Voluntary Care Centre | DIY/Decorating

Sitemap | Links

Annual Report 2010

Investing In Volunteers

DIY/Decorating

Our DIY & decorating scheme matches volunteers for one-off tasks to help service users in the Forest Hill & Sydenham area.

Requests vary greatly and we need volunteers with a wide variety of talents who are willing to be called upon infrequently.

Can you fit a shelf? Assemble a flat-pack? Fix a loose hinge? Tile a bathroom wall? Or paint a hallway?

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 DIY/Decorating volunteer involve?
You will be asked to visit service users and work on a specific task they have requested help with. For example, fitting a toilet seat, painting, or hanging curtain rails. All visits are one-off’s.

What else might be included?
You will need to be able to get along with a wide variety of people and be able to communicate effectively with the service user. The service user or the centre will provide any tools you may need. If you have your own tools and wish to use them, please discuss this with the Organiser.

You will also be expected to attend VCC support sessions for all volunteers (held 3-4 times each year).

How long will I have to commit to?
Being a DIY/Decorating volunteer involves a minimum commitment of three months. There is no maximum commitment.

How frequently will I be expected to help?
This will vary according to waiting list and/or requests. However, you will ideally be available twice monthly.

Who will I help?
Service users are usually referred to the centre by Social and Health services, friends, neighbours and sometimes the service users themselves. Service users come from all different walks of life and are facing a wide range of issues. To receive our help service users must live within the Forest Hill & Sydenham areas, be physically unable to complete tasks themselves or to pay for the assistance.

How are we introduced?
During the probationary period (six weeks) volunteers are given a photocopy of a letter we send out to service users detailing the time and date of their visit and the task to be completed. You will be expected to take this letter with you as proof of your identity. After six weeks you will be given an identity card. The Organiser will phone both the volunteer and the service user after the visit to see how the visit went.

Do I need experience?
Experience of completing a task you are undertaking is beneficial. You will not be expected to complete tasks you feel are outside your scope of knowledge and/or experience.

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 DIY/Decorating volunteer for the Voluntary Care Centre, you will be expected to;

Have the skills and practical experience for the task you are undertaking (where appropriate).
Be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
Respect others’ views.
Inform the organiser of any concerns that arise.
Attend all relevant training and support sessions.
Be punctual: if you are unable to keep an appointment, you must inform the service user or the centre in good time (48 hours in advance when possible).
Inform the Organiser of any unattended appointments or extra duties undertaken during a visit. (changes need to be known by the Voluntary Care Centre for monitoring and insurance purposes)
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.

Go back to the previous page.

Go Back

Exciting New Development with Deptford Drop-in

Buy Greeting Cards & Support the Voluntary Care Centre

Voluntary Care Centre Trustees/Management List 2009

Investing In Volunteers Award

VCC at the make a difference awards

Thursday 4th March saw the first Make a Difference Award ceremony (held by Lewisham Council in partnership with Volunteer Centre Lewisham) which celebrates the contribution that volunteers make to the borough of Lewisham.

Sponsored walk update & abseil

Due to restricted resources at the VCC, we will not be holding a walk again this year.

However, we do have five people raising money for the VCC by participating in a Sponsored Abseil on Sunday 4th July. The abseil will be down the side of Kings College Tower.

Fundraising quiz night

On Friday 26th March, ten teams competed to be VCC quiz champions. Participants paid £5 each to enter and contributed generously to our raffles.

VCC Referrers day

On Wednesday March 10th, the VCC held their annual Referrer's Day. This is an opportunity for us to spread the word about the work of the VCC and ensure that other organisations have the right information about what we do.

March - volunteer support session

On the afternoon of Wednesday 24th March, police support community officer Daryl Angus came to talk to volunteers about many of the issues concerning local people in the Perry Vale Ward of Lewisham.

Copyright © 2010 |

| | | | | |