BSVI Volunteers

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 BSVI 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, unemployed or in part time work and you are looking for something worthwhile to occupy a few hours every week, BSVI may have something to suit you so do come and join our friendly team!

If you are interested in Volunteering for BSVI, please telephone for an informal chat. 

Centre Services Volunteers - Contact Marion Vincent on 01202 54664

Current volunteering opportunities are detailed below:

Greeter: 2.5 hours am or pm, Monday ,Thursday

• Welcome members on arrival
• Introduce new members to the Centre and to other members
• Chat to members
• Assist members with the activity eg quiz, bingo etc

Café and Activity Assistants: 2.5 hours am or pm, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday

• Make coffee or tea for the members and wash up afterwards
• Chat to members
• Assist members with activities, eg quiz, bingo
• Tidy up at the end of activity

Lunch Assistants: 11:30 – 13:30, Monday, Thursday

• Lay tables for lunch
• Serve members with lunch
• Clear tables
• Wash up afterwards
• Put cutlery and crockery away

Minibus Drivers: 2 – 4 hours am and 3 hours pm, as required

• Transport members from home to the Centre.
• Transport members from the Centre back home
• Transport members on outings as required
• MIDAS training is required and will be provided where necessary

Own Car Drivers: 2 hours am and 2 hours pm, as required

• Transport 2 or more members from home to the Centre
• Transport 2 or more members from the Centre back home
• Drivers must own 4-door vehicle with fully comprehensive insurance, road tax and an MOT if required

Minibus Escorts/Guides: 2 - 4 hours as required

• Minibus escorts to assist members on and off the minibus
• Assist members on outings by guiding or pushing wheelchairs where required

Fundraising Assistants: 2 - 4 hours, as required

• Distribution and pick up of collection boxes (own car required)
• Store collections (usually at a weekend)
• To assist at other BSVI fundraising events, eg Christmas Fayre, Summer Fun days, as required

Community Services Volunteers - contact Philip Tarrant on 01202 522184

Current volunteering opportunities are detailed below:

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 could 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

Resource Centre Assistant: 3 hours per week, Monday to Thursday mornings

• Provide advice and guidance on available equipment for visual or hearing impaired people
• Demonstrate equipment
• Sell or loan equipment
• Handle cash transactions
• Deal with Suppliers

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.

For further information, do please contact us.

Bournemouth Society for the Visually Impaired 5 Victoria Park Road  Bournemouth  BH9 2RB Tel: 01202 546644/522184   Fax: 01202 519006 Charity No: 1114570    Company No: 5792657