Young Carer Group Facilitator: Volunteer
Volunteer Position Description
Young Carer Group Facilitator
Location: NSW and QLD
Commitment: Minimum of two months once placed
ABOUT LITTLE DREAMERS
Little Dreamers is working to improve the quality of life for Young Carers across the country. A Young Carer is someone under the age of 25 that is in a family affected by disability, illness, mental health or addiction.
We are Australia’s leading Young Carer organisation, supporting young people between the ages of 4 – 25 years. Over the past ten years, we’ve granted over 200 Dream Experiences, run a Big Dreamers Personal Development Program (PD Program), facilitated school holiday programs, and significantly improved the quality of life for thousands of Young Carers and their families. Our vision is to ensure that every single Young Carer around the world is supported by someone or something by 2030.
ABOUT THE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM
Little Dreamers is in the second year of delivering a new In-Person Peer Support Program across Queensland and New South Wales regions of South West Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains. This is all part of the new Carer Gateway Services, bringing carers a new and exciting support model. The In-Person Peer Support Program will create a safe space for Young Carers to meet – sharing stories and lived experience to build connections and support networks between one another.
Being a young person in a caring role isn’t easy, while Young Carers often learn compassion, intelligence and maturity, the extra strain of family life can quite often lead to feelings of social isolation. The new program aims to increase social connection between young people in similar circumstances, providing them with support while also decreasing the strain of their caring role.
Each session will be facilitated by a Little Dreamers staff member and one or two amazing volunteers – which is where you come in!
We’re seeking passionate, caring and energetic volunteers to help run these one hour sessions, acting as a group mentor to provide support, guidance and assist in facilitation.
Your Role
The In-Person Peer Support sessions will run for one hour on a weekly basis between 4pm and 7pm and explore the following themes:
- Connection
- Finding Community
- Making Meaning of Now
- Finding Purpose
The sessions will be held at the same location over the course of eight weeks and as a volunteer, we require full commitment to each session this time.
Temporary Changes to Peer Support Group Delivery Format
In accordance with advice from health authorities to protect the health and safety of our participants, our staff and the community we are taking measures to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19. Given the restrictions placed on non-essential and face-to-face services, Little Dreamers is currently delivering In-Person Peer Support groups online.
Little Dreamers will continue to monitor and review the situation and groups will be run online until further notice. Online groups will be facilitated using web-conferencing software Zoom and Online groups will have between 4 – 8 participants.
Time Commitments
- Weekly commitment of 2-3 hours (between 4pm-7pm)
- Two month commitment once placed
- Please note, if you are working full time, many workplaces will offer volunteering leave with enough notice
Role Requirements
The following are required to be successful in this role:
- Be available to undergo a face to face or Skype interview with a Little Dreamers team member during business hours (8am-6pm)
- Attend a Little Dreamers Induction day and training during the month of March
- Obtain a working with Children Check
- Complete a National Police Check
- Demonstrate a commitment to seeking guidance when ethical dilemmas arise
- Maintain regular contact with Little Dreamers team and regular check ins after each In Person Peer Support session
- Have your own transport
Key Selection Criteria
Who are we looking for?
- Fun, energetic and caring individuals!
- Desire to make a difference: Volunteers should care about making an impact to the lives of Young Carers.
- Committed: We are looking for reliable and committed volunteers!
- Excellent communication skills: Should be friendly and able to engage with a young person in a non-judgmental and appropriate manner.
- Strong ethics: Volunteers should have an appreciation of ethical issues and can be entrusted to behave appropriately around vulnerable people and seek guidance when unsure.
Application Process
If you have any questions about this role, please email olivia@littledreamers.org.au.
To apply, please complete the form below and we will be in touch with you to discuss your application and the next steps.
Classification
This is a volunteer position.
