Safe and Fair Volunteering

As volunteer with seescape you are likely to meet our clients which is why we ask most volunteers to apply to the Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) in Scotland. If you don’t already have a PVG we can apply for free on your behalf, or if you have one already, we can link it to us. You can download some more information about this here:

Information about PVG for Volunteers:

In addition, we will also ask around the time of your application to complete an image permission form (to ask permission for us to take your photograph, you can decline if you prefer not too).

Image permission form:

We also issue volunteers with an up-to-date volunteer ID badge so others know you are a seescape volunteer whilst carrying out volunteering duties with seescape. If you haven’t already been issued with one or have one which is expired please contact us on the details above to request a new one.

Reimbursement:

Like all volunteers, you are entitled to claim for reasonable travel expenses (on confirmation of relevant up to date insurance, MOT and car tax).  We ask that volunteers submit these monthly before the 20th of the month for processing (alternative arrangments can be requested if required).  Please email to: kirstie.henderson@seescape.org.uk Below are the documents required including mileage claim form.  Here you can download documents in relation to this including:

Mileage claim form:

Bank details form (so we can pay you expenses):

Volunteer Travel and Subsistence Policy:

Health and Safety:

We take the health and safety of our volunteers very seriously at seescape, here you can find a range of policies in connection with this. If you are uncertain or unsure about volunteering responsibilities or duties, you must speak to the Community Engagement Coordinator at seescape at the earliest opportunity so we can aim to help resolve or deal with the matter.

We also recognise that there is an element of risk in everything we do. Volunteers are not expected to conduct risk assessments for every activity they may be involved in, this seescape’s responsibility, but we do encourage all volunteers report any incidents, difficulties or health and safety issues, as soon as possible particular when it involves a seescape client/s (i.e. not to wait until the next working day) by calling our mainline on 01592 644 979. Below are some documents for guidance and advice.

Premises and Risk Assessment Guidance:

Volunteer Risk Assessment Template:

Example Risk Assessment for Group Activity:

Safeguarding:

On keeping yourself and others safe whilst volunteering you may find it helpful to read over the Adult and Child Protection Policy for Volunteers and the Lone Volunteering Policy.

Volunteer Adult & Child Protection Policy

Lone Volunteering Policy:

If you require any advice, support or information in relation to safeguarding, looking after yourself and others, whilst volunteering please speak to the Community Engagement Coordintaor as soon as possible on 01592 649 883. You might also find useful documents in the Training and Ongoing Support section of this site in the menu above.

You can also request in full seescape’s Adult Protection Policy as well as any other relevant documents such as Public Liability Insurance, etc.

Training and Ongoing Support

Whilst volunteering with seescape you will have the opportunity to learn new skills and gain experience. As part of your training, you will receive an induction to seescape which will cover all the aspects of your role.

However, we also recognise you may require new or refresher training, in relation to your rour role and responsibilities.  You can discuss this at any stage of your volunteering, by contacting the Community Engagement Coordintaor on 01592 649 883 or email: kirstie.henderson@seescape.org.uk.

Being a Befriender:

Our training for befrienders is now available in three parts, for trainees to download online and do at their own pace in their own time. Here you can read an outline of what is involved:

Introduction to Training & Checklist

If you require access to this including any of the supporting materials, please contact Community Engagement Coordinator on 01592 649 882 or email: kirstie.henderson@seescape.org.uk

We provide other training opportunities throughout the year including internal and external courses. Here is a short list:

Internal:

• Visual Awareness
• Sighted Assistance
• Making a Positive Difference as a Volunteer
• Communication skills

Ad-hoc training – if you want to learn a specific skill or have identified a particular training need as part of your volunteering with seescape please get in touch with seescape’s Community Engagement Coordinator on 01592 644 979

External:

From time to time, we invite external training providers in to deliver sessions in relation to a particular area, where there is an unmet need. Some examples of courses which have been provided in the past include:

• Adult Protection Awareness course (TURAS online account required – get in touch with seescape for more details.)
• Deafblind Awareness (Deafblind Scotland) https://dbscotland.org.uk/what-we-do/services/training-and-learning/training-courses/
• Risk Assessments (Fife Council) – get in touch with seescape for more details.
• Guide Dog training on guiding techniques for friends and family: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/getting-support/help-for-adults/my-sighted-guide/friends-and-family-sighted-guiding-training/

Support:

We ask all volunteers to take an active role in keeping connected with seescape, by sharing activities which are being planned or taking place on an ongoing basis and following up where necessary i.e., if a seescape client requires some input from our services.

This is even more important for Volunteer Befrienders’ as the role entails, unsupervised contact on a one to one basis with seescape clients. We ask volunteers to take part in support sessions on a one-to-one basis and review all befriending partnerships regularly, but we also rely on volunteers letting us know what is taking place and when. We have a duty of care to you as volunteers, but also to our clients and if there are any concerns about this you must inform seescape as soon as possible.

This also includes asking for help, information, advice or seeking support when needed and letting us know if you must cancel a visit/activity or are unable to continue volunteering.

Further information about this can be read in the following documents:

Support and Staying Connected is about how we support volunteers in all roles with the Community Engagement Service:

Managing endings: how seescape plan and manage endings, with some sections specific to those who are Volunteer Befrienders.

We also ask volunteers to complete reviews as part of formal process for checking out how befriending is going 3 and 6 monthly reviews but also at the end of your volunteering journey. This is a generic template for this purpose which you will be sent in advance if asked to respond:

Volunteer Review Template:

Read onto the next section within the Menu called News and Updates (see menu at top left)

News and Updates

Instructions for volunteers and farewell

27th of May 2022

If you need to get in touch regarding general volunteering enquiries please call main office on 01592 644979 or email: info@seescape.org.uk. 

For expenses please send to Gemma Dickson for authorising on a monthly basis to gemma.dickson@seescape.org.uk (Mileage Claim form can be downloaded here).

For any concerns about the welfare, safety or health of a client/s contact Evelyn Hickman, the Team Leader of the Sight Support Team on 01592 644979 or direct dial: 01592 649 882  

For more complex volunteering related enquiries please contact Lesley Carcary on 01592 644 979 or email: lesley.carcary@seescape.org.uk

For groups including cancelations/queries/recording attendance please contact seescape mainline: 01592 644 979 and email attendance to: admin@seescape.org.uk and gemma.dickson@seescape.org.uk

Finally, can all visiting befrienders please contact seescape on 01592 644 979 before and after their befriending visit to let us know that you have arrived and finished safety.  This is a change from existing procedures which is being implemented whilst the post of Community Engagement Team Leader/Coordinator remains vacant to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our volunteers who are lone volunteering.

Thank you.

Messasge from Kirstie Henderson:

After 2 and a half years of working as seescape’s Community Engagement Coorinator, I’m afraid to say it’s farewell from me.  I’ve had an amazing journey working with the seescape team, including all the amazing volunteers.  Whilst a pandemic wasn’t on the horizon when I first started in December 2019, I’ve been humbled and amazed all your acts of kindness, dedication and compassion, which take place week in week out since I began, supporting seescape clients.  I honestly can’t have hoped to have worked with a better team of volunteers.  Fife really does produce the kindest of folks!  I’m sure all the volunteering activities will go from strength to strength with seescape, with renewed vision and focus.  I wish every single one of you all the best with everything.  Meantime whilst there will be a gap please read instructions above on who to contact should you need to speak to anyone at seescape on any aspect of your volunteering.

Volunteer Week 2022

Make sure you check out seescape’s Facebook page the week of 1-7 June 2022 for updates for volunteers week.  Thank you to all our wonderful seescape volunteers, who provide eseential support and kindness to seescape clients, week in week out and all throughout the year! 

Community Activity Coordinator update

Wendy Leary, Community Activities Coordinator has been wroking with seescape clients over the last 9 months   to support a small group of clients to become more active in their everyday life, building confidence by regaining flexibility, mobility and strength via gentle exercise and other activities. There are now videos and audio exercises which can now be accessed by clients of this valuable service. Please get in touch if you want to refer someone or have any questions. Wendy works Monday-Thursday 10am-2pm, call 01592 644 979 or email: wendy.leary@seescape.org.uk

Volunteer Newsletters:

Below are some previous editions of the Volunteering Newsletter

Volunteers Newsletter November 2021:

Volunteers Newsletter Spring 2021:

Events:

Befriending Week:
From 1-7 of November every year Befriending Week takes place to value and recognise the unique contribution of befrienders across the UK. Here you can find out more about Befriending Week which is run by UK umbrella organisation Befriending Networks: https://www.befriending.co.uk/resources/befriending-week

Volunteering Week:
From 1-7 June every year, Volunteering Week celebrates the achievements and contributions volunteers make to the lives of others. In seescape we also recognise the vital role volunteers play in helping seescape support clients all over Fife, week in week out. You can find out more about Volunteering Week here: Volunteers’ Week Scot

Case studies:

Here you can read some case studies of how our volunteers make a difference to seescape client’s lives. In some instances, the name of the volunteer and/or client has been changed to protect the identity of the people involved.

Do you have a story to share with your fellow volunteers? Please get in touch with Kirstie on 01592 649 883 or email: kirstie.henderson@seescape.org.uk

Glenrothes Group Case Study

The chance to speak to likeminded people and be with the group once a week gives me a sense of belonging.

Read in full below:

Keith Case Study – being a Volunteer Befriender:

It only takes a small amount of your time, to make a big difference’

Read in full below:

Helen’s Story – Telephone Befriending Service:

I look forward to our conversations each week, it’s a time for me to get a coffee and sit and have a good blether on the phone.

Read in full below: