Voluntary Care Centre | Grove Centre Social Club

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Annual Report 2010

Investing In Volunteers

Grove Centre Social Club

The Grove Centre Social Club is a club for people who have or are experiencing Mental Health difficulties. The club meets every Thursday night at the Grove Centre in Jews Walk, Sydenham and is open to residents throughout Lewisham.

It is run by a team of VCC volunteers who are on sight each week and supervised by a VCC staff member and a support officer employed by South London & Maudsley NHS Trust.

Volunteers receive training in Mental Health Awareness and are well-supported in their role. In return the VCC requires a minimum commitment of six months.

The club meets from 7-9pm each week and there are two meetings a month from 6-7pm. Volunteers are also encouraged to take on extra responsibilities and/or use their own unique talents to introduce new activities to the club. For example, artwork, dance or exercise.

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 is the Grove Centre Social Club?
The Grove Centre Social Club (GCSC) is for people who have, or are experiencing mental health problems, living in Lewisham. The club offers a warm, supportive and accepting atmosphere, but does not offer formal therapy. It is run by our volunteers and is overseen by the Organiser. It is held at the Grove Centre, every Thursday from 7–9pm.

What is involved in being a Grove Centre Social Club volunteer?
Volunteers and members are proactive in the running and development of the club.
The opening and locking up of the building is the responsibility of club volunteers and is carried out on a rota basis. Volunteers should actively encourage members to play their role in running the club. This may include, collecting subscriptions, welcoming new members or other tasks as appropriate. Volunteers interact with the service users, engaging in friendly conversation and listening, they also take part in the games and activities available, as well as regular members meetings. All of these skills and activities are used to help develop the confidence of members. There is currently a summer barbeque and a Christmas party, these are both organised by the club volunteers and supported by the VCC benevolent fund. Attendance at support and training sessions forms part of the Grove Centre Social Club volunteer commitment. Volunteers usually have a brief meeting about how the night went and you will be expected to participate in this.

What else might be expected?
The development and service demand may necessitate the introduction of extra activities or organising an outing for volunteers and service users. A file of information on other community facilities is being developed, so that volunteers are able to signpost members to relevant services. You will be expected to attend an induction and relevant ongoing training.

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

How long will I have to commit to?
Being a Grove Centre Social Club volunteer involves a minimum commitment of 6 months. There is no maximum length and some volunteers help for many years.

How frequently will I be needed?
Every Thursday from 7-9pm. On evenings with a personal development session (on the first Thursday of each month) or an operational development session (on the third Thursday of each month) you will need to be at the club from 6pm.

Do I need experience?
Some basic knowledge of mental health issues or a keen interest in finding out more is all that is needed.

What support am I given?
Volunteers’ are given a two stage induction into the club, mental health awareness training and other training as appropriate. Two development meetings are held monthly. The personal development sessions are run by a Facilitator who is a mental health professional and will help you to develop in you role, whilst the operational sessions are run by the VCC Organiser and help the club keep on top of business/administrative issues; on these nights you will need to be at the club an hour earlier.

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 GCSC volunteer for the Voluntary Care Centre, you will be expected to;

Allow the users to talk whilst you ‘listen actively’.
Develop trusting relationships to support and, where appropriate, enable the service user to pursue social activities and life skills.
Engage in friendly conversation, whilst respecting other’s views. It is important not to impose your opinions and beliefs on the service user.
Work as part of a team.
Collect and return keys – according to the rota.
Open the centre before members arrive.
Welcome members as they arrive and sign them into the register.
Buy fresh milk each session and tea and coffee as needed.
Facilitate activities and user meetings; joining in if appropriate. Use own individual skills and interests to facilitate activities.
Hold club entrance fees & up date petty cash records.
Clean and clear up at the end of the sessions.
Stay behind to debrief with the other volunteers on the nights events.
Take a pro-active interest in the running and development of the club.
Complete other tasks as appropriate as agreed with the Grove Centre, the Organisers at the Voluntary Care Centre and/or other volunteers.
Inform the organiser or the support facilitator of any concerns that arise.
Be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
Attend all relevant training and support sessions.
Be punctual: if you are unable to attend, you must inform the other volunteers’ or the centre in good time (48 hours in advance when possible).
Inform the organiser of any unattended 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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