Volunteer Hub
Parent Champion
Organisation Details
Barnardos
Sub theme: Disability, Mental Health, Youth Work and Young People
Stellify Award: This opportunity is part of 'Make a Difference'
Organisation Description: Barnardo's is the largest children's charity in the UK, providing vital local services, fostering and adoption support, and national campaigning. Founded in 1866 by Thomas John Barnardo, it operates hundreds of community programs to help vulnerable young people and families.
Description of role: * Due to the needs of our service users, this role is best suited for those with lived experience of supporting a family member with a disability, mature students, or those studying social work, family support, or a related discipline.
The Greater Manchester Keyworker Team works across the whole of Greater Manchester, supporting young people (and their families) with autism and/or a learning disability who are, or have been, at risk of admission to an inpatient mental health setting.
Can you be the positive, reliable presence a parent or carer can count on? The parents and carers in our service are incredible advocates for their children and young people. As a Parent/Carer Champion, you will play an important part in the wider support package. Your time, your voice, and your support could change someone’s day and their whole outlook, building confidence, empowerment and resilience, helping to access information, and navigate systems independently.
This role is about walking alongside a parent or carer at a time when they may need additional support for themselves.
What you might do:
Research local support groups together
Help to connect with like-minded parent/carers
Support engagement with hobbies or personal interests
Meet for a drink and a catch up
Provide information, advice and support to individual parent/carers to enable them to increase their confidence and resilience
Time Commitment:
4–6 hours per month for a year
Additional time for travel and recording visits
Supervision every two months
Access to a wide range of training opportunities
Drivers are preferred but not essential
All of our families are members of the Autism community. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of neurodiversity through training and direct experience. Without doubt you will develop a greater understanding of the positives and strengths of neurodiversity and the affirming practice and behaviours that support.
We work alongside a wonderfully diverse group of families and strive to reflect this diversity in our volunteers. As a service we are working towards the Cultural Cohesion Quality Mark and value applications from under-represented communities. We welcome applications from students of all backgrounds.
We particularly welcome applications from students living in the outer Greater Manchester boroughs (Wigan, Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside).
The Greater Manchester Keyworker Team works across the whole of Greater Manchester, supporting young people (and their families) with autism and/or a learning disability who are, or have been, at risk of admission to an inpatient mental health setting.
Can you be the positive, reliable presence a parent or carer can count on? The parents and carers in our service are incredible advocates for their children and young people. As a Parent/Carer Champion, you will play an important part in the wider support package. Your time, your voice, and your support could change someone’s day and their whole outlook, building confidence, empowerment and resilience, helping to access information, and navigate systems independently.
This role is about walking alongside a parent or carer at a time when they may need additional support for themselves.
What you might do:
Research local support groups together
Help to connect with like-minded parent/carers
Support engagement with hobbies or personal interests
Meet for a drink and a catch up
Provide information, advice and support to individual parent/carers to enable them to increase their confidence and resilience
Time Commitment:
4–6 hours per month for a year
Additional time for travel and recording visits
Supervision every two months
Access to a wide range of training opportunities
Drivers are preferred but not essential
All of our families are members of the Autism community. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of neurodiversity through training and direct experience. Without doubt you will develop a greater understanding of the positives and strengths of neurodiversity and the affirming practice and behaviours that support.
We work alongside a wonderfully diverse group of families and strive to reflect this diversity in our volunteers. As a service we are working towards the Cultural Cohesion Quality Mark and value applications from under-represented communities. We welcome applications from students of all backgrounds.
We particularly welcome applications from students living in the outer Greater Manchester boroughs (Wigan, Bolton, Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside).
Skills / qualities associated with the role: Oral Communication Skills, Written Communication Skills
Are volunteer expenses available?: Yes
Duration of role: Ongoing / Long term
Opportunity times: Monday Morning, Monday Afternoon, Monday Evening, Tuesday Morning, Tuesday Afternoon, Tuesday Evening, Wednesday Morning, Wednesday Afternoon, Wednesday Evening, Thursday Morning, Thursday Afternoon, Thursday Evening, Friday Morning, Friday Afternoon, Friday Evening
DBS required: On
Can reasonable adjustments be made regarding additional needs?: Yes
Is this organisation part of the Sports Volunteering Scheme (SVS)?: No
Minimum hours commitment: 2-6 hrs per month for one year
Location:
Gregory's Place, Ardwick Green North
Manchester
M12 6ES