CAMTAD’s work is carried out by volunteers and as at November 2009 we have 115 volunteers. We always need volunteers to work in the clinics but there are also other roles for volunteers - giving advice on environmental aids, giving talks, helping with stalls, fund raising and promoting the Charity.
Most volunteers work in the monthly clinics near where they live. Some volunteers will work in one clinic only whilst others will serve several, and for more experienced volunteers there is the option to carry out home visits or visits to residential homes and sheltered accommodation. Our volunteers do not provide a befriending service.
The clinical volunteers work in teams under the supervision of the Session Supervisors and there is always a friendly and relaxed atmosphere with more experienced volunteers offering their knowledge to the newcomers.
Volunteers undertake a free 6 week training course (half a day a week) which we run twice a year, to learn how to maintain hearing aids. Even if the volunteer would prefer to work in other ways we encourage them to undertake the course so that they can get a full picture of the work we do and understand the challenges of our hearing impaired clients. Refresher training is provided and is compulsory for volunteers who work with hearing aids.
People who wish to undertake our training for professional reasons will be charged to cover our costs.
We have a newsletter to keep volunteers up to date with developments in the charity and we arrange an annual lunch and a sociable AGM with a guest speaker. Fundraising activities also keep volunteers in touch with each other and the work that we do.
Our volunteers are required to provide references and a CRB check is carried out. In the future we will require volunteers to register with the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
Volunteer TrainingWe run two training courses for new volunteers each year, usually in the Spring and Autumn.
This is a 6 week course one morning a week, designed to introduce you to the nature of hearing impairment and how hearing aids work. It is a hands-on course to train volunteers to be able to carry out basic maintenance of hearing aids so they can confidently help in our Hearing Help Sessions. It will be of interest to anyone who wants to know more about hearing impairment.
You will learn:Tea and coffee will be provided during training.
The course is free to potential volunteers. We charge £25 per session for others.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please telephone the office on 01223 416141 or e-mail admin@camtadcambs.org.uk
For more information on training and how to become a volunteer contact the office, via telephone 01223 416141 or e-mail admin@camtadcambs.org