Hugs Foundation Wellbeing Support Volunteer for SEND children activities

Our wellbeing support volunteers form an important part of our team here at The Hugs Foundation.  On a weekly basis we offer a supported volunteering session to SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) children and are looking for a volunteer to support our wellbeing team with delivery, providing engaging and educational sessions to our services users. These sessions can be 1:1, or can be groups normally up to 10 in number and are accompanied by Teaching Assistants as appropriate. The sessions are led by our Wellbeing managers. 

This volunteer role may suit someone with previous experience of young people/children with SEND support needs, either from your career or from your personal circumstances. It may also suit someone who is seeking a placement to support specialist education in this field. This volunteering opportunity will be subject to an Enhanced DBS with barred check list for children which The Hugs Foundation will arrange.

Examples of the types of activities which this volunteer might do:

• Someone who enjoys being outdoors & is happy to volunteer in all weather conditions
• A person who can volunteer confidently, be equally happy volunteering alongside other similar volunteers and always with the relevant staff team, TA's PA present.
• Gardening (including sensory garden and fruit/vegetable garden) experience would be a bonus but not essential. (See our other vacancies at Hugs for specific roles to help in our growing spaces)
• A person who enjoys being in the presence of a range of animals, including ponies.
• Someone who is happy to learn and complete a certain level of role appropriate training.
• Someone with existing Safeguarding knowledge and ideally having completed a level of Safeguarding training.
• Someone with a basic understanding of the needs of young people with SEND and the potential challenges, you may have some career or family experience or knowledge to bring.
• Someone able to engage with teenage service users and promote/demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours.
• Physically able to join in activities, this may include obstacle races!
• Good communication and observational skills.
• Keep self and all service users safe.
• Someone who can set healthy boundaries while staying calm and understanding – able to support young people without taking things personally or getting easily offended
• Someone who shares our values of kindness, dignity and respect. 

Availability – Regular commitment - Every other Tuesday, term time, to align with school curriculum and fortnightly patterns. 

Timings – 9.30am to 2.30pm