We have a great team of Volunteers at BSVI who support us in our work with the visually impaired in Bournemouth.  Our members need the support of people who care and if you have some time available to help enhance the service we provide, please consider volunteering for us.

Volunteering can offer you not only the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to improve the quality of our members’ lives, but also the opportunity to meet new people and have some fun too.  We offer travel expenses and training where required.

Whether you are retired, a student, unemployed or in full time work and you are looking for something worthwhile to occupy a few hours a week, we may have something to suit you so do come and join our friendly team!

If you are interested in Volunteering for BSVI, please telephone 01202 546644 for an informal chat.  Current volunteering opportunities are detailed below:

Café Assistants: 2.5 hours am or pm, 1 day per week

• Making coffee or tea for the members and washing up afterwards
• Greeting and chatting to members
• Assisting members with activities, eg quiz, bingo
• Tidy up at the end of activity

Lunch Assistants: 11:30 – 13:30, 1 day per week

• Lay tables for lunch
• Serve members with lunch
• Clear tables afterwards

Administration Assistants: 4 hours am or pm, 1 day per week

Assistance with one or more of the following:

• Tape/CD duplication of bi-monthly Newsletter
• Mailing of Newsletter
• Photocopying and shredding
• Telephoning members with transport and lunch details
• Cash handling
• Document typing

Receptionist: 4 hours am or pm, 1 day per week

• Answer all incoming telephone calls and connect to appropriate staff member
• Greet personal callers and direct to appropriate staff member

Drivers: 2 hours am and 2 hours pm, 1 day per week

• Minibus drivers transporting members to and from the Centre. MIDAS training is required and will be provided where necessary
• Own 4-door car drivers to transport 2 or more members from home to the Centre and back home again

Escorts/Guides: 2 - 4 hours as required

• Assist members on outings by guiding or pushing wheelchairs where required
• Meeting members travelling independently at  a bus stop and escorting them to the centre
• Minibus escorts to assist members on and off the minibus

Sight & Hearing Centre Assistants: 2 hours am, 1 day per week

• Assisting general public with enquiries and demonstrating/selling equipment as appropriate
• Assist with stocktaking
• Package items for posting

Fundraising Assistants: 2 - 4 hours, as required

• Distribution and pick up of collection boxes (own car required)
• Store collections (usually at a weekend)

Training Room Assistants: 4 hours am or 4 hours pm, as required

• Greet visitors and direct to correct meeting room
• Ensure refreshment area is fully stocked with clean crockery, tea, coffee, milk, biscuits, water etc
• Wash up crockery when required
• Provide assistance to group, eg photocopying when required

Befriending: 2 hours per week

Visiting Members in their own homes providing company and assistance to those who may be isolated.  Ways in which befrienders can help can include:

• Chatting and providing companionship
• Reading mail, magazines, newspapers or other documents
• Writing letters, making phone calls
• Accompanying them on a walk
• Taking them shopping

Please note all Volunteers who work with Vulnerable Adults must have a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check carried out.  BSVI will make the necessary arrangements and this service will be free of charge.