RNID Near You volunteer, Northumbria (includes North Tyneside)

Provide support and advice to NHS hearing aid users at our Hear to Help Hearing Aid Maintenance Clinic, helping with basic maintenance and support of hearing aids.

Where

Various community settings and GP surgeries across Northumbria and North Tyneside.

When

Minimum commitment of two hours per month, depending on your availability

What you’ll be doing

As a hearing aid support volunteer, you will:

•attend our regular support sessions for hearing aid users

•undertake basic maintenance on hearing aids such as cleaning or changing tubing, ear moulds and filters and replacing batteries

•offer practical support to optimise hearing aids

•signpost other agencies that may be beneficial to the service user

•monitor the number of visits carried out and feedback to the volunteer co-ordinator

•complete relevant paperwork during support sessions

•refer enquiries to RNID staff if you do not know the answer

•keep all information given or discussed within the service confidential

•promote the work of RNID

•meet with other RNID volunteers and staff to discuss the project and suggest any improvements.

 What you’ll get in return

As a volunteer you will:

●make a real difference to the people you support

●help us run this important service

●receive training and learn new skills

●meet people in different situations

●raise awareness of deafness in the community

●have reasonable, out-of-pocket and pre-approved travel expenses repaid

Our commitment to safeguarding

At RNID, we take very seriously our responsibilities for the safety and welfare of the people who use our services, our volunteers, staff and the organisation as a whole.

All applicants successful at interview will be asked to disclose unspent convictions under the terms of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (as amended in 2013).

Criminal records will be taken into account only when the conviction is relevant and declaring a conviction will not necessarily prevent you from being considered for a role. Any decisions will depend on the type of offence and its relevance to the volunteering role that you are applying for at RNID.

What skills do I need?

What you need

You will need to provide the names of two referees who have known you for at least two years, preferably in a professional context.  This can include employers, colleagues, teachers, tutors, support workers, community leaders, child’s teacher or a member of a hobby or exercise group you belong to.

Here’s what we think could be beneficial:

•knowledge of or willingness to learn about issues affecting people confronting deafness, tinnitus and hearing loss- particularly older people.

•some experience of using hearing aids would be preferable but not essential.

•friendly, reliable and an approachable manner.

•ability to listen to questions and to answer appropriately

•happy to work with a wide range of people.

Location

This opportunity is available Countywide.