| A1. |
It is very difficult
to state exactly what a learning difficulty
is. We asked some of the members of BUILD
what having a learning difficulty means
to them:
“Having difficulty speaking, getting
confused and not having much confidence”
“Difficulty with problems and
needing support with things like crossing
the road”
One member who used to live on his own
said he couldn’t cope with cooking
and got muddled with money.
One of our BUILD volunteers commented
that it was impossible to describe someone
with a learning difficulty as it covered
too large and diverse a group of people
and that we are all individuals with different
personalities.
|
| A2. |
No. We provide initial and
ongoing support as well as training. However
the most important factor is a willingness
to work with people with learning difficulties
enabling them to lead active and fulfilling
lives.
|
| A3. |
As much as you want. This
can be weekly, fortnightly or monthly and
it is important that you find a time commitment
that suits you. We do ask that once you
have made a time commitment that you stick
to it, where possible.
|
| A4. |
As a rule, we cover all volunteer
expenses. This includes travel costs and
any extra costs incurred.
|
| A5. |
Please either contact us
for an information pack or for a very informal
chat. There will be no pressure put on you
to volunteer but we would very much like
the opportunity to tell you a bit more about
BUILD and its projects.
|
| A6. |
BUILD covers the Norwich
area, although there is now also a BeFriends
project in North Norfolk (covering the areas
between Sheringham to Walcott and inland
to North Walsham). We are fully aware of
a need for our services within other parts
of the county (and beyond) and hope to expand
in the future.
|
| A7. |
Yes. Volunteers are police
checked via the Criminal Records Bureau.
We also require them to provide 2 references.
|
| A8. |
For all people interested
in joining BUILD as a member, a referral
form first needs to be completed. Contact
us if you would like us to send you one.
|
| A9. |
Fees paid by members will
depend on which services they use. They
range from £1 per person per night
to attend Wednesday Club or Youth Group
to £25 for an annual fee to access
an active Befriending partnership. |
| A10. |
There are different types
of advocacy:
Self-Advocacy is when
we speak up for ourselves, telling people
what we need and want to do.
Crisis Advocacy is
needed when we need a person to talk to
on our behalf in a crisis situation e.g.
if the police are involved or at the hospital.
Citizen Advocacy is
when a person is asked by us to talk on
our behalf may be at a meeting or at a
conference.
Peer Advocacy is when
another group or club member talks for
us if we are finding it difficult to say
what we want to say.
Group Advocacy is when
a group of people get together to speak
up for themselves to change things like
we did through Me, Myself and I.
|
| A11. |
You can get an overview of
how to donate by clicking on the funding
page, or you can contact the office
to give you further details of this procedure. |
