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| Escorting Scheme |
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 Our Escorting Scheme provides volunteers for regular or one-off outings that the service user would otherwise find difficult to complete.
For example, you may escort a service user around a Supermarket once a fortnight or accompany them on a trip to the coast, pushing their wheelchair on your arrival (for which training will be provided).
Escorting may also involve helping service users on and off of buses. Whilst the volunteer is not expected to support the service user’s weight you can provide a steadying arm and offer reassurance.
Our escorting scheme covers the Forest Hill & Sydenham area.
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 a volunteer escort do?
Volunteers escort/accompany service users on one-off or regular journeys that the service user would otherwise find difficult to complete.
What else might be involved?
In order to escort a service user, you will need to befriend them, which means you will need to be able to listen, engage in friendly conversation and respect other’s views. You may need to push their wheelchair, for which training will be given. A trip may involve going to the coast for a day, taking someone to hospital or accompanying them on a shopping trip. Some volunteers use their own cars to escort service users.
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?
If you are a service user’s regular escort, this will involve a minimum commitment of 6 months. If you only assist service users on a one-off basis, a three month commitment is required. There is no maximum length.
 How frequently will I escort a service user?
The length and frequency will vary depending on the assignment – and can be flexible around your commitments. As a guideline, you should be available at least once or twice a month, during the day.
It is the volunteers’ responsibility to inform the Organiser of any changes, which must be discussed and agreed with the Organiser and the service user.
Who will I escort?
Service users are usually referred to the centre by Social and Health services. We also take referrals from friends, neighbours and sometimes the service users themselves. Service users whom we befriend come from all different walks of life and are facing a wide range of issues. For example, they may be a younger person trying to come to terms with disability, a single parent who has been bereaved or someone facing terminal illness. All of our service users live in the Forest Hill & Sydenham area.
Volunteers will be matched with service users at interview stage according to interests, preferences and geographical location.
How are we introduced?
Volunteers are given a photocopy of a letter we send out to service users detailing the time and date of their first outing. You will be expected to take this letter with you on your first trip as proof of your identity. The Organiser will phone both the volunteer and the service user after the trip to see how it went and deal with any potential problems.
Do I need experience?
No. However, an ability to listen, engage in friendly conversation and respect other’s views is essential.
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.
VOLUNTEERS RESPONSIBILITIES
As a volunteer escort for the Voluntary Care Centre, you will be expected to;
- Allow the service user to talk whilst you ‘listen actively’.
- Develop a trusting relationship to support and, where appropriate, enable the service user to pursue social activities and life skills. (regular service users)
- Engage in friendly conversation. It is important not to impose your opinions and beliefs on the service user.
- Take instruction from the service user on the best ways of handling the wheelchair (where appropriate) and attend wheelchair pushing training offered by the VCC.
- Respect others’ views.
- Be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
- Attend all relevant training and support sessions, including initial wheelchair pushing training where appropriate.
- Inform the organiser of any concerns that arise.
- 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.
- Inform the Organiser of any change to the length, frequency or nature of visits. (changes need to be agreed 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.
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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.
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