Accountable to: 
The Leader of the holiday & the Birmingham PHAB Camps Committee
Function: To facilitate, with the leader and other volunteers, the smooth running of the holiday and to provide support for the young people on the holiday.
Birmingham PHAB Camps is a small, totally voluntary, organisation whose aim is to encourage the integration of disabled and non-disabled young people. The charity is managed by a small committee of volunteers, there are no paid members of staff.
We arrange holidays for groups of twenty or so young people, in various age groups, during school holidays. Half of the participants have disabilities and half are non-disabled. We also arrange holidays for groups with severe multiple disabilities and autism.
We try to provide a range of stimulating activities from canoeing and archery to raft building and ropes courses, along with visits to theme parks, farms and swimming.
The young people are given the opportunity to participate in new and challenging experiences and everyone can take part together, no matter what their ability. Many of the young people involved have no other opportunity of a holiday.
Role Outline: As a volunteer on a Birmingham PHAB Camps holiday you will work with other volunteers to provide appropriate personal care and support to the young people on the holiday, so that they may access the activities and events on an equal level with their peers. You will assist the Leader to ensure the safety of all of the young people at all times, and participate in the activities on the holiday to ensure their smooth running.
Main Activities:
• You will work with other volunteers to provide assistance to the young people on the holiday as required, including all personal care requirements. You will take into account their right to privacy and dignity at all times.
• You will supervise the young people at meal times and provide assistance as required.
• You will supervise the young people during activities, on and off site, to ensure their safety and their ability to access the activities on offer.
• You will work with the leader and other volunteers to organise and facilitate activities during the holiday.
• Be aware of and willing to accommodate the young people’s individual requirements.
Useful Skills/Attributes:
• Friendly and approachable with the ability to work individually and as part of a team.
• A good team player with effective communication skills.
• A reliable and responsible individual, with initiative and effective interpersonal skills.
• Have an interest in working with young people who have a variety of abilities and are sensitive and understanding of the differing needs of individuals.
• Have enthusiasm and imagination.
• A willingness to get involved with activities on the holiday and have fun.
Special Requirements:
• A willingness to work in an environment where some of the participants may have behavioural issues.
• An ability to adhere to safe working practices and procedures, including the safe lifting of young people as required.
• References and a Disclosure and Barring Service (formally CRB) check are required for all volunteer roles.
What you may gain from volunteering in this role:
• The satisfaction of helping to provide a holiday for disadvantaged and disabled young people.
• An understanding of disabilities and an insight into the problems faced by young people on a daily basis.
• Gain knowledge and experience of care giving.
• Development of organisational and communication skills.
• Opportunity for social interaction with others and meeting new people.
• The knowledge that your contribution will have a positive effect on the lives of young people.
Further Information:
It is expected that all volunteers:
• Undertake their volunteering in accordance with Birmingham PHAB Camps assertion that all our participants are children / young adults first and disabled second, and that they all be treated equally. This belief promotes respect between the young people on the holidays and recognises their skills and entitlement to choice and independence.
• Adhere to the Birmingham PHAB Camp’s Child Protection Policy Safe Guarding Procedures at all times.
• Attend any training required to support the health and safety of the holidays and the effective undertaking of their volunteering role.
FOR MORE INFO OR TO APPLY please contact:
Kirsty Hayward
Email: volunteer@bhamphabcamps.org.uk
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