Volunteer Telford

PODS Befriending Scheme is a network of trained parent volunteers who support other parents of children with special needs at the time of diagnosis or during challenging times related to their child’s disability.

Every Befriender is someone whose own child has special needs.

They know what it is like to cope with a new diagnosis and the challenges that come with it in the future. 

This service is free and confidential.

We support parents of children with any type of disability or special need. As a parent of a child with a special need or disability you have something unique to offer. Your own experiences mean that you can empathise with other parents and help them to make positive adjustments to the news of their child’s special need/disability or you can provide support when they are facing new challenges.

Many parents find it invaluable to have another parent to talk to who can understand and listen.

So why not become a PODS Befriender, support other local parents, and strengthen our local community?

A growing number of people are housebound, isolated and lonely, or at risk of becoming so. 
Bird feeding can provide great pleasure to those who are housebound and a weekly visit by a bird feeding friend can offer valuable regular social contact.
Volunteers are matched with someone in the community (preferably nearby in adjacent streets) who is isolated or at risk of becoming so, with the aim of helping them attract birds to their garden.

Volunteers will visit clients in their home, once/twice a week for up to an hour, to help feed the birds. This will include,putting up bird feeders, cleaning them, replacing seed and chatting about birds that have been using the feeders.

We are a Christian charity that collects unwanted usable tools, refurbishes them, sorts them into trade tool kits and sends them to the developing world for livelihood creation.

A TWAM Local Group is a team of people who share our passion for livelihood creating tools and get together to collect tools from their area. Many also arrange tool collections at local supermarkets, DIY stores and garden centres.

Many also offer talks to local community groups and even speak on local radio. Some groups sort the tools before arranging collection and some even do some refurbishment, such as grinding off rust and fixing loose handles.

To start you need somewhere to store tools, such as a vacant garage or big shed and the enthusiasm to gather together likeminded friends. Our local groups have a great community spirit and are a huge support for TWAM.

What will you be doing?

There are so many possibilities, but the main tasks usually undertaken are:

You will be collect tool from requests made by the general public through the TWAM website.

You will promote TWAM locally to generate your own tool donation requests.

You will store the tools until and arrange collection by a TWAM van.

You will sort the tools so all broken and unsuitable tools are removed before the van collects.

You will do basic tool refurbishment as facilities and skills allow.

You will visit shows, farmers markets, local events etc. to promote TWAM and tool donations.

You will offer talks and demonstrations to churches and other local groups to encourage their support.

You will work with your local Tool Ambassadors, Community Ambassadors and Community Champions to have a real impact on your community.

What are we offering?

TWAM will provide training and advice. We will all put you in touch with another local group who will offer advice and support. You will offer support to other potential groups who need advice on how to set up and run a group.

You may not do all of these things, but they are examples of what Local Groups do for TWAM.

We will invite you to visit your nearest Refurbishment Centre and invite you to Volunteer Days and Open Days.

We will include you in the Local Group Network which will offer support and resources to all groups and help them stay in touch with each other.

We will provide you with leaflets, pull up banners, and promotional materials. We will also provide a leaflet just about your local group for you to distribute.

We will provide materials for talks and, if needed, a projector and screen.

You will have the support of the Volunteering Coordinator, Fundraising and Communications Officer, and Press Officer.

You will be offered your own promotional page on the main TWAM website.

TWAM will help with expenses, such as when needing to purchase grinding wheels for refurbishment, basic tools for refurbishment, and expenses if attending exhibitions. However, we permit local groups to sell unwanted tools to help cover their own costs and most try to be self- financing.

We will provide you with TWAM branded polo shirts and fleeces.

Finally, it is an amazing opportunity to build friendships, impact your community, and transform lives.

What a difference you will make?

This is an incredibly rewarding role as you are directly helping people living in ultra- poverty gain the tools that will change their lives.

There are not too many volunteer opportunities where the role you do, will make a direct difference to people thousands of miles away. However, the tools the local group collects will be in the hands of a trained tailor or craftsmen in Africa potentially within months.

It is quite normal for people to recognize tools they have collected (usually large and unusual ones) being used in Africa in photos in our magazine. That’s the genuine difference you will make.

Being a sense shop volunteer is a great way meet people, boost confidence and gain valuable retail experience.