"Engaging, Enriching, Empowering"

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at The Nesbitt Centre (TNC). As a volunteer, you will be an important part of our lively organisation. We are here to provide community based opportunities for adults with intellectual disabilities to live productive and integrated lives. We focus on equality and encourage our members to take responsibility for their lives and make their own decisions.

We have many areas that you could play a part in such as:

• Work placements/job-finding support;
• Community service; community access (eg visiting libraries, museums, going for coffee etc)
• Overnight respite service
• Advocacy groups
• Personal development groups, such a social skills, computer skills and current affairs
• Art, Dance, Music and Drama classes
• Life skills, such as shopping, traveling and cooking
• Current affairs
• Sport/swimming
• Social/recreational events
• Speech and Language Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Pyshio -Therapy

The monthly Nesbitt Centre newsletters and on-going fund-raising events help to promote awareness of who we are, what we do and why our service is so important, you could really help us in these areas too.

Typically, volunteers work in very small groups or on a 1:1 basis, after initial training. For example, you might take 2 of our members to Starbucks for morning coffee to develop their money management and communication skills. When you feel comfortable, you might support an individual in a new job; learning new routines together before withdrawing to let that person carry out his/her job independently.

If you are interested in sport, we have Monday morning sports sessions at The Hong Kong Football Club; we also try to introduce as many sport related activities as possible during the week, such as Yoga and Dance.

Wherever and whenever possible, we try to organise activities outside of The Nesbitt Centre building. We believe that people should be out and about, leading their lives as an integrated part of the community, rather than segregated away from an 'ordinary' adult context. Volunteers and staff are part of the support network that makes this possible.

If you feel that, whilst you want to volunteer in some way, you just don’t have the time to actually come into the Centre, you can still help! We are constantly thinking of fundraising ideas and ways to ‘get us out there’. If you have experience in event management for example, or you are a keen hobby craft enthusiast who would be willing to give us some wares to sell at fairs we would be thrilled.
　

Over the last three years, in the friendly atmosphere of the Centre, I’ve learned many things. I’ve learned from the staff the importance of a positive attitude, I’ve learned ways to encourage our service users, to bring out their different talents and abilities, and from the members themselves, I’ve learned about facing challenges and overcoming difficulties.
I appreciate the good humour, the imagination and the dedication of the staff.
I love the spontaneous warmth and friendliness of our service users, their openness and spirit, their genuine enjoyment in achieving something new. All of them are very much their own, individual persons, and it’s nothing less than thrilling to watch one of our group master a new skill, perhaps take on new responsibility, or simply laugh more readily than before.
I was lucky to find TNC. I regard it as a privilege to spend time with this refreshingly lively bunch of people and I know they all have more to teach me.
　

• We organise ongoing individual programmes for our members, therefore, the volunteers who actively participate in TNC activities are needed on a regular, committed basis. We need as much notice as possible for any changes or holidays so that we can cover your absence without interrupting an individual’s work schedule. It is much better to meet a regular, small commitment than to over-commit and subsequently have to reduce your time spent with us.
• The Centre’s philosophy is based on a person-centred approach with a focus on equality, opportunity and respecting the importance of each individual. Volunteers are encouraged to explore these concepts within their own interactions. Our experienced Multi-disciplinary Team will take the time to share their knowledge and understanding. This partnership will enable you to enhance your theoretical understanding and practical experiences of working with Adults with learning Disabilities.
• Providing feedback to Key Workers is a vital part of building up a complete picture of our Members’ strengths, preferences, dislikes and difficulties. Sometimes an individual acts to perpetuate the effects of their disability. Part of our role is to help an individual to present themselves positively in a social situation, so that more opportunities can be created and utilised. In the rare event of injury or any exceptional occurrence, please inform the Programme Director (Vanessa Elliott) immediately.
• Feedback often includes the Volunteer’s own response to a situation. Any anxiety/concern at all should be discussed as soon as possible with an experienced member of staff. Often, such anxieties provide a perceptive insight into a situation which can lead to positive changes. (All volunteers will also be given a copy of our Grievance Procedure).
• Confidentiality of personal information is mandatory. This applies to any personal information concerning staff, volunteers and members or their families. Personal information may be discussed only with the individual concerned, their Key worker or Supervisor. Please be aware that even sharing personal data with other volunteers would be inappropriate. It is fine to discuss shared experiences and day-to-day happenings. If you are in any doubt, do seek further advice. It is particularly important not to discuss any individuals in the presence of other Centre members. (See our Confidentiality Policy)
• The context of our work relies on promoting adult lives and independence. It is therefore important to consider details and the image that these may convey. For example, in an art group or drama workshop, the programme and finished outcome should not resemble a performance or product created by or for children. Achieving this takes practice, so please feel free to ask for support and ideas.
• In encouraging independence, individuals can often achieve much for themselves if given sufficient time and encouragement. High expectations are important, particularly in respect of appropriate adult behaviour in social and public settings.
• Working at The Nesbitt Centre should be a satisfying and mutually fulfilling experience. We welcome discussion in order to make this a reality for everyone.

<Download Volunteer Registration form>

Please see the Recruitment section for further information on work placements and internships schemes available.