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Further Reading |
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"The book you need. Recommended" Overseas Jobs Express |
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TAKING
A GAP YEAR
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Gap
Year Listings
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Please note these listings are intended as guidelines
only and are not current vacancies |
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WORCESTERSHIRE
LIFESTYLES
Woodside Lodge, Lark Hill
Road, Worcester WR5 2EF, UK.
Tel: 01905 350686
Fax: 01905 350684
Worcslifestyles@care4free.net
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Special
projects - known as Independent Living Partnerships
(ILP) have been set up in the counties of Herefordshire
& Worcestershire with the aim of helping people
with disabilities in their everyday life.
Volunteer Workers are required to assist with these
projects, working mainly in a one to one situation
with someone with a disability or occasionally within
a group setting. The disabilities of our Service
Users vary considerably, for example: Cerebral Palsy,
Multiple Sclerosis, multiple disabilities, back
problems, Acquired Brain Injury and Spina Bifida.
Volunteer Workers are recruited by Lifestyles on
behalf of social services and receive training,
guidance, support and supervision from Volunteer
Supervisors employed by Social Services.
Work
The Volunteer Workers role is to carry out everyday
tasks for the user acting as their arms and legs,
not their brain as one service user commented. For
example intimate personal care, sharing leisure
interests, shopping and housework so that people
with disabilities can take full control of their
own life. Some projects require cover for up to
7 days a week, 24 hours a day (usually 3 Volunteer
Workers would work on this project using a rota
system), this would include sleep overs, weekends
and Bank Holidays; all Volunteers are entitled to
at least 2 days off each week.
Your social services Volunteer Supervisor is available
to offer appropriate guidance, support and training.
Social services will provide you with Moving and
Handling Training, and you may also have the opportunity
to access First Aid Training.
Volunteer Workers can gain useful experience in
assisting people with disabilities to overcome difficulties
and achieve improvements in quality of life.
Duration
Volunteer Workers are asked to give a minimum
of 4 or 6 months full time commitment to the scheme.
It may be possible to arrange a placement during
college vacations.
Where
Worcestershire.
Wages
A weekly allowance of £58.88 is paid by
social services to all Volunteers Workers; this
is for food and personal use. Free accommodation
is provided by social services. This is usually
a fully furnished two to four bedroom flat or house
to be shared with other workers. Heating and lighting
bills are paid by social services.
Free travel to and from placement, paid for by social
services. Return fares to and from home within the
UK are covered at the beginning and end of a placement.
Upon completion of an agreed 4 month commitment
the allowance paid is £70.76 OR £141.52
upon completion of an agreed 6 month commitment.
Application Details
Contact the address above for an application
form.
Further Information
Being a Volunteer Worker can be a useful introduction
for people seeking a career in social services and
other caring professions. It can be personally satisfying
and enjoyable experience.
If you are waiting to take up a place in higher
education, considering a change in career or are
taking time out to decide your future, Independent
Living Partnerships is a wonderful opportunity to
gain experience and to develop your independence
and personal skills.
After successfully completing a placement Volunteer
Workers frequently go to college or into full time
employment. Lifestyles or Social Services Department
personnel upon request can provide references. |
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