Support local people by ‘Virtual Volunteering’
A local charity Onside has encouraged people to sign up as volunteers and support their project to visit people in residential care and uphold the person’s rights acting in their best interests. A great start to a New Year making difference to local lives.
Onside, which works across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, is looking for people to take on the role of a Relevant Persons Representative (RPR). Volunteers as an RPR are safeguarding the rights of vulnerable people who don’t have the mental capacity to consent to care or treatment.
This involves visiting people with dementia, learning disabilities, and individuals assessed to have a lack of capacity to consent to living in residential care. As an RPR the volunteer would be visiting ( currently over video call- Virtual, full training given) a person just once every 4 weeks for no more than 1 hour. Volunteering would be local to where the volunteer lives.
Onside, which works across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, is looking for people to take on the role of a Relevant Persons Representative (RPR). Free RPR training would be given to carry out the role. Onside have the benefit of a specialist Mental Health Capacity Advocacy team to support volunteers along with a dedicated Volunteer Team.
Onside’s Volunteer Manager, Claire Watkins, said “Our volunteers give their time, their passion and enthusiasm, this is a great time to volunteer in this new and exciting role.” “This particular role is very worthwhile and extremely rewarding.”
Volunteers are ordinary people of all ages and backgrounds they just need to be good listeners and have some time to give.
We also have opportunities for all our advocacy projects along with mentoring too. Please take a look at our website.
If you can picture yourself in the role of an Onside volunteer please call Claire Watkins – Volunteer Manager on 07592 737303 or email claire.watkins@onside-advocacy.org.uk to find out more. This type of volunteering can be very flexible to fit with your life and circumstances. Free training (throughout the year) is provided and all expenses paid.
Note to Editors: Background on charity:
- Onside improves the lives of over 5000 vulnerable adults every year in Worcestershire and Herefordshire. • We provide free services to support adults facing disadvantage through mental and physical ill health, learning disability and old age. Eg. Depression, autism, learning difficulties • Onside employs over 150 people and has150 active volunteers • Onside is a Worcestershire based charity established in 1993 stemming from a belief that everyone has the right to be a valued human being and to be treated in a just and fair manner.
Registered Charity no. 1102022 Onside contact: Volunteering: Claire Watkins 01905 27525 volunteering@onside-advocacy.org.ukWeb: www.onside-advocacy.org.uk.