Volunteering

VOCAL - the Voice of Carers Across Lothian

VOCAL Carers Centre, 8-13 Johnston Terrace, EDINBURGH, EH1 2PW

T. 0131 622 6666. F. 0131 622 7621. E. centre@vocal.org.uk

volunteering

Volunteers are an integral part of the team at VOCAL. Our volunteers come from a wide variety of backgrounds and have bags of enthusiasm, commitment and a general willingness to make a difference to the lives of carers. Training and support is given to our volunteers, and regular social events are organised too. Come join us!

Would you like to support carers?

Caring is a different experience for everyone. Many people will struggle to find the information they need, others will need assistance to decide what to do, some will find they need someone to listen. All will appreciate being valued and supported. Our volunteers provide frontline services, receive comprehensive induction and training, regular and consistent support, and the fun of working in a lively team environment. Volunteers support VOCAL in three different ways:

What opportunities are there?

Centre Volunteers

Volunteers at the two VOCAL offices provide general administrative support. They carry out a wide variety of tasks and we try our best to make sure that you will be doing things that you have an interest in.

Each volunteer receives regular support, supervision and ongoing training. We welcome people from any walk of life; all you need is to be able to offer a few hours a week on a regular basis and have an understanding of what being a carer is all about.

To find out more about volunteering opportunities within the Carers Centre contact Jane Greenacre, Centre Volunteer Co-ordinator on tel. 0131 622 6666 or email jgreenacre@vocal.org.uk

Volunteer Carer Advocates

The Carers Advocacy Service trains carers and former carers to become carers' advocates.

Advocates support carers in ensuring that their views are heard. They work with the carer to help them reach the best outcome possible if they are experiencing difficulties with professionals. Advocates can help by finding out information, writing letters for the carer, going to meetings with them, providing extra support or sometimes speaking on their behalf at meetings. Basically, advocates support the carer in getting their views heard in whatever way benefits the carer.

Being an advocate can be a rewarding and challenging experience. To be an advocate you do not need specific qualifications but you do need to have an interest in other people, an ability to listen and an ability to speak out on behalf of someone else. Full training, expenses, support and supervision are provided.

The advocacy service plans to run the next training course for new advocates in the autumn and is keen to hear from anyone who might be interested.

Please contact Mark on 0131 622 7625 or email mjohnston@vocal.org.uk for further information.

Volunteer Counsellors

The Carers Counselling Service offers one-to-one Counselling to carers and former carers who are experiencing emotional difficulties. All the counsellors are qualified to Diploma level or are currently in training on a recognised Diploma level course. They all receive clinical supervision at the BACP agreed levels.

If you are a qualified counsellor or currently training, the project may be able to offer you a placement. Volunteer counsellors with the project are expected to offer a minimum of three client contact hours a week. Travel expenses and supervision are provided by the project.

For more information about the selection procedure please contact Ada on 0131 466 8082 or email ablair@vocal.org.uk

VOCAL is the voice of carers across Lothian.

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