Volunteering
Do you have a little time to spare? Want to access free training, gain experience - and make a difference to disabled adults?
The benefits of volunteering are well-known. Volunteering can bridge the gap between long-term unemployment and re-employment, giving the volunteer the opportunity to regain confidence, learn new skills and build self-esteem in an unthreatening environment. It can also be a valuable addition to your CV and provide a reference.
For those wishing to put a little free time to good use, working with disabled people on a voluntary basis is rewarding and enjoyable, knowing that providing that extra time and effort really makes a difference to the lives of our disabled clients.
Currently we have over a hundred volunteers, who are highly valued by both staff and clients and enjoy the support of a dedicated Volunteer Co-ordinator, who is on hand to answer questions. Many of our volunteers have been with us for many years either on site or at our Charity Shop in the village.
There are opportunities for you to meet our other Enham volunteer team members during the year at training and ‘thank you’ events.
Bringing a little of the outside community in
We are extremely grateful to our dedicated volunteers who offer a new perspective to the daily lives of our clients, by bringing a little of the outside community in, giving them the opportunity to meet new people and helping to provide new activities.
Volunteer Action Project and ‘Fit for Fun’
Although, we are already fortunate enough to have a group of people who volunteer regularly at Enham, we want to provide even more opportunities by developing our Volunteer Action Project. Increasing our need for Volunteers on- and off-site will enhance the recreation time for clients, as well as supporting their development. We currently have volunteers involved in a variety of fields including therapeutic horticulture, arts and crafts, drama, minibus driving, computer skills, literacy and numeracy and physiotherapy. ‘Fit for Fun’ is the part of the project created to increase opportunities for disabled and elderly people in the Andover area, giving greater access to sporting activities, to help increase fitness and providing social interaction with the outside community. Without the support of volunteers, we would not be able to offer these activities.
The project currently offers the following activities on a weekly basis either on site at Enham or at The Depot, Charlton, Andover.
Circuit Training
Relaxation
Table Tennis
Short Mat Bowls
Skittles
Dance & Movement
New Age Kurling
Enham has built on its relationships with other local disability organisations and many of the ‘Fit for Fun’ activities are now a mixture of disabled people from around Andover and Enham Clients. We hope to build on the range of sports and social activities and we have already been able to run pilots for Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Football.
Great Volunteering Opportunities
We need enthusiastic individuals with relevant skills and experience and a commitment to help disabled people. If you have a little time to give and would like to volunteer at Enham, please contact:
Tessa Makepeace, Volunteer Co-ordinator, on 01264 345836 for an informal chat, or email tessa-makepeace@enham.org.uk
For the latest Enham Volunteering Vacancies, click through to our Volunteering Vacancies section
