The Council is on the look out for volunteers who could give up just a bit of their time to help children and young people get the most out of social clubs and groups they attend or after school clubs and play schemes.
The volunteers' job would be to work alongside the child to help them become included and engaged in whatever activity is going on, making sure their disability or special need isn't a barrier to them having fun or learning.
Spectrum is the Council's service which provides support, information and advice to enable children with autism to get involved in mainstream groups, clubs or activities. It is currently helping around 200 children take part in activities they otherwise might miss out on. It wants volunteers who can work alongside those children and provide them with support as they attend clubs and take part in activities.
Also wanting volunteers is the team that organises afterschool clubs and holiday play schemes for children and young people with a range of special needs. These take place at six of the county's special schools. Again the volunteer's role would be to help the individual concerned get the most out of the club or activity they are taking part in.
In each case the Council would offer full training and support to the volunteer who would also need to be CRB checked.
Councillor Meg Stroude, the County Council's Lead Member for Children and Families said: “Anyone who has ever volunteered knows how extremely rewarding it can be. That's especially true for those who do voluntary work with children.”
Cllr Stroude said the Council was looking for anyone who could offer some time, even if it was just an hour a week, to help a child in these circumstances. She said it might be someone who just wants to help a child or maybe someone interested in working with children or perhaps doing a social care qualification or training.
She added: “Basically we want to hear from anyone who thinks they might be able to help. Of course, it would be a great opportunity for some training and work experience for anyone who is looking for career in working with children.
“The volunteers will learn a lot from the experience but most of all they will get immense pleasure from knowing they are helping to make a real difference in a young person's life.”
Anyone who wants to find out more about either of these volunteering opportunities or wants to discuss whether they might be suitable to help should contact Peter Comper or James Gardiner at the Sorrel Drive Resource Centre on 01323 762024 or by email at: spectrum@eastsussex.gov.uk
Reference:
2914
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