Community Invited to Explore New Opportunities at June Volunteer Fairs

Barry, a lorry driver from Somerset, has been volunteering with the RNID for more than a year, supporting care home residents with practical hearing aid help. Having experienced hearing loss himself from the age of 40, Barry understands the challenges that come with adjusting to hearing aids and navigating everyday communication. His personal journey also inspired him to learn British Sign Language (BSL), deepening his connection to the deaf community and leading him to discover a passion for volunteering. "My tutor advertised the RNID volunteer role on her website, and I thought I’d apply. I wasn’t really looking to start volunteering, but it sort of found me. I’m a lorry driver and I’m not technically au fait, but I can fix things and I’m open to new experiences so I thought, ‘Why not give it a go?’” "What I do with RNID is go into the community – usually care home settings – and have a chat with people. We’ll have a cup of coffee and a biscuit – even better if it’s a chocolate one – and I fix their hearing aids up at the same time. "I unblock or change the tubes, give the hearing aids a clean up and change the batteries. It can be really fiddly, especially for older people who may have lost a bit of dexterity, so I’m there to help them out with it. "Something that often happens is that the microphone gets clogged up with hairspray. There is such a simple fix – brushing the area lightly with a toothbrush – meaning that person has some hearing again. Sometimes, I’ll explain to people how to change the settings. It’s amazing to see the difference that short time can make. "Residents in the care homes are always so happy to see us, and I have a lovely chat with them as well as fixing their hearing aids. I’m usually with each person for about quarter of an hour and you get a lot of information in that time. There was one woman who told me her full medical history and all about her grandchildren! "I’m not sure what people like most about us coming – getting their hearing aids fixed or the company. Maybe it’s a bit of both. "Everybody’s happy to see you and I drive away with a good feeling that I’ve done something, even a small amount, to help somebody. And it’s cost me a couple of hours. "The beauty of volunteering for me is that I can do something really hands-on to help. When I started, there was quite a lot of training. You can’t just go around looking at people’s hearing aids! "I didn’t know much about audiology, but we had several sessions at Taunton Hospital, learning about how the ear works as well as how hearing aids operate. I like to learn new things, and I found that fascinating. "During my training, we saw an elderly gentleman who was completely deaf in one ear. His hearing aid had stopped working two weeks earlier and he had no hearing on that side at all. The lady who I was doing the training with had to fix his hearing aid to be able to ask him how it broke! It turned out to be as simple as wax build up in the tubes. I remember the look of joy on his face – he was so happy to be able to hear again. "That’s when I realised what a difference this work can make for people. "It took him two weeks to get an appointment, and he had to come on the bus, struggling to communicate without his hearing. A lot of older people can’t get to appointments like that, so the care home sessions are really important. "I always come away feeling better and I like to think that I’ve left the residents in a better position as well. It’s a win win." If you would like to volunteer for the RNID like Barry or explore other volunteering opportunities, click the link below.

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Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP) are a champion of inclusive volunteering, particularly for individuals with disabilities. With a strong commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering equality, SASP has developed several initiatives designed to make volunteering accessible to all. Central to this effort is the Fit for Work programme , which empowers individuals with disabilities by helping them build confidence, acquire new skills, and transition into meaningful volunteer roles. Managed by SASP’s disability team, the Fit for Work programme provides a supportive environment where individuals can develop their skills practically, build their confidence and ability to work in a team. Through these elements, participants are equipped with the tools to lead, support, and engage in a variety of activities both within and outside the workplace. The impact of this programme is evident through the success stories of its graduates, who have gone on to become volunteers within SASP and other organisations. These graduates actively contribute to various events and initiatives, providing support to other individuals with disabilities and furthering the impact of the programme. Two great examples of Fit for Work graduates who have transitioned into volunteering roles are Tom and Betty. Tom has gone on to volunteer at subsequent Fit for Work courses. By sharing his own experiences, Tom is able to empathise with new participants, helping them overcome challenges and find success. He views his volunteer work as a way of giving back to the programme that had such a positive impact on him. Betty has volunteered at an Inclusive Sports Day organised by Nova Sports , where she assisted adults with disabilities in trying new sports and activities. She also regularly volunteers at the Sedgemoor Stars session, a physical activity programme designed for adults with disabilities. Betty finds volunteering incredibly rewarding, as it has helped her develop her confidence, make new friends, and gain valuable leadership experience. Reflecting on her experience, Betty shares: “I loved Fit for Work; I really enjoyed it. It was really fun, and I got to meet new people. I learnt to help other people and helped people get involved with activities. I learnt how to communicate and work as a team, and this has helped me with my volunteering when I am leading.” One of the key challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when considering volunteering opportunities is the concern that they may not have the necessary support or that their disability may prevent them from participating. Through conversations with participants in the Fit for Work programme, SASP identified that many individuals worry they won’t be able to meet expectations or perform the tasks required. Betty emphasises the importance of being confident when discussing needs with employers: “A common concern for people with disabilities is that they won’t be able to do it or won’t have the right support. Be confident to talk to your employer so they can understand what needs you have and how they can best support you. When you have the right support, you can do great things.” She encourages others to try volunteering, even if they have reservations: “Just give it a go, you don’t know unless you try. You might find something you are good at or really enjoy. Volunteering gives you lots of energy and boosts your social skills, it helps you make new friends”. SASP’s approach to inclusive volunteering has proven to be highly effective in creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Through initiatives like the Fit for Work programme and the Volunteer in Somerset Campaign , SASP has demonstrated that, with the right support, people with disabilities can become valuable, confident, and active participants in their communities. These programmes not only encourage participation but also provide the foundation for individuals to take on leadership roles and make lasting impacts on the lives of others. For more information on volunteering opportunities with SASP, please click here: