Voluntary Care Centre | Christmas Activities

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Annual Report 2010

Investing In Volunteers

Christmas Activities

At Christmas time the VCC transforms into a version of Lapland. We provide hampers to elderly and isolated adults, food hampers and vouchers to families and toys to children. All of this is provided to help individuals and families trying to make ends meet at what can be a very difficult and isolating time of year.

Every year we need volunteers to help us pack and sort goods. The activities begin in November and continue until Christmas week.

If you would like to find out more then you can view our task description below or email sarah@voluntarycarecentre.co.uk.

Task Description

What does being a Christmas Helper involve?
You will be required to sort goods and toys for packing. Wrap boxes for hampers and ensure lists are marked off accordingly. There may be other tasks which will be discussed and agreed to fulfil the project’s objectives.

What else might be involved?
You will be completing tasks within a team of volunteers, under the supervision of a VCC staff member. You will need to be adaptable and able to get on well with others.

How long will I have to commit to?
Christmas activities at the Centre take place in late November – December each year. You will need to be available during this time. There is no maximum commitment – we welcome volunteers from previous years.

How frequently will I be expected to help?
You will need to be available for a minimum of one day during the week, each week, or equivalent, or more frequently according to your availability.

Who is helped by the Christmas activities?
Service users are usually referred to the centre by Social and Health services, friends, neighbours and other Voluntary Organisations. All the service users that are helped live within the Forest Hill & Sydenham areas. They are either low-income families or vulnerable and isolated adults.

How and why are the service users helped?
The help provided is hoped to ease some of the burden and let people know they have not been forgotten at what can be a particularly lonely and stressful time of year for people facing a wide variety of issues. Families on low incomes are given food vouchers and new toys, so they can buy the extra’s that are needed for a Christmas day lunch and give their children a present on the day. In some cases, families will also be given a food hamper.

Double and single hampers are given to elderly, vulnerable and isolated adults. Other boxes of goods are given to social services, the hospital and other voluntary organisations to distribute accordingly. A visit to the pantomime is arranged each year as well as two Christmas day lunches held in local churches.

Do I need experience?
No. However, you do require good organisational skills as you will need to be able sort toys into age and gender categories, and distribute food items equally.

The Organiser is here to support you in your voluntary work and therefore welcomes feedback whether it is about any concerns you may have or just keeping up to date on your progress.

VOLUNTEER’S RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Christmas helper for the Voluntary Care Centre, you will be expected to;

Follow directions given to you by the Christmas Organiser.
Respect others’ views.
Be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
Be punctual: if you are unable to keep an appointment, you must inform the centre in good time (48 hours in advance when possible).
Inform the organiser of any concerns that arise.
Attend all relevant training and support sessions.
Agree to abide by the Equal Opportunities Policy of the Voluntary Care Centre.
Maintain confidentiality at all times.
Comply with VCC’s risk assessment guidelines.

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