Interchange Central Gippsland

Information About Volunteering

Interchange is a not for profit community organisation that provides support to families who have a child with a disability. Parents provide all the loving care possible but they often need a break from the demands of caring. Interchange gives volunteers an opportunity to assist families who have a child with a disability

•Interchange Central Gippsland needs more volunteer hosts- to meet the needs of the current 60 families we have waiting for a host match across Gippsland.
•We also need more teenage volunteers for our recreational camps and day activities so we can continue to provide the best possible service to our young people with disabilities.

Can you help? Please read the information below and phone/email us today and ask about making a real difference in the life of a young person/child with a disability.

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CURRENT VOLUNTEERS 2006
We currently have 65 wonderful host and teenage volunteers who provide unmeasurable commitment and contribution to the organisation and the local community.
Volunteer hosts provided 3782.5 hours of respite in 2005/2006, and teenage recreation volunteers helped to provide 6484 hours of respite on the ROADIES and TV programs.

GENERAL VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Interchange staff carefully match children and young people with volunteers. If you volunteer for our service you will be asked to participate in initial screening including a police check (for over 18s), a home safety check (for host families) and a basic medical check.

It is not necessary to have any previous experience caring for people who have disabilities. Interchange offers a comprehensive training program and provides ongoing support to all volunteers.

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Interchange matches children with disabilities between the ages of 0-18 years with volunteer hosts/host families. This is done on an individual basis taking into account common interests, location, cultural needs, shared beliefs and individual wishes.

Everyone involved benefits. The child’s family have an opportunity for respite from their caring role, the child gets the opportunity to develop new friendships and fun social experiences and the hosts have the opportunity to welcome someone new into their lives, give to their local community and have great fun!

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TEENAGE VOLUNTEERS ( from 14 years old)
Interchange is continually looking for peer volunteers aged 14 and over to befriend, support, encourage and most importantly, enjoy the company of teenagers with disabilities on our recreation programs. As a peer volunteer you will usually be "buddied up" with a teenager with a disability for the duration of the day activity or camp, where adult staff will be present to guide and support you. Your role will be to engage your buddy and help provide them with the opportunity to explore life’s experiences. Sharing these experiences can be truly rewarding for both yourself and the teenager with a disability.

What is in it for you?
•Spending time on a regular basis with a teenager with a disability can be an enriching experience
•Opportunities to meet and socialise with others
• Experience new and different activities
•Can count as service for Duke of Edinburgh Award, Queen Scout Award and similar programs
• A range of training experiences
•References available on request
•Can be a stepping stone for a career path that you may not have previously considered

Who can volunteer?
•Anyone aged 14 and over with a genuine interest in supporting teenagers with a disability
•No experience necessary
•You do not have to be academically brilliant, a sporting fanatic, musically talented, artistically creative etc but you must have an appreciation of fun, caring, understanding and being involved. Be yourself
•Our volunteers come from all across Gippsland and create many new friendships with the teenagers with disabilities and with other volunteers

What's holding you back?
Call Interchange Central Gippsland now to get involved.
ph. 5127 7979 or email admin@icg.asn.au

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MENTORS
We are also looking for mentors for our SCaT Project. Social ConeXions and Technology
Be part of a new and innovative project!
Assist young people with a disability who find it very difficult to get a service!
Participate in an action research project that will have wider community benefits!
Do you have a specific talent or area of interest you would be willing to share with a young person with a disability?
You would be specifically matched with someone with a like interest. Full induction and training provided

Contact us to find out more about volunteering for Interchange Central Gippsland. Email admin@icg.asn.au or phone the Newborough office on 51277979, or Leongatha office on 56620925

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