Carers Groups Co-facilitator – Volunteer
Within a group setting carers are enabled to share their about their caring role to reduce stress and feelings of loneliness and isolation. This is achieved by actively listening, providing relevant information, responding to issues and concerns raised by the carer. Practical tasks may be required at some groups: i.e. setting up of the room and tea & coffee making duties.
As a volunteer, you will feed back to the Wellbeing Worker for further action to be taken on a 1:1 basis, or by signposting the carer to call our Carer Response Line. You will also be responsible for alerting the Wellbeing Worker to any Safeguarding related concerns or disclosures.
The Difference You Will Make
You will be helping us to change the lives of carers by making sure they are heard and supported when they most need it and are looking for help. You will be making a difference by helping to facilitate the carer support groups alongside the Carer Wellbeing Worker ensuring that carers feel supported, listened to and heard.
Role Expectations
The co-facilitator will join and support the facilitation of the group alongside the Facilitator and a Social Prescriber from the Going Local Team. Going Local Info
The co-facilitator will help to encourage carers to share their emotions with their peers to reduce stress and feelings of loneliness and isolation. The co-facilitator will achieve this by actively listening and responding to issues and concerns raised by the carer if able to do so. They will feedback to the facilitator after the group any concerns for the carer or further action that can be taken up on a 1:1 basis.
The co-facilitator would also be responsible for alerting the facilitator to any safeguarding related concerns or disclosures at the post group debrief.
Other activities will include:
Engage in pre- and post-meeting briefings with the Group Facilitator.
- Assist in preparing and closing the meeting space.
- Prepare and serve tea/coffee refreshments.
- Welcome and support new and regular attendees.
- Facilitate meetings according to your role training.
- Complete volunteer records and upload receipts for any expenses.
- Attend regular check-ins with a Volunteer Mentor to ensure a positive experience.
Skills and Personal Qualities Required:
- Active listening and effective communication.
- Confidence in group settings.
- Understanding of carer issues.
- Empathy and a caring approach.
- Non-judgemental attitude and ability to maintain boundaries.
- Commitment to promoting carer health and wellbeing.
Equipment needed?:
To access CSWS communications and training portal:
- Access to a computer or laptop
- Wifi access within your home
Training and Support
There is the following mandatory training required:
- Volunteer Induction
- Basic Adult Safeguarding
- LGBTQ+ Carer Awareness
- Co-facilitator specific training
- GDPR
Locations,Timings and Commitment
Ideally, we would have the same volunteer support for both groups, but if you are only able to commit to one location, please do get in touch.
Worthing
- Location: Worthing Town Hall, Chapel Road, Worthing, BN11 1HA
- Time: Monthly on the first Tuesday, 10:15 am – 12.45 pm.
- Commitment: 2.5/3 hours per month, minimum 6-month commitment.
Lancing
- Location: Lancing Parish Hall, 96 South Street, Lancing, BN15 8AJ.
- Time: Monthly on the second Tuesday Wednesday, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm.
- Commitment: 2.5/3 hours per month, minimum 6-month commitment.
Other Information:
- Reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses (travel and parking).
- Open to anyone aged 18 or over.
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
- Requires two references and a basic DBS check.