July 2016 - DSN Home: Deafness Support Network 2016 Deafness Support Network is Registered in England & Wales as a registered charity No.506791 and a company limited by guarantee No

July 2016

Deafness Support Network is Registered in England & Wales as a registered charity No.506791 and a company limited by guarantee No. 1323762 Registered Office Address 144 London Road, Northwich CW9 5HH

Cafe FriendsDSN is looking for volunteers for a new exciting project which started April 2016. We have opened a sensory dementia cafe in Northwich which will run on the fourth Tuesday of every month.

Why DSN need you

We need your help with this unique opportunity for people with memory problems or dementia, with or without sensory loss and their carers to socialise in a friendly, safe and informal environment.

Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities

There will be a range of activities available each session such as arts and crafts, games, reminiscence therapy and many more.

We are looking for volunteers to join our group and be a friendly face as people arrive and someone to talk to throughout the session

We would hope the volunteers could provide support to staff and carersencouraging the service users to participate in the different activities.

We would also like the volunteers to help make and serve tea, coffee and snacks to the group and help with setting up and tidying away at the end of the group.

Person Specification

No specific qualifications or experience are required but the role would particularly suit someone who enjoys working with people and is patient, caring and reliable.

Some knowledge of hearing loss and/or dementia and how it affects people would be an advantage but is not essential as training will be provided.

Please register with us if you are interested in this opportunity…further details will be available shortly.

Front of House/AdministrationDSN are looking for volunteers to join our friendly Front of House team. If you are interested in

supporting DSN through offering administration services, and would like to get experience volunteering in an exciting busy working environment, this could be the opportunity for you!

Why DSN need you.

As a FoH volunteer you are the eyes and ears of DSN, you will be placed on the reception desk and will be a friendly face to all who come to the office. You will have the responsibility to make sure clients/visitors feel happy with the service, and direct any enquiries to the relevant person/department.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities

Asking visitors to sign in the Visitors’ book when they enter the building

Deal with telephone enquiries in a friendly and polite way

Ensure the Front of House area, including the reception desk and floor are kept clean and tidy

Raise any stock taking issues with the Management Support Officer

Keep the notice boards up to date and free from clutter.

Post notices onto boards informing clients of changes / additions to the day’s schedule.Communicating with internal/external clients on the phone/text phone via email and face-to-face

Person specification

Experience of Customer Service

Confident with dealing with visitors face-to-face

Knowledge about Deafness Support Network and the services we offer – training will be given.

Written and oral communication skills

Ability to work on own initiative

Able to communicate in a professional way

DSN will offer FOH training to an outstanding standard. The Management Support Officer will be there to guide and support you through the day-to-day activities and task. This is an

interesting and rewarding role, where no 2 days are ever the same.

Fundraising GroupsDSN are looking to start new volunteer led fundraising groups in Northwich, Chester,

& Macclesfield. Meetings will be held monthly where new ideas will be discussed within the group and plans set in place to organise fundraising events. No experience is necessary just plenty of enthusiasm!

Why DSN need you.

We need you to help the DSN fundraising team in promoting and taking part in a variety of activities to raise funds and awareness of DSN.


Work alongside the fundraising team and your fellow volunteers

Plan and deliver local events and activities to raise funds and awareness

Publicise your local fundraising events and activities as required

Support with local collections and larger events such as Deaf Awareness Week

Attend the Fundraising Support Group meetings

Keep up to date with the work of DSN and represent the charity in a professional manner

Pro actively seek new opportunities to raise awareness and funds for DSN

Thank supporters


Be Passionate and enthusiastic

Be trustworthy and reliable

Have excellent communication and team working skills

Desire to find out more about the work of DSN

Flexibility and the willingness to volunteer both for the planning of, and delivery of fundraising events and activities

DSN will give all necessary support and training, the volunteer team and the Community Fundraising Leader will be on hand when and wherever support is

needed.

Community Event Volunteers

We are seeking enthusiastic and committed individuals to take part in fundraising events for DSN.

Why DSN need you.

We support a large number of people and families throughout Cheshire, and would love to increase our awareness within different areas with your help. DSN fundraising groups will hopefully inspire other volunteers to organise and host their own fundraising events, and engage local supporters in raising vital funds for Deafness Support Network.


Take part in DSN bag packs, bucket collections and community events

Represent DSN at local events

Hold DSN stalls at local fairs/awareness days/open days – we do not have merchandise to sell however you can use your own ideas in coming up with raffles/tombolas etc.

Help to promote local fundraising activity and campaigning in your area.


Good listening and communication skills

Excellent interpersonal skills for building relationships with supporters

Enthusiasm about DSN

An interest in event management and volunteer-led fundraising

Dependable

DSN will provide all necessary support and training, the volunteer team will be on hand when and wherever support is needed.

Lottery & PromotionsWe are looking for someone special to join our team! Face-to-face fundraising is one

of the most successful ways in which DSN can find new donors to support our services. This type of fundraising entails asking people to make a regular donation to charity through our new DSN Lottery. You will be asked to sell memberships at DSN events.

Why DSN need you

DSN need you to help inspire people to support our charity, we need face-to-face fundraisers, to represent, and be the face of DSN in the public domain and help to engage with people in a variety of locations.


Work alongside the fundraising team and your fellow volunteers

Selling DSN lottery memberships to members of the public

Promoting DSN at events/awareness days

Encouraging people to sign up there and then

Supporting other volunteers and encouraging others to join as a ‘’Face-to-Face Fundraiser’’

Speaking to as many people as possible, while trying to secure valuable funds


Good Communication Skills

Working as part of a team

Hard working – Success doesn't happen without it

Determined

Approachable

Enthusiastic – Its infectious and we want it in our team!

DSN will give fantastic training, support and coaching. The fundraising manager will be there to bring out the best in you! DSN will make sure that all right materials:

DSN Lottery tickets/banners etc will be supplied and all current information will be passed on regularly.

You will gain a number of skills through volunteering for this role, this opportunity will develop key skills such as confidence and persuasion techniques. And it looks

fantastic on your CV!

I’m Hear Project I'm Hear! is a project funded by Children in Need. As part of the support, the project encourages

D/deaf children to take part in local activities of their choice, which can be groups - for example, Brownies or Scouts.

Why DSN need you.

To make sure that group leaders and other children can communicate with a D/deaf child in the group, we need Volunteers to provide a basic deaf awareness sessions to groups as well as practical sessions on communication. We envisage one or two sessions per group.


Providing basic Deaf Awareness sessions to groups

Tailoring communication to meet the needs of D/deaf children – this could include the use of gesture, clear speech, getting the child’s attention etc

Providing session to Deaf children who use BSL/Sign using some basic signs

Working along side DSN project workers


Good Communication Skills and Deaf Awareness

Understanding of the needs of the families we support

BSL Level 1 Minimum


Flexible and approachable with a positive attitude

Compassionate

Our Project workers will give the relevant information and training to Volunteers.

We support D/deaf children in Cheshire East/Cheshire West/Halton/Warrington.

All Deaf Awareness materials will be provided.

Deaf Awareness GroupDSN are looking to recruit new volunteers to be part of our Deaf Awareness Group – we would

like a bank of fully trained Deaf Awareness volunteers to provide Deaf Awareness sessions across Cheshire and the surrounding areas on behalf of DSN.

Why DSN need you

Around one in 6 people in the UK have some kind of hearing loss but because deafness is an invisible disability, it is still widely misunderstood. We need volunteers to provide basic Deaf Awareness sessions to help break down the barriers that hinder communication between deaf and hearing people.


Volunteering along side other volunteers who may have or may not have Deaf Awareness experience.

Attending a number of Deaf Awareness Sessions yourself – in order to be fully trained.

Presenting Deaf Awareness sessions to the community – local organisations/other charities/schools etc. Training sessions will be tailored to the individual needs of the organisation but will generally consist of the following: Deafness; the various forms / Causes of deafness & the number of people affected / BSL (British Sign language) / Terminology / How deafness affects communication / Common myths about Deafness / Hearing aids and equipment

Organising Deaf Awareness workshops


Good Communication Skills

Working as part of a team

Knowledge about Deafness Support Network and the services we offer – training will be given

Enthusiasm about DSN

Willingness to work without direct supervision

DSN will provide full Deaf Awareness training sessions, covering all aspect of deafness. A presentation and information booklet will be provided and a Deaf Awareness pack will be available to support your sessions/workshops.

Positive Hearing is a registered social enterprise and is sister company to DSN. It provides the latest in technology products and systems to the D/deaf Community. It promote and sells quality, state of the art equipment and will demonstrate and provide a follow up service for customers where necessary.

Why Positive Hearing Needs You

We are looking to bolster our volunteers to help with the provision of the latest and greatest of equipment for the deaf and hard of hearing community. This where you come in.

Volunteer Tasks and Responsibilities

Equipment Experts, learn about the equipment, how it works, what goes well with other equipment, assessing needs of customers and recommending equipment for situations.

Loop System Installers, learn how to install loop systems into homes and public places. This is perfect for someone who is an ex electrician or tradesman or perhaps someone who wants to start in the trade.

Graphic Designers, we also have opportunities for people with design skills, whether this be infographics, posters, or web images.

Web Developers to be able to work on our ecommerce site, help with SEO and reaching others via social media.


Be passionate and enthusiastic

Good communication skills and willingness to learn


Workshop Volunteer

HAnD (Health Awareness AnD D/deafness) is a project that delivers accessible Health Information Workshops to D/deaf people residing in Cheshire West & Chester district. The workshops provide D/deaf people with full access to key health information, an opportunity to ask questions directly to Health professionals in a ‘safe’ environment, the tools to live a healthier lifestyle, the opportunity to become involved in any local Health campaigns and an equality of access to Health information.

Why DSN needs you. To support the planning, delivery and evaluation of each workshop.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities To ensure workshop registration sheet is completed by all attendees Support with communication if required Prepare the room for the workshop Prepare tea, coffee, refreshments’ for attendees & workshop presenter Working along side DSN project worker/s

Person Specification Good Communication Skills BSL Level 1 Minimum Able to communicate in a professional way Flexible and approachable with a positive attitude Compassionate Our Project workers will give the relevant information and training to Volunteers.

Activities Worker

DSN are looking for Volunteers to join our Day Services in Northwich. The service operates Tuesday to Friday 10 am to 4 pm

Why DSN need you.

We need you to work alongside our Day Service Team to enhance the 1:1 support or Group activities we offer to our Service Users.


Work with the Team to provide support to our service users following a person centered approach.Devise activitiesBring your personal skills and abilities to enhance the development for our Service Users


Patient, caring and enthusiastic Good CommunicatorWork as part of a teamWilling to learn basic BSL – Training will be givenEnjoy Art, crafts and be creative

Support Workers

DSN are looking for Volunteers to work with us in our Supported Living Services based in Northwich.

Why DSN needs you

We have a number of homes providing 24 hour care and support to Deaf and Deaf Blind Tenants with Learning Disabilities.

Our philosophy is to provide services which are tailor made to meet the individual needs of each person and wherever possible enabling each and every one of them to reach their full potential.

Volunteer Tasks and responsibilities

Support Tenants to take part in activities both inside and outside of their home,


Good Communication

Patient, caring and enthusiastic

Understanding of Learning Disabilities (training will be given)

Ability to communicate in basic BSL (training will be given)

Knowledge about Deafness

Befriender DSN now have a befriending scheme targeting older D/deaf people and hard of hearing people

living in Cheshire West & Cheshire. The scheme is funded by Cheshire West and Chester’s council promoting Equality & Diversity fund.

Why DSN need you

Be part of an individually tailored befriending service, helping, supporting and encouraging participants to become more active in community life, whilst also improving communication between family & friends.


You will be matched to clients who have become socially isolated by their hearing loss

Listening and chatting

Working in partnership with DSN’s Technical support team

To support social groups that are regularly attended by D/deaf and Hard of hearing people living in CWaC

Undertaking essential training

Helping clients to join new social/community groups

Maintaining boundaries


Patience and tact

A caring, sympathetic sensitive way and non-judgemental approach

Compassionate and respectable

Knowledge and understanding of D/deaf issues

Reliable and flexible

Willingness to help raise self-esteem and confidence through a positive befriending relationship

We will make sure you are matched with the right person and the Befriending Manager will give you all the training and support you will need every step of the way.

Let’s Loop Cheshire! Since 2014 DSN has worked with the local councils and a number of key partners in and

around Chester, the initiative was aimed at turning Chester into one of the best looped City’s in the UK. With a team of loop checkers – an army of secret shoppers of sorts DSN has been monitoring how good loops are, and then encouraging changes to be made when issues arise.

Why DSN need you

DSN need your support in making this project even more of an success, ensuring many more shops and public buildings have good quality loop systems, as well as creating a climate of acceptance.


DSN Volunteers will be asked to both raise the profile of loop systems in the public places, and improve their effectiveness.

Volunteers, who have hearing aids or cochlear implants with ‘T’ settings, are being sought to carry out checks in their local area (in theatres, shops, offices, banks etc)

Volunteer ‘checkers’ are asked to fill in an Evaluation Form for each local venue they visit. They can check any number of venues. Venues can include shops, church halls, theatres, hospitals. (The Evaluation Form is easy to complete and doesn’t take long).


Volunteer must wear a Hearing aid or have a Cochlear implant.

Compassionate and respectable

Knowledge and understanding of D/deaf issues

Reliable and flexible

Professional

The hope is that people will share positive experiences to motivate others to undertake loop checks of their own, and use their results to encourage retailers and providers of public services, to improve accessibility for people who are hard of hearing.

Deafness Support Network are working in partnership with

Volunteers will benefit from the experience of working with people with a hearing loss, this will enhance your own skills providing BSL/Deaf Awareness/Deafblind & Lip-reading opportunities in relation to future career development, or for your own personal development.

Full support and training will be given

Wonderful and unique work experience

Opportunity to develop new skills and interests

Chance to meet new people

Opportunity to contribute to and be part of an outstanding and live changing organisation

Be part of an organisation who thrive to help people

All our volunteer opportunities are unique and require different skills and abilities, by volunteering for DSN you can be sure that you will push yourself to the best of your ability, with the support from a warm and friendly team. What ever it is that you would like to gain through volunteering – you will definitely find it here at Deafness Support Network.

We encourage volunteers to stay for at least a minimum period of 6 months (or the full duration of the chosen opportunity) to make sure full use, of any training and support offered.

Cheshire Deaf Society Registered Charity No. 506791

For further details on any of these opportunities, please phone 0333 220 5050 and speak to your Volunteer team or email [email protected]

Northwich HQ & Registered Office144 London Road

NorthwichCW9 5HH

Chester OfficeChester Deaf Centre

South View RdChesterCH1 4JG

Macclesfield Office27 Bridge Street

MacclesfieldSK11 6EG

Documents

July 2016 - DSN Home: Deafness Support Network 2016 Deafness Support Network is Registered in England & Wales as a registered charity No.506791 and a company limited by guarantee No