Voluntary Care Centre | School Helpers

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Annual Report 2010

Investing In Volunteers

School Helpers

School helpers volunteer in schools (currently primary schools only) in Forest Hill & Sydenham for at least a morning or afternoon each week during term time.

Tasks can vary greatly but will involve supporting children in their allocated tasks. You might be supervising cookery, spelling, maths or reading stories to a group of children.

Volunteers will need to undergo a police check through the VCC and make a minimum commitment of two term or six months.

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 volunteer school helper involve?
Being a school helper means assisting the teacher with preparing materials and supervising the children in their activities. You will have to complete a police check with the Voluntary Care Centre first, which usually takes 4-6 weeks.

What else might be involved?
Tasks undertaken by volunteers in schools vary greatly. You might be supervising children with cookery, computer skills, writing, reading or arithmetic. The Organiser will discuss with you the best placement for your interests and skills.

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?
A minimum commitment of two terms or 6 months will be required.

How frequently will I be needed?
We ask for a minimum commitment of one day a week, however, this might mean two afternoons or mornings, depending on your circumstances. More hours/days are available if required. Volunteering takes place during term-time only.

Which School will I help at?
All schools are in the Forest Hill & Sydenham area. The Organiser will discuss which school is best for you at the interview stage.

How are we introduced?
You will have a named contact at the school and we will arrange for you to meet with them when you begin. You may be asked to go on a visit to the school before your placement starts.

Do I need experience?
No. However, good basic literacy and numeracy skills are beneficial.

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 School helper for the Voluntary Care Centre, you will be expected to;

Have basic numeracy and literacy skills.
Be able to communicate clearly and effectively.
Follow instructions given by your appointed contact.
Help children develop skills in accordance with their lessons.
Be impartial – it is important that you do not impose your opinions and beliefs on the children or school.
Respect others’ views.
Inform the organiser of any concerns that arise.
Be punctual: if you are unable to keep an appointment, you must inform your school contact or the centre in good time (48 hours in advance when possible).
Inform the Organiser of any change to the length, frequency or nature of assistance you are providing the school. (changes need to be agreed by the Voluntary Care Centre for monitoring and insurance purposes)
Attend all relevant training and support sessions.
Agree to abide by the Equal Opportunities Policy of the Voluntary Care Centre and the school you volunteer with.
Maintain confidentiality at all times.
Comply with VCC’s risk assessment guidelines.

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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.

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