Organisation

Barnardos

Gregory Place

Manchester

M12 6ES

 

 

Role and Opportunity Details (To apply for this role you must be 18+)

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.
  • 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 are particularly seeking to increase the number of male volunteers we have.  Men, your support matters, you can be a positive role model and a strong source of connection, increasing sources of support socially and in the community, making a real difference to someone’s wellbeing.

PLEASE NOTE – You must be living in the UK to apply for this role.

 

Specific Skills Required

  • Reliable, punctual and trustworthy.
  • Approachable and welcoming.
  • The ability to communicate and engage with children, young people and
    families.
  • Being non-judgmental and positive in their attitude to working with
    individuals from different backgrounds.
  • Having some knowledge and understanding of supporting parents and
    carers, and the issues faced by disadvantaged families.

 

Benefits of Volunteering with this organisation

  • Full induction and training.
  • Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role.
  • Regular supervision and support.
  • Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance.
  • Access to the Barnardo’s internal vacancy listing.

Our volunteers tell us about lots of other benefits of volunteering including

  • Experience of working with children, young people and families.
  • Experience for your CV.
  • Supporting your local community.
  • Meeting new people.
  • Increasing self-confidence.
  • Feeling like you are making a difference.
  • improving your health and wellbeing.
  • A chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity.

 

Level of commitment required 

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity.

 

Date(s) / Time(s) Required

Monday AM/PM – Friday AM/PM

 

Volunteer Opportunity Number

VO10576 (please make a note of this ‘VO’ number if applying for this role).

Apply for this role