Useful Vision is a registered charity providing positive opportunities and fun-packed events for blind or partially sighted children around the North East.
Useful Vision currently have two fantastic job opportunities:
Volunteer Project Coordinator
Salary: £18,000 gross pro rata.
Hours of work: 16 hours a week.
8 Month fixed term contract, opportunity to extend the role if funding allows.
Responsible to: The Trustee and management committee.
Main purpose and scope of the job
Recruiting, training and managing volunteers. Develop and run a Pilot project supporting visually impaired young people to volunteer alongside sighted volunteers.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Volunteer recruitment, training and management
- To develop and maintain links with local community groups, businesses etc. to recruit volunteers
- To match volunteers with suitable volunteering opportunities within useful Vision
- To coordinate, develop and deliver appropriate training for volunteers
- To monitor and review volunteer placements to ensure volunteers receive sufficient support
- To develop good practice policies and procedures and ensure Useful Vision staff and volunteers are fully trained in these practices
- Ensure all child protection checks are carried out, and appropriate child protection training given
Information, marketing and promotion
- To design and disseminate a range of marketing materials to promote Useful Vision to volunteers.
- To attend volunteer fairs and community events, to promote volunteering and funding
To organise recruitment events, workshops and talks, to promote volunteering programme. - To promote volunteering via social media, newsletter bulletins and website.
- To utilise local and regional networks to promote volunteering opportunities.
- Make strong links with the press to promote the charity to funders and volunteers.
Monitoring and evaluation
- Ensure funding requirements are met and the impact of the work is recorded, monitored and evaluated.
- Ensure databases are accurately updated and maintained and provide reports as required.
Other
- Work in a flexible manner as a team member showing initiative, including working some weekends.
- To work collaboratively with the team to ensure administration and information if fully coordinated.
- Undertake staff appraisals and staff development training, Vi awareness, child protection and first aid.
- You will be willing to demonstrate commitment to Useful Visions equal opportunities Policy.
Location: Based at Useful Vision, Azure Business Centre, High Street, Newburn, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE15 8LN. Will be required to travel extensively throughout the region from base and work some evenings and weekends.
Appointment is subject to an enhanced disclosure check
Childrens Activities & Events Co-ordinator
Salary: £18,540 pa pro rata.
Hours of work: 20 hours a week.
Main purpose and scope of the job
To manage and run events for blind and partially sighted children (age 0 – 18) and their families to ensure that these events are enjoyable, beneficial and in line with the ethos and aims of the Useful Vision charity.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- To contribute creative ideas for events in order to ensure the production of an enjoyable, informative and varied programme of events that is in line with the aims of Useful Vision
- To work collaboratively with the Charity Administrator to plan and organise events to ensure that all pre event activities are completed and that there is appropriate communication with suppliers of services and families
- To run the events to ensure that they are enjoyed and found beneficial by the children and their families. Events will range from early years activity in a range of settings to skills workshops and family days out.
- To monitor and observe the development of the children in order to ensure that the events are meeting their stated aims and in order to feedback these results to the Useful Vision team.
- To provide advice and support, both during events and at other times, to enable families to access specialist services that meet their needs
- To find, recruit and select volunteers who will support the events in a variety of roles to ensure that families are well cared for on the day
- To evaluate the events to ensure that they have met their aims and provide this information for compilation in reports
- To work collaboratively with the Charity Administrator to ensure that all information and administration is fully coordinated
- To establish professional contacts and work collaboratively with these individuals and organisations to best serve the needs of the children and their families.
Dimensions
- Staff – Must be able to manage a number of volunteers
- Financial – Must be able to stage events within an agreed budget
- Customers – Must be able to relate to the children and their families
Knowledge, Skilss and Experience
- Knowledge – Relevant NVQ level 3 qualification or equivalent in childcare. Knowledge of the needs of disabled children
- Skills – Planning and organising. Creativity. Good communication skill. Team working. Leadership. Judgement. Confidentiality. Building rapport.
- Experience – Working with children (toddlers and teenagers). Experience in child education and work with children with special needs would be advantageous. Experience working and developing relationships with a wide range of specialists and professionals.
Special Features
- Planning and Organising – Must be able to plan events on an annual basis and on a daily basis.
- Decision Making – Must make good decisions during discussions with families demonstrating sensitivity and professionalism
- Internal/External Relationships – Must work collaboratively in a small team being flexible in approach and showing willingness to support others when needed. Other Must be able to work weekends. Must be keen to develop new skills and undertake training e.g. VI training, safeguarding, first aid. Must drive and have own car. Must obtain an enhanced disclosure check.
To apply for either of these roles please email CV and covering letter to rebeccawilson@usefulvision.org.uk and specify which job vacancy you are interested in.
Closing date for both posts: Monday 10th Sep