Volunteering is a vibrant part of Orkney’s community. Many people successfully volunteer independently, while others can find themselves held back by various life circumstances.
The purpose of the Supported Volunteering service at VAO is to break down these barriers to volunteering and ensure that people in Orkney have the support needed to contribute to their communities through volunteering and to reap all the benefits that it offers.
Becoming a mentor means that you could be the key that opens that possibility for others. With just a couple of hours each week or fortnight you could empower and enable a supported volunteer to make a valued contribution to their community and help them feel all the satisfaction that comes with making a difference.
What could a volunteer gain from the experience?
Supporting someone to volunteer is an important and valuable role. As a mentor you will have the opportunity to make a real and lasting difference to someone's life - helping them to grow in confidence and to build new skills and to take positive action in their lives.
Experience required
Each supported volunteer will require support tailored to their specific needs and goals, which means that the role of volunteer mentor will be varied and flexible depending on who a mentor supports.
We are looking for mentors who are friendly and approachable, reliable and dependable, enjoy spending time with others, and are able to see the potential in people.
Travel details
Volunteering takes place all over Orkney, so the placement would be wherever the volunteer requiring support has a placement.
Travel expenses
All appropriate expenses will be reimbursed (i.e. mileage to and from placement)
Training details
Mentors will receive initial training delivered by the service coordinators (including the role of mentoring, confidentiality, adult protection, safeguarding and disability awareness), and will then receive additional training and support wherever needed for their role.
Restrictions
Minimum age: 18
