Family Activities Volunteer

Noah’s Ark provides regular Family Activities including Family Days, Parent Groups, Siblings’ Groups and Noah’s Ark (referred) Children’s Groups. These activities are designed to provide fun and free days out, allowing children and families the opportunity to meet others in similar situations and to take part in new activities in accessible environments.

Becoming a Family Activities Volunteer is a serious commitment, which provides a rewarding opportunity to directly support children with life-limiting or life threatening conditions and their families.

We are currently looking to recruit Family Activities Volunteers who are available to volunteer at events held during school holidays.

Noah’s Ark takes their responsibility for safeguarding the wellbeing of children seriously. This role is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Application. 2 references are also required.

Opportunities of the role:

• Gain experience working with children
• Gain experience working with people with disabilities
• Build social skills through a variety of interactions
• Develop abilities to work as part of a team

Family Days – Main activities / tasks include:

• Setting up the room
• Greeting and directing families
• Running activities for family members
• Supporting individual families
• Assisting with refreshments
• Tidying up

Parent Groups – Main activities / tasks of this role:

Assisting with the crèche by playing and reading with babies and toddlers

Siblings’ Groups – Main activities / tasks include:

Escorting siblings in taxis or on public transport

Supporting and befriending siblings throughout the activities

Assisting and encouraging siblings to take part in the activities

These groups are for the brothers and sisters of the children we support. There are three groups, ages 5-9, ages 10-13, and a youth group for siblings aged 14+.

Noah’s Ark Children’s Groups – Main activities / tasks can include:

Working 1:1 with a child, alongside our team of Specialist Carers and Nurses, to support them engaging in activities

These groups are for the children referred to us with life-limiting and / or life-threatening conditions and are divided based on the children and young people’s ages and conditions.

Qualities / experience / skills needed:

• Ability to work well with others
• Good communication skills
• Reliability, commitment and engagement
• Initiative and problem-solving skills
• A good level of self-awareness
• A good understanding of the role and of Noah’s Ark’s expectations of volunteers

PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers will not have sole responsibility for a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition and will not be expected to undertake any personal care or administer medication.

Minimum age: 18+

Availability: The majority of Family Activities take place either at either weekends or during school holidays, and usually last around 6-7 hours in terms of volunteering time. We are currently looking to recruit Family Activities Volunteers who are available to volunteer at events during school holidays.

Location: Noah’s Ark supports families living in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington & Herts Valley. Most Family Activities take place within these boroughs, but occasionally may be held outside this area, in Hertfordshire or Central London.