► Disabilities
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
Dysart After School ClubDysart is a special needs school for children aged 4 - 19 years with severe learning disabilities. The school runs a popular after school club for the children offering opportunities for them to get involved in a range ofactivities like cycling, swimming, trampoline, sports, bouncy castle and music and movement. Volunteers are needed to help deliver a range of activities with high quality care in a fun way that is reflective to the needs of the young people accessing the service. Volunteers will be working alongside professional play workers and responsibilities will include helping to set up and prepare the rooms, activities and plans for the sessions, and working as part of a team to support the young people attending the club. 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
The Holly Lodge Centre
Want to get back to nature? The Holly Lodge Centre is set in an idyllic spot in the gorgeous Richmond Park in a hundred year old Victorian farmhouse. The surrounding areas are amazing with deer’s and their young grazing - it’s amazing what you can spot. The volunteers needed at the centre are to provide classroom support, a web designer to add to their current site and interpretational actors who might like to research their roles. The aim of the centre is to give everyone knowledge and history about the park, particularly its natural elements. So for more information contact Alex
Kingston Advocacy Group
Kingston Advocacy Group was formed in 1989 to promote and protect the rights of the individual, providing them with a voice where that person may be unable to speak for themselves. There are many opportunities and roles within KAG. The advocacy work assists people in sorting out benefit, council tax, housing or financial problems. You may have to attend a doctor’s appointment to help the client get his/her illness across to the doctor. The people you will be helping have learning difficulties, physical disabilities, mental health issues or are otherwise vulnerable. KAG also have various other projects such as a mentoring scheme which you may wish to become involved in. For more information contact Alex A 12 month continuous commitment is required for this opportunity. As a result no 3rd year students can take part
Kingston Advocacy Group Appropriate Adult SchemeKingston Advocacy Group was formed in 1989 to promote and protect the rights of the individual, providing them with a voice where that person may be unable to speak for themselves. If it is necessary for a young person to go to a police station, it is a legality that an adult is present. Often the young person may not wish to contact a family member to fulfil this role. In this instance an ‘Appropriate Adult’ will provide the necessary adult presence. There may be times you will accompany a vulnerable person with learning difficulties or mental health issues. For more information contact Alex A 12 month continuous commitment is required for this opportunity. As a result no 3rd year students can take part
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
The Splash Youth Clubs are all based in the Kingston borough. These clubs deliver high quality activities such as arts and crafts, many different sports and fun games to young people, who may have learning or behavioural difficulties. Volunteers help coordinate and participate in the activities with young people. Good communication and listening skills are necessary as well as patience and understanding. Do you think you can have fun with these young people then contact Alex
Xpression Youth Club
The Xpression Youth Club is for young people aged between 12 and 19 years of age who have learning disabilities and behavioural problems. Volunteers are needed for 2 hours per week on a Tuesday evening, to work with the young people, organise a range of activities and to facilitate the club. The activities are varied including arts and crafts, drama, sport, music and food of the week. Occasionally there will be trips and outings. Interested? Contact Alex
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