Evac helper

We are looking for a few volunteers who could help out with various tasks at the Centre. Your chief role would be to help a wheelchair user enter our oxygen chamber and then to egress our oxygen chamber on a weekly basis. You would be responsible for evacuating them in the event of any emergency.  We would like to increase levels of safety by knowing that at certain times of particular busy days we have a person dedicated to buddying up with a member to help them reach safety should the need arise. Full training would of course be given and it is likely you will develop a lovely relationship with the person (member) requiring the service.

Other jobs during a shift would include helping those to refreshments and/ or lunch who are unable to help themselves.

Benefits

• Opportunity to work and be a part of the MS Centre and gain social interaction (of which there is a lot, being a very friendly centre!) strengthening your ties to the local community.
  
• A chance to give back and feel you are able to really make a difference to the lives of those with MS within the Sussex region.
• Volunteering and helping others can reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose improving mental health generally.

Practical Considerations

You would need to be able to commit to certain times of the week (to be discussed) apart from your holiday time (to be be given with some notice).

Travelling by car

Having travelled down the Old Shoreham Road (A270) or the coast Road (A259) and reached Southwick, there is a sign to the MS Centre on the corner of Croft Avenue just off Southwick Road. Drive along Croft Avenue and at the end turn left into the park (Southwick Recreation Ground).  Follow the road, turning right past the bowls club and keep going to the carpark at the very end on your left and you will see the centre.

 Travelling by bus

There are a number of buses that stop near the Centre including the 60, 46 and 700.  For real time information on buses stopping near the Centre visit https://www.buses.co.uk/plan-your-journey to look at Brighton and Hove Buses. The 700 bus is operated by Stagecoach and covers the Brighton-Worthing-Littlehampton area. Once you have arrived you need to make your way to Croft Avenue.  There is a sign to the MS Centre on the corner of the avenue, just off Southwick Road. Go to the end of Croft Avenue and turn left into the park (Southwick Recreation Ground).  Follow the road, turning right past the bowls club and keep going to the car-park at the very end on your left and you will see the centre.

Travelling by rail

We are a 7 minute walk from Southwick rail station. You can check the times of trains on the Southern Railway website. Once you have arrived you need to turn left out of the station to make your way to Croft Avenue.  There is a sign to the MS Centre on the corner of the avenue, just off Southwick Road. Go to the end of Croft Avenue and a turn left into the park (Southwick Recreation Ground).  Follow the road, turning right past the bowls club and keep going to the car-park at the very end on your left and you will see the centre.

Taxis

Brighton and Hove Council provide information on wheelchair accessible taxis in their area. For information on wheelchair accessible transport (taxis, Dial-a-Ride etc) in the Adur area please visit the Adur and Worthing Councils website.

Support Disabled

Our building is fully accessible. We do however need someone who is able to move around with speed and dexterity to fulfil this role.

What skills do I need?

We would be looking for people who are friendly, reliable, practical confident, able to care for others and can remain calm in an emergency. If you are a people person, its likely that this role could be for you!

We do not need you to be able to commit to all of the time slots shown, just one of them per volunteer!

Our key need just now is Wednesdays 2.45pm - 4.15pm and Thursdays 10.15 - 11.45am