We are committed to supporting our volunteers and to making their time with us a valuable experience.

You will be offered an induction, a named member of staff to liaise with, regular support with the Volunteer Co-ordinator responsible for your chosen area of work, opportunities to meet with the other volunteers and take part in relevant training.

All volunteers who have direct contact with service users are required to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check, in keeping with current legislation.

The Fitzalan Howard Day Centre

The centre provides day services for up to 30 adults each day throughout the year, closing only for Bank Holidays.

Every service user that attends the centre has either a physical or learning disability, and many have both. Some use wheelchairs, and some use communication aids.

Activities are planned by the staff team and many take place outside of the centre, using one of our three vehicles to transport those taking part.

Some service users attend college courses during a part of the day, and they may need support to get to and from college, or with a particular aspect of their course.

All service users are encouraged to develop personal interests and goals, and we identify what type of support they may need to realise their ambitions.

Key areas of interest are:

Art and craft

IT skills

Nutrition, diet and cookery

Drama and music

Work experience

Life skills, including understanding finance

Sport and leisure, including using a gym, swimming and boccia

Use of photography and video

Sensory development

Health awareness

1:1 support to access community-based activities

We welcome creative and innovative approaches to all of the above and value the diversity of ideas that volunteers can offer and share.

Becoming a volunteer at the centre offers valuable experience for those who are interested in pursuing a career in social care, teaching or health related fields. We may be able to assist with securing a place on the accredited course "Certificate in Community Volunteering" at Northbrook College .

CHARITY SHOPS

Worthing and District Scope has two charity shops; one in Rectory Road , Tarring, and the other in South Farm Road . The shops sell good quality second-hand items (not electrical) that have been donated by members of the public.

Both shops are run entirely by volunteers, who agree to offer a certain number of hours on fixed days. Each shop is managed by a nominated volunteer and the Administrator for Worthing and District Scope, who, between them, co-ordinate staffing rotas, emergency cover and address practical issues that arise.

Service users from the day centre have work experience placements in the shops, and they are supported by a named shop volunteer whilst there. In turn, this volunteer is supported by the Keyworker at the centre.

Key tasks at the shops are:

Meeting members of the public

Taking delivery of donations

Sorting and pricing items

Organising and processing stock

Window display, including seasonal themes

Handling money and keeping accurate records

Bagging-up unwanted or unsold items for collection

Reporting any health and safety issues

Security of premises

FUNDRAISING

Throughout the year, Worthing and District Scope organises fundraising events to support the work that it does.

Volunteers are vital to this aspect of the organisation; some are involved in every activity, but others have a special interest or talent that they offer for specific events.

For example:

Running a stall at one of our fetes

Providing goods for the stall (prizes, cakes, plants, craftwork, books etc.)

Contacting other organisations, businesses etc. for the donation of raffle prizes

Holding small fundraising events in their own home

Street collections

We also have a team of volunteers who help us with our stall and collection boxes at the South of England show at Ardingly; we are fortunate to be allowed the collection rights at this prestigious show, and every volunteer who comes along to help is given a free entry ticket. All that we ask is that you give your time to us in the morning, and you are then free to enjoy the show and stalls in the afternoon.

Volunteers who have an expertise in the area of fundraising, applying for grants, or who would like to develop their skills in this line, are particularly welcome to contact us.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

The Fieldwork area of our work is a developing service, and we need the support of volunteers to help us to start new initiatives that will further the level of support that we can offer to parents of young children, carers and independent adults with CP.

These may include:

Support groups

Swimming sessions with young children

Gathering items for the Newsletter

Assisting with the organising of awareness raising events

As with the volunteers who work at the centre, this type of involvement provides excellent experience for those who are interested in pursuing a career in social care, teaching or health related fields. We may be able to assist with securing a place on the accredited course "Certificate in Community Volunteering" at Northbrook College .

If you are interested in any of the above opportunities, or would like to discuss a volunteering proposal with us, then please contact the Community Liaison Worker on 01903 821437. We will arrange to meet with you to answer all your questions and to explain the process of becoming a Worthing and District Scope Volunteer.

Thank you for your interest.

	Worthing and District Scope abides by the Worthing's Volunteer Charter that has been drafted by Worthing's Volunteer Co-ordinators' Forum, which is an initiative hosted by Worthing Volunteer Bureau and Council for Voluntary Service. The Forum meets 4 times a year to develop good practice in volunteering in the town.