Disability Sports Hub Project Volunteer

The Disability Sports Hub Project looks to develop sustainable sports clubs and active recreation opportunities for people with disabilities in each district council in Northern Ireland. The project aims to utilise a range of adaptive sports equipment, provided to each district council through funding from the Department for Communities.  Volunteers will play a vital role in supporting sustainable programmes across Northern Ireland.

Volunteer Role Description:

Duties may include but are not limited to –

• Setting up and taking down before and after sessions
• Delivering and Facilitating sport and active recreation opportunities
• Providing support to participants during programmes
• Liaising with Regional Development Officers to create sustainable opportunities

Main Activities within the Hub Project:

• Wheelie Active Clubs – Regular opportunity for young people with physical disabilities and their friends/ siblings to take part in fun based multi-skills activities, games and inclusive sports.
• Boccia – A bowling game played from a seated position which is naturally inclusive of a whole range of disabled people. It can be played recreationally or competitively right up to a Paralympic level.
• Walking programmes – Regular guided walking sessions for people with physical, sensory and/or learning disabilities. These sessions are normally delivered in local parks.
• Inclusive Cycling Programmes – Cycling opportunities and events for individuals with a range of disabilities, groups and families using the range of inclusive cycles including tandem bikes, trikes and hand cycles provided at each hub.
• Sensory Programmes – Regular sensory activity sessions for people with sight loss. Sessions may include sports such as blind tennis, goalball as well as multi-activity sessions.
• Learning Disability Programmes – Sessions in a range of sports for people with learning disabilities.
• Community Events – A range of community events offering the opportunity for disabled people to take part in recreational and competitive events. Events will include boccia competitions, new age kurling competitions, sports hall athletics competitions, cycling events and sensory events.

Where sessions take place:

• Venues across each district council area of Northern Ireland, including the designated Hub Facility

Time Commitment (will vary in each area):

• Sessions may take place during the day, evenings, and/or weekends in-line with volunteer availability

Skills/Experience:

• Experience in volunteering is beneficial but not essential
• An interest in helping others
• Confidence to engage with staff, participants and the public
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Good listening and communication skills
• Respectful

Volunteer Role Requirements:

• Access to a form of transport which will allow you to carry out the role
• Ability to commit to the outlined Time Commitment section
• Volunteers under the age of 16 must be supervised by a parent or guardian
• Volunteers under the age of 18 will be asked to provide parental consent

Police Check/Access NI:

• Please note, there will be occasions when volunteers will be left unsupervised. As a result, volunteers are required to complete an Access NI check.

To register your interest please complete the online form on the link below:

https://forms.gle/z14xrWQ1HhGBD51U7