Purpose of role

Advonet hosts a vibrant Day Opportunities service for adults with learning disabilities, with a range of different activities across the week. They include cooking, arts and crafts, health and wellbeing and fun and games.

Volunteers are required to support paid staff members and service members.

Duties/activities

Volunteers are required to:  

  • Support members to make decisions on activities   
  • Support with general tasks   
  • Get to know the needs and issues of the group   
  • Help with tasks such as organising transport, facilitating small groups such as the Out and About Group and creating accessible information 
  • Encourage social interaction and participation in group sessions 
  • Assist individuals to plan and safely use public transport, including buses or trains 

Key skills/qualities a volunteer needs for this role

We host a range of different service activities and a volunteer with be matched to an activity that best suits their skillset.

Requirements of role (checks and training)

We will provide all necessary training and support for volunteers to carry out and develop in their role. We also know volunteers will bring experiences, skills and knowledge that we, individually and as a team, will be able to learn from. The induction and training will include:

  • Volunteer Induction Training (four hours)
  • Introduction to Advocacy Training
  • Safeguarding Adults and Children

For this role, we will offer training on:

  • Autism Awareness & Working with Autistic Adults (five hours)
  • Autism Mentoring Training (five hours)

All of the above is available on request if needed.

After training and induction, you will continue to receive ongoing support and guidance and regular supervisions.

Travel expenses are covered by the organisation. A lunch voucher is also provided when working in the office. If out at external venues, costs for food up to £5 will be reimbursed.

Time commitment required

The role is for 3-4 hours per week, for either a morning or afternoon session. Volunteers can be welcomed to multiple sessions.

All roles are based at the Advonet office in Leeds, but some will require travel across Leeds.

How to apply:

Interested people are invited to complete the Volunteering Enquiry Form, found by clicking on the button below. One of our friendly team will then be in contact with more information.

What happens next?

You will then be invited to an informal meeting where you will meet our Volunteer Coordinator and be issued with a Volunteering Application Pack. The informal meeting can be via phone call, Zoom/Teams or in-person.

Once we receive your completed Volunteer Application form, we will contact your specified Referees for a reference and conduct a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please Note – A DBS check is required for anyone working with vulnerable people – either paid or on a voluntary basis. We ask that you are open and honest with us from the very beginning and talk to us about any concerns you might have. Once these documents are completed, your induction training will begin.

Contact us:

Sarah Smith, Volunteer Coordinator – Learning Disability Services