SIGHT ACTION, VOLUNTEER ROLE DESCRIPTION - CAR DRIVER

This post is subject to an enhanced disclosure under the Police Act 1997 (Part V)

Overview of the Role

The role is to provide a service to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.  As a volunteer you could be asked to take someone to a hospital appointment, to the station or collect someone from the airport.  The service is to ensure that clients can be helped to access appointments etc and not become too isolated.

Training and Support

Induction training is provided to all new volunteers before they start with Sight Action.  Training includes:

An overview of the organisation

Visual Impairment awareness training

Sighted guiding

Sight Action’s Volunteer’s Handbook

Volunteers will be supported by the Volunteer Co-ordinator at regular one-to-one monthly meetings.  In addition, meetings for all volunteers will be held on a quarterly basis.  It is important that volunteers attend training and support meetings.

Responsibilities

To be familiar with Sight Action’s policies and procedures

To take part in regular support meetings, feeding back any issues or concerns that you may have, both with your volunteering or personally

To be involved in evaluating the service

To inform the Volunteer Co-ordinator/member of Sight Action staff if you are unable to assist in your designated volunteering role

To adhere to the Volunteer Code of Conduct

Skills and Qualities

All potential drivers will require to have a clean and current licence and have been driving for a minimum of 3 years.

No formal qualifications required for this volunteering role but interest in people, skills in listening and the ability to communicate with a wide range of people are essential.

The role also requires reliability, honesty and trust-worthiness.

References

All volunteers will be required to provide the contact details of two referees who can be contacted to provide an account of character, skills and qualities.

Referees cannot be a family member and will need to have known the potential volunteer for a minimum of a year.

Volunteers will need to complete an enhanced disclosure for the Central Registered Body in Scotland and Disclosure Scotland.

Volunteers will not be able to volunteer without the disclosure in place.

Time Commitment:  There will be times when you are asked to drive two or three times in a month and sometimes it will be bi-monthly.

Location:  Inverness, Nairn and surrounding areas

Insurance and Expenses

While volunteers are insured and travel expenses reimbursed

Other reasonable out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed only if previously agreed with the Volunteer Co-ordinator

Reporting to

Volunteers report to and are accountable to the Volunteer Co-ordinator.