VOLUNTEERING WITH VHA

VHA requires volunteers to help us on a part time basis - sparing a few hours a week by helping our service users by taking part in ANY of the following:

DRIVING:
You would be required to drive a Service User and their Support Worker to activities/events in the local community
(Either using your own care or the Service User's mobility vehicle where available - mileage allowance would be paid to you if you were using your own vehicle)

GARDENING:
If you have green fingers, you may like to help support some of our Service Users who like to tend to their gardens, growing flowers, vegetables and herbs.

FUNDRAISING:
We are currently developing a list of venues throughout the West Midlands were we can collect donations from the public and answer any promote the good work our charity does.

WEBSITE SUPPORT:
We desperately need someone with experience of updating website (powered by Joomla) to spend a couple of hours a week keeping the information on the site fresh and up-to-date with what is happening. Additional knowledge of how Facebook and Twitter could benefit our charity would also be appreciated.

If you think that you could spare us some of your time and would like to know more, please contact Caroline on 0121 434 4644 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

You may be required to undertake a CRB check when working with a vulnerable adult. There is currently no charge for volunteers to obtain a CRB Disclosure.

You can also help Vision Homes Association by:

Making a Donation

VHA has particular problems in fund raising because it is not well known to the general public, and it works in a specialist field that does not have immediate public appeal. It is therefore reliant on the generosity and understanding of individuals to raise the additional funds it needs to develop and maintain quality services.

• Click on the DONATE NOW button at the bottom of this page which will take you to the Charity Choice website and enable you to make a donation online
•Click on the CHARITY CARD button below which will take you to the Charities Aid Foundation website and enable you to make a donation online
• Send a cheque, made payable to Vision Homes Association, to VHA, TriGate, 210-222 Hagley Road West, Oldbury, B68 0NP
• Make a credit card donation over the phone [0121 434 4644]
• Set up a standing order to Vision Homes Association – please ring the above number for further information
• Consider payroll giving [a regular deduction from your salary to which, tax you would have paid on the amount of your donation, is automatically added] – speak to your employer about this.

Remember that if you are a tax payer, VHA can significantly increase the value of your donation by reclaiming, from the Inland Revenue, the tax you have already paid. To enable VHA to reclaim this tax, you need only to sign a simple form giving your permission. Contact us on 0121 434 4644.

Becoming an Advocate [giving practical help to the people VHA supports]

An advocate is an individual who builds a close relationship with a service user and works alongside him/her to ensure s/he receives a quality service and can develop the lifestyle to which s/he aspires.

An advocate could support and speak on behalf of the service user on issues including their community presence and activities, medical intervention, the level of care provided by VHA, funding of the service user’s placement and his/her personal finances. In doing so, the advocate would help the service user work through any problems that may arise, but also would be instrumental in supporting the service user to achieve his/her goals in doing at least some of the things most of us are able to take for granted, and to enjoy life to the full.

Being an advocate requires commitment, to an individual, on a regular basis and is time consuming.

If you think you could be an advocate for one of VHA’s service users please contact Paul Dixon [01584 877166] for an initial discussion and further information.

Sharing Your Skills

Vision Homes Association is keen to encourage musicians, artists and craftspeople to share their skills with service users to enable them to experiment under expert guidance and to learn new skills.

Music, art or craft sessions [depending on content, length and number of
participants] could be organised either in service users homes or at VHA’s Loudwater Art Studio in Ludlow. Some sessions at Loudwater are open to others who may or may not have disabilities.

If you have time to commit on a regular basis and would relish the
opportunity to work alongside our service users please contact Wendy Morse [01584 877166] for further information.