About
Sense Virtual Buddying volunteers make a real difference to supporting young people and adults who may be lonely or isolated.
Sense matches volunteers with disabled people to meet for an hour a week ...
Community Champion Volunteer
Contact person
Scan me or visit www.volunteercambs.org.uk/o/Sense-Volunteers/activities/Community-Champion-Volunteer/94411 to join
Summary
As a Community Champion volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in helping us raise funds and awareness to support people with complex disabilitiesDetailed description
Make a difference in your community
As a Community Champion volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in helping us raise funds and awareness to support people with complex disabilities. You’ll engage with individuals, local businesses, and groups to share our mission, organise events, and inspire others to take action. Whether you’re great at public speaking, planning events, or connecting with your community, this role has something for you.
What does the role involve
- Fundraising: Organise and participate in events like bake sales or charity walks to support Sense’s work.
- Community Outreach: Raise awareness about our mission through conversations, presentations, and social media.
- Relationship Building: Develop partnerships with local businesses, groups, and other supporters.
- Public Speaking: Represent Sense at community events, spreading the word about our impact.
- Campaign Promotion: Help spread the word about fundraising initiatives and encourage donations.
- Ambassador Activities: Attend events such as cheque presentations to thank and connect with partners.
Please note, we’re not expecting each volunteer to do each item listed but instead focus on two or three areas. We’ll also look to shape the role around your strengths and skillsets as much as possible.
What We’re Looking For
- Being well-connected in your local area and love engaging with people.
- A strong communicator who enjoys encouraging others to get involved.
- Passionate about helping people with complex disabilities and motivated by our mission.
- Creative, organised, and good at prioritising tasks.
- Due to the nature of the volunteer role, we cannot accept applications for anyone under the age of 18.
What You’ll Gain
- Full training and ongoing support from Sense’s dedicated team.
- Opportunities to develop new skills in fundraising, leadership, and public engagement.
- A chance to build long-term relationships and networks in your community.
The rewarding experience of making a tangible impact on the lives of disabled people.
We're looking for multiple people for this role and so, please submit your application as soon as possible. We will be reviewing and interviewing people throughout the process.
About Sense
For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.
Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.
We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.
About Sense Volunteers
Sense matches volunteers with disabled people to meet for an hour a week on Zoom, over phone, by email, text or letter writing. Our volunteers have spent thousands of hours with their buddies — learning new skills, having fun, and forming fantastic friendships. Sense matches each volunteer with someone who has similar interests, to make sure you have a great time. You and your buddy choose a time that suits you, and you can decide what activities you’d like to do together.
The Role of a Virtual Buddy
Sense matches each volunteer with someone who has similar interests to ensure you’ll have lots of fun together. Once matched with a buddy, you will get to know each other remotely via video calls, phone calls, texting, emails or through letters.
You’ll arrange weekly sessions and plan fun things to do together – what this looks like will be inspired by your mutual interests. You could be gaming, doing arts and crafts, playing music, seed planting – there are so many possibilities! We will provide you with weekly themed activities to help to support you in planning your interactions with your buddy.
We’ll also keep in touch with you to ensure you have all the support you need.
The programme is open to all volunteers who are 16 and over. You don't need to have previous experience volunteering or caring for disabled people. We welcome people from all backgrounds and with all interests.
What we can Offer You
Before you start your volunteering role, we’ll make sure that you’ve had the training you need to feel confident. This will be delivered online and via video call.
While you’re volunteering with us as a Virtual Buddy, you’ll get:
A written account of your volunteering and references if required
Reimbursement of pre-agreed expenses (up to £25)
Volunteering as a Sense Virtual Buddy is a great opportunity to develop new skills and get to know new people whilst making a real difference to a person’s life.
Who we are Looking For
We need positive, empathetic volunteers who are passionate about supporting people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world. We are looking for volunteers who are great communicators and who are friendly, enthusiastic, positive and ready to have fun!
We’re also always looking for volunteers who have knowledge or experience of British Sign Language (BSL) and/or other communication methods like Makaton.
About Sense
For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.
Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.
We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.
If you have any questions regarding the role or would like some more information please contact the volunteering team at [email protected]
We’d love for you to consider joining us as a Sense Virtual Buddy!