Wanted! Volunteer Activity Buddies
- Do you enjoy keeping fit or being involved in sport?
- Are you keen to do something really rewarding, while having fun?
- Have you got what it takes to motivate a disabled person within sport and physical activity?
If you answered yes to the above then read on!
Leisure Services is launching a voluntary ‘Activity Buddy’ Scheme. This scheme provides a way of engaging volunteers in supporting and motivating disabled people to participate in sport and physical activity.
We need volunteer ‘Activity Buddies’ to accompany disabled people on a regular basis to increase their participation in sport and physical activity. This will encourage them to achieve their fitness goals and overcome many psychological and emotional barriers to participation.
It is intended that Buddies will be an integral part of the service provision for disabled people within sport and physical activity and that they will receive support and recognition throughout the process.
Main Aim:
The Activity Buddy will play a crucial role in providing additional support and encouragement to disabled members.
The Buddy’s Role is to:
- make a commitment to accompany and support a disabled person(s)
- needs to enable them to participate in sport and physical activity
- motivate, encourage, mentor and befriend a disabled person when participating in sport and physical activity
- help breakdown barriers to participation faced by disabled people in sport and physical activity i.e. access, communication, social and psychological.
Buddy’s will not be expected to:
- lift and carry or transfer disabled users
- provide transport or assist disabled users to change or provide personal care
- prescribe exercise or coach (unless qualified)
- assist with or administer medication
Person Specification and Skills Required:
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Patient, friendly, approachable and a good listener
- Confident and diplomatic
- Enthusiastic, reliable and motivational
- An interest in sport, health & fitness
- Over 16 years of age
- Committed to equal opportunities
- Open-minded and proactive in their assistance
Activity Buddies do not require any specific skills or qualifications. The only potential pre-requisites would be an interest in exercise and a friendly, approachable nature. All Activity Buddies will be fully trained and will receive ongoing support from members of Leisure Services to help them in their role.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer Activity Buddy and would like to have an informal chat about what it involves, please email Ben Humphrey or call him on 01793 511033.
You have the ability to change someone's life. Please help us.