The Hive Avon is a charity based in Kingswood that supports the learning disabled and/or autistic community in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and surrounding areas. Our daily drop-in, run by dedicated members of staff, offers a safe space for members of the LD and/or autistic community to socialise with friends and engage in a range of activities. As a charity, we depend on volunteers to run all of our services.
Volunteers at our Saturday sessions help 1-2 hours per week, either in the morning or the afternoon. The morning volunteers help to set up, choosing the boardgames for the day, filling the kettle for morning teas, etc. (afternoon volunteers help to tidy up after the session) then spend their time between helping serve drinks as needed and playing games with the service users. Through engagement, members are encouraged to build independence and social skills. Our volunteers play an important role in ensuring that all members feel included.
The skills and qualities we look for in volunteers are the ability to listen and communicate with a diverse group of people. The ability to be patient, enthusiastic, and non-judgemental. Many volunteers have no experience working with the learning disabled and/or autistic community when they start with us, and no experience is necessary. We provide initial induction training for all of our new volunteers, and provide ongoing training and support throughout their time with us. Staff are always present at our drop-in, and are available to answer any questions that volunteers may have. We have full liability insurance in place, and volunteers are able to claim travel expenses if needed.