A Deaf volunteer's experience of volunteering at the Playscheme
I started volunteering for the Greenwich Deaf
Playscheme in Summer 2005. I have been volunteering
since then and will continue to do so for the future.
I am passionate for more challenges with Deaf
children/youth and hearing children of Deaf parents.
I feel there is a lot Deaf children/youth and hearing
children of Deaf parents that I need to learn from and
also they need to learn from me. I have gained more
understanding of how to work with different people,
how their minds work and respond to them using
different methods. Each child is different and
responds differently using the same method. I feel
part of me working at the Greenwich Deaf Playscheme is
to be a positive Deaf role model to the children/youth
to show that that I may be Deaf but I am able to
understand what is happening around me, able to learn
from things and know that the decisions I make in life
affect me and other people.
The playscheme is a benefit to the Deaf children/youth
and hearing children of Deaf parents. The reasons are
that there is no playscheme for them that meets their
communication needs, opportunity for them to build up
their confidence and social skills with other deaf
children/youth and hearing children of Deaf parents
who are like them, the activities that are on offer to
them at an affordable price, and an opportunity to
Deaf children/youth to meet Deaf Adults and also for
the parents to ask staff on what is best for their
child.
The Greenwich Deaf Playscheme gives me opportunities
to learn something that I would not get anywhere else.
I am grateful for the opportunities that have been
given to me.
A Hearing volunteer's experience of volunteering at the Playscheme
I was asked by Jessica, if I might like to volunteer at the playscheme (just
for a couple of days - to try it out), when it first started. As my previous
job was in a Play Centre, I thought I might give it a go.
But from the first day, it was nothing like I had been used to. All the
activities were meticulously planned for the whole Summer holiday, and each
day was different from the others. In my opinion, this playscheme has
maintained a high standard of creative activities, and given all the young
people that come, a place where they can be safe, make lots of friends and
be themselves.
To me, it is an exciting and vibrant playscheme, where the children's ideas
always come first. It has an enthusiasm that I feel proud to still be part
of, nearly two years on. I love it & hope that the funding keeps coming in,
to carry on such a super-dooper place for children to escape to.
Interested in volunteering at the Greenwich Deaf Playscheme?
1. Are you deaf or a hearing person who has BSL
Level 2?
2. Are you available to help out at the playscheme
during the school holidays?
3. Do you have a cleared CRB? (If not then we can
process one for you).
Benefits are:
1. Gain knowledge and experience in working with
deaf children and also hearing children of deaf
parents
2. Travel/food/trips/expenses paid for
3. Excellent fun and will get opportunity to try new
things and go to theme parks, ice skating and other
fun activities.
