CAPE TOWN CHILD WELFARE FAMILY AND FRIENDS

GIVE A HELPING HAND TO THOSE IN NEED

Volunteers at work

As we see the needs of children in the Western Cape growing steadily, our quest to recruit, prepare and inform more volunteers grows increasingly urgent as we realize that the needs of these children can only be met with the assistance and dedication of volunteers who will act as the eyes, ears and hands who assist social workers.

It is vital that, communities understand the needs and that they take up the challenge to become involved in the care and protection of our children.

No contribution is too small or insignificant and we believe that every individual has a valuable contribution to make.

There is a vast range of activities which volunteers can assist with, and these range from direct involvement with children, to assisting with administration and practical tasks.

It is not necessary that volunteers be able to offer large amounts of time; even an hour a week, or a set period during holiday times will be welcomed and valued.

The Volunteer Program aims to widen the social safety net at community level in order to render more effective care and protection to vulnerable children, and to form a close partnership with people from all communities.

Recruitment

Recruitment drives are advertised via the media in order to encourage any prospective volunteers to attend the orientation, information and preparation meetings.

Prospective volunteers are required to bring along their identity documents, Driver's License and details of two contactable referees.

A variety of volunteers are needed to:

Care for children (for adoption, foster care and emergency parents)
Monitor the care of children
Participate in or provide:

Child abuse training
HIV/AIDS training
Job Skills training

Educare / Early Learning Development training
Support families e.g. with respite care or child-headed households
Assist with Fundraising and Marketing e.g. special events
Support our volunteers
Provide transport e.g. take children to hospital
Assist with our second-hand clothing store e.g. sort, wash, repair clothing
Help trace birth parents and children
Assist children with homework
Provide after school care in identified areas
Assist at our 24/7 call centre
And…..many more ways

The basic training process includes:

Overview of Cape Town Child Welfare
Allocation procedures and the needs of each team within the Cape Town Child Welfare
Rights of the Child; Responsibilities of the Child
The Child Care Act
Guiding principles of a volunteer(confidentiality/honesty/trust/respect/discipline/reliability)
Basic child safety and health
Dealing with basic accidents
HIV/AIDS
Roles (Social worker / social auxillary worker / volunteer)

Volunteers are given the chance of electing the capacity in which they would like to assist the organisation.

Skills, interest and availability of time will be assessed in individual interviews with the volunteers, before incorporating them into specific projects. The various teams will then further nurture and support, as well as give the relevant training for work to be done in their specific focus areas.

For more information contact Ina Vermeulen at +27 21 638 3127 or e-mail information@helpkids.org.za

Please click here to fill in the Volunteer Form