Job Title: Special Needs Supporter

Responsible To

Volunteer Co-ordinator

Main Objectives

• To support a volunteer with special needs whilst they positively contribute to the care and welfare of the animals

Main Duties

Meeting the needs of the volunteer

• To attend an initial meeting to meet and discuss the needs of the volunteer to be supported
• To support the volunteer in all aspects of their volunteering at The Mayhew, from meeting them in Reception, supporting them whilst they volunteer with the animals (cleaning and animal handling), and accompanying them on their breaks/lunch
• To patiently and clearly repeat instructions where needed and provide encouragement and advice during the period of volunteering
• Where possible provide at least two weeks notice to the Volunteer Co-ordinator if you are not going to be available to provide support on a particular week(s)

Training

• To attend the standard volunteer training for the section you will be supporting the volunteer on i.e. rabbit section, cattery or kennels, so you know what is expected
• To have an informal meeting with the Volunteer Co-ordinator to discuss what support needs the prospective volunteer has and the best way to meet the needs of the volunteer, animals and staff on the section the volunteer will be helping on

Health and Safety

• To assist the volunteer in all aspects on health and safety, to include responding to a fire alarm, and using the appropriate measures to avoid cross-infection of animals
• To support the volunteer in following instructions regarding mixing cleaning solutions and techniques for ensuring thorough cleaning
• To feedback to the Volunteer Co-ordinator any concerns relating to the health and safety of the volunteer or the animals in their care

Other general aspects of care

• To support the volunteer with other tasks requested by the section staff, e.g. feeding

Vacancies

Please see application form

Application Forms

To apply for a Special Need Supporter role at The Mayhew Animal Home, you must print and fill in two forms, our main Volunteer Application Form, and a Special Needs Supporter Application Form. If you are applying for more than one volunteering vacancy at The Mayhew, you only need to send the main volunteer application form once.

Upon receipt of your application form you will either be invited to The Mayhew Animal Home for an informal interview (usually on a Thursday or Sunday) to discuss your application further, or if your application is unsuccessful you will be sent a letter or email notifying you that we will not be taking your application any further on this occasion. We aim to acknowledge your application within two weeks of receipt.

For further details on volunteering at The Mayhew Animal Home, including current application dates, please visit our Volunteer Home Page and our Volunteering FAQ Page.