Volunteering
Volunteering
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Kingston University Studentsí Union,
Penrhyn Road,
Kingston upon Thames,
Surrey,
KT1 2EE
Tel: 0208 547 8868
Fax: 0208 547 8862
Bedelsford School
Bedelsford School provides a stimulating environment for pupils aged 2 - 17 years with a wide range of physical disabilities and a variety of complex needs. Founded in 1905, the school has evolved to meet the changing needs of children who require a range of therapies alongside their education. The school caters for pupils with profound and multiple learning disabilities as well as those who need expert medical support, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, speech and language teaching and occupational therapy. There are a range of ways that volunteers can get involved at this lovely school. You can provide support with classroom based activities, sports lessons, school productions and swimming trips. Volunteers are needed to support the physiotherapist sessions and could work alongside the various other therapists based at the school. Anyone who could run specialist activities like photography or hair and make up sessions would be welcomed. Or you might chose just to spend half an hour over a lunch hour chatting and socialising with the pupils. For more information contact Celina
The Befriending Project
The project provides individual befrienders for young people aged 12 to 19 years with learning/physical disabilities to help them lead a more independent life, have fun and give their parent/carers a break. A befriender will help the disabled teenager take part in leisure and sporting activities in the community or in the young person’s home. The type of activities you could get involved include shopping, swimming, football, cinema or eating out . As a befriender you can be a positive role model for the young person by helping to broaden their social horizons. So if you can help a young person with disabilities to become more independent whilst having fun please Contact Alex
The Buddy Scheme
The Buddy Scheme is a befriending project that matches volunteers with adults with learning disabilities so they can enjoy their social time and leisure activities. The aim of the project is to help to reduce social isolation amongst adults with learning disabilities by providing volunteer befrienders, enabling them to enjoy leisure activities, encouraging choice and independence. The Buddy Scheme is open to adults with learning disabilities in the Borough of Kingston. Volunteers visit the service-user they are matched with on a one-to-one basis, regularly over a long period of time, and participate in a shared activity with that person. The amount of time a volunteer spends with the service-user depends on the leisure activity, and so may vary from outing to outing depending on what they agree to do. The role of a volunteer is purely as a befriender. A definition of befriending is: “Befriending offers supportive, reliable relationships through volunteer befrienders to people who would otherwise be socially isolated”. Volunteers are not carers, escorts, or support workers. Befrienders are there for the service-user they visit and not to relieve other services, support or carers in any way. For more information contact Alex
Epsom Riding for the Disabled
This organisation started with one Shetland Pony called ‘Bubbles’ and four riders in 1969, from commercial stables in Epsom. Now they have their own facilities and have at least 200 regular disabled riders aged 5 - 65, who are taught to ride for health and wellbeing. There are many opportunities to help out with a range of events at the stables. Volunteers are needed to assist with fundraising activities like the annual dog show and other events throughout the year such as horse shows, gymkhanas, open days, show jumping and treks with the horses. For more information contact Alex
Girl Guiding
Girl Guiding
MEND
MEND is a lifestyle change programme for over-weight children and their families. It tries to reduce obesity levels through a combination of exercise, knowledge and nutrition. It runs projects for kids of 8-11 years in
Spartan Swimming Club
The Spartan Swimming Club for the physically disabled has been going for over 50 years. The club provides valuable support to physically disabled swimmers from 5 to 80 years of age. The disabilities can range from cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, amputees, stroke victims or sight/hearing impairment. The volunteer must be happy to swim up and down the pool with their partner offering them guidance and support. Very often their partner will lack confidence in the water and will therefore need lots of encouragement. In the case of blind partners you may find that they need to be lead as well as vital swimming supervision. For more information contact Alex
Splash Youth Clubs
Splash Youth Clubs provide high quality games and activities for young people between the ages of 8 - 12. This youth provision takes place during term time and aims to engage with young people in their communities. The clubs are held weekly at four sites around the borough and offer a range of activities. The volunteers help to co-ordinate and participate in the activities which cover, sports, cooking, arts and crafts, games, DJ and Karaoke. The equipment needs to be put out and tidied away at the beginning and end of each session. You may interact with the young people on an individual or group basis. For more information contact Alex
Walking for Health
‘Walking for Health’ has a variety of different walks and schemes throughout the borough benefiting all levels of fitness. These walks are beneficial for people who are trying to reduce problems with heart disease, strokes and osteoporosis. The walks also aid recovery from major surgery as part of rehabilitation. However, the major benefit is tackling obesity and keeping people fit. You will lead one of the scheduled walks ensuring that the participants are walking at a comfortable pace. There is generally one lead walker at the front and one at the back to cater for both fast and slow walkers. You will follow the tailored walks by doing a warm-up, a pulse raiser and a brisk walk without over exertion then the cool down. Walks last 60-90 minutes, often with a scheduled stop for a coffee and a chat. For more information contact Alex
