Whatever
your age, or ability, get a sense of personal achievement
and satisfaction by becoming a PASTEL volunteer!
Do
you want to feel good about helping others, as well as meet
new people and make new friends, add to your social life,
learn new skills, create a useful addition to your CV and
have fun? Then why not ask about becoming a PASTEL volunteer,
whether on the management or operations side.
In
particular, we are interested in other young adults (14-25)
to act as volunteers and mentors. We provide induction, and
further training for those interested.
If
you're unemployed, volunteering with PASTEL could help you
into work by building your skills and confidence. It could
be the vital stepping stone you need to move into employment.
As a volunteer with PASTEL, you could even gain a national
Open College Network accreditation to add to your CV!In particular:
•• learn
new skills •• practise the skills you have ••
become more confident •• put some volunteering
experience on your CV •• pick up good ideas from
other people •• show employers you can keep regular
hours and handle commitment •• meet people who
can help you find paid work •• have things to
talk about in a job interview,and •• get references.
However,
we 're always interested to talk to anyone with experience
in project management, administrative work, finance, fundraising,
PR & media or teaching/training as well as general workshop
support activities and work with those with learning difficulties
and/or disabilities.
Our
current volunteers range in age from 14 to over 80 and their
support ranges from helping on the planning and management
side to helping in the training workshops.
Here is some
feedback from current volunteers in July, 2010:
reasons
for vounteering to join the PASTEL team:
- to complete service section of Duke of Edinburgh
award.
- looks good on CV.
- to get some experience prior to returning to
work following a stroke.
- to gain practical experience working with children
with learning disabilities
- help with degree
- to help people and gain skills and experience
things that
volunteers have personally learnt at PASTEL:
- not to "judge a book by its cover."
- autism comes in so many forms and strengths.
- that people with learning disabilities have
a lot to teach us.
- that working with people with learning disabilities
can be lots of fun.
- to listen to the contributions of others
- become more of a team player.
- patience.
- understanding how people with learning disabilities
are just like us - all have their own interests.
- I have grown in confidence.
- increased confidence and self-esteem.
- life lessons and communication skills.
things that
volunteers have learnt about the term "learning disabilities":
- that every case is different and how it could hinder
you.
- the range of disabilities covers highly inteeligant
as well as those lower down th learning spectrum.
- that it is just a label and that we should not discriminate
against someone just because they are labelled as having
"learning disabilities".
- that "learning disabilities" can easily
be overcome with the right supportive educational environment.
enjoyment
from volunteering at PASTEL:
- It's a great atmosphere!
- Its very relaxed whilst also maintaining discipline.
- There is a lot of laughter.
- I enjoy helping others.
- I lke to see PASTEL clients gain in confidence.
- doing something worthwhile and productive.
summing
up the volunteering experience at PASTEL
- Great
fun.
- Very inclusive.
- A wonderful opportunity to learn - to be responsible
and to make new friends.
- A life-changing experience.that helps you make
good friends with people with learning dsabilities - something
you can hold on to in later life.
- Very enjoyable - would highly recommend.
- Thank you very much for letting me join, and
stay on, to keep working with these amazing people.
- Very enjoyable.
- I reckon that
PASTEL rewards me more than I actually put into it.
- There should be more placeslike this.
And,
to find ut what PASTEL clients and their Parent / Carers have
to say, please click here.
Please use the contact
page to make your initial enquiry. |