baths, sensory stories, music sessions, gardening and all sorts of different activities that we tailor to match the sensory abilities of our individuals.

Key duties

• Supporting staff and individuals during activities – although you will not be working in personal care, assisting individuals with eating and drinking, and you won’t be doing any manual handling.
• Helping to keep the working environment clean and tidy.
• To help set up and clean up after activities when required.

Skills & qualities

• A helpful and friendly nature
• To be able to work on your own initiative sometimes.
• Honesty and openness
• To be able to keep calm in difficult situations.
• To be able to maintain a level of professional discretion.

What Sense offers

• A full induction with ongoing support and guidance from the Sense volunteering team.
• The chance to be involved in a wide range of exciting activities and events.
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense and the people we support.
• Your travel expenses to and from your sessions will be covered by Sense, and you will have a budget for activities each week (agreed in advance).
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request).

Our Values

Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers:

• We’re creating change
• We’re always learning
• We’re better together