Opportunities
Volunteering lies in the heart of Lothian Autistic Society and can give you the opportunity to learn new skills, improve job prospects and most importanly help others. Our volunteers play a key role within our organisation and greatly improve the development of the children and young people.
"I have volunteered with LAS for a number of years. It has been highly rewarding and I really enjoy giving something back to the community. LAS have provided me with great support as a Volunteer and have given me great training opportunities. I would highly recommend volunteering with LAS to others!"
Playscheme Volunteer
There are loads of reasons to volunteer, here are just a few to get you started!
| Meet new people | Enhance your CV | Make a positive difference |
| Help you local community | Explore new areas of interest | Feel involved |
| Try something new | Use you skills in a productive way | Increase your confidence |
| Develop new talents | Discover new potential career paths | Inspire others |
All that's needed is enthusiasm and motivation!!
Below are details of the many opportunities available with LAS
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1. Playscheme 2. Social Club 3. Management Committee 4. Events Committee
1. Playscheme Volunteer
Place of work: Edinburgh or West Lothian
Dates of Employment: Easter and Summer holidays
Qualifications required: -
No formal qualifications are needed but a willingness to learn and ability to relate well to others is essential.
Training: -
A full training programme is available, it is mandatory that all volunteers attend a training weekend.
Role Description: -
This is a great way of developing new skills and gaining experience and we offer an extensive training programme.
Volunteers will be required to assist care worker in ensuring that each young person is able to participate in activities, develop friendships, social skills and imaginative play, and enable them to enjoy new experiences.
Volunteers will also help carers to complete daily diaries that are sent home to parents at the end of each day. Vigilance in reporting incidents, accidents and relevant information is essential.
The emphasis of the playscheme is on fun and encouraging the childrenand young people to learn and develop their skills through playing with others.
For more information, please contact n.latham@lothianautistic.org
2. Social Club - Volunteer Care Worker
Hours: 4.00pm to 6.15pm or 6.30pm to 9.00pm, Wednesday Evenings
Place of project: The Yard Adventure Centre, Edinburgh
Qualifications required:-
No formal qualifications are needed, but a willingness to learn and ability to relate well to others is essential. Experience of working with young people and/or those with addiontial support needs would be an advantage.
Training:
Training relating to Autism Spectrum Condition awareness and the role of the volunteer will be given.
Background:
Since 2007, Lothian Autistic Society has been offering weekly social clubs for children and young people ith Asperger's and High Functioning Autism.
Our Social Clubs aim to provide a safe environment in which socail skills may be developed and confidence raised, while at the same time providing the young people with an opportunity to develop relationships with their peers on the spectrum in an environment where they can relax and be themselves.
Each young person (8-18yrs) attending the Social Club will have a diagnosis of Asperger's Syndrome and be currently attending mainstream education.
Role description:
Volunteers will be required to assist the Leader and Deputy in ensuring that each young person is able to participate in activities and develop friendships. Volunteers will also assist the Leader and Deputy in ensuring that the views of each young person are heard, in relation to both the current status and the future development of the Social Club.
The emphasis of the Social Club is on encouraging the young people to develop friendships with their peers and to take ownership of the Club and guide its development.
Reasonable expenses will be paid
To apply:
Applications and enquiries to: Lothian Autistic Society, Unit 22 Castlebrae Business Centre, 40 Peffer Place, Edinburgh, EH16 4BB Email: office@lothianautistic.org
3. Management Committee Trustees
Salary: Unpaid
Ever thought you would like to do something more to help your society? Here's the opportunity for you.......
LAS is looking to recruit more Trustees to the Management Committe which meets once each month. As a Trustee of LAS you will work together with the existing board of Trustees and will assist in monitoring and directing the work of LAS.
In addition to being part of an enthusiastic team you will benefit from the opportunity to help others who are living with the challenges of Autistic Spectrum Condition. This can be a truly rewarding experience and your unique insight into the condition will be greatly valued.
Induction and ongoing training will be provided.
If you are interested we would be pleased to hear from you, particularly if you have an understanding of council operations (or know someone who does and may want to help) a legal background or can offer expertise in marketing. We are also interested in recruiting trustees who can spare some time to represent the interests of LAS at daytime meetings. At present we have no Trustees from the West Lothian area and the society would benefit from their input.
Please apply by sending a covering letter and CV outlining skills, experience and knowledge.
Applications may be made by post marked Private & Confidential to:
Lothian Autistic Society
FAO The Chair
Unit 22, Castlebrae Business Centre
40 Peffer Place
Edinburgh
EH16 4BB
or email m.keenan@lothianautistic.org
="">LAS has a events committee whose aim is to help raise funds for all our various projects. If you would like to get involved with the events committee or have a good idea for an opportunity you would like to propose, please contact the office on 0131 661 3834 or e-mail office@lothianautistic.org.
Volunteers are an important and valued part of Lothian Autistic Society. We hope that you will enjoy volunteering with us and feel that your contribution is worthwhile.