The 12 fabulous volunteers!

Click on the pictures to read their interview.

Wendy and Eric	Karen	Simon	Tanya White
Peter	Hannah F	Hannah W	Diane
Sarah	Thomas	Stephen	Michael

Some of our opportunities around our charity:

(Click on the headings for ways to enquire)

Event Squad

This involves being part of a team who can be called upon to man Diverse Abilities stands at Local Events, including festivals, carnivals, fetes and shows.  This is a fun, social role which involves meeting new people and interacting with the general public. You could take your kids along and make it a family affair, or maybe you are a student who would like to man a stand with your friends at the weekend, either way, we’d love you to join us! Besides which, it gives you  free entry to some great shows...

Event or Club Researcher

This role suits people who are good investigators! It involves helping the team find out about who’s who in the local clubs and societies in the area and raising our profile by contacting them to arrange talks and presentations at one of their regular gatherings.  Alternatively if you’re the sort of person who always reads the local paper and knows what’s on at the weekend, then you could keep help us identify where our Event Squad should be and even help us apply for grants and stands at local shows.

Charity Ambassador

If you can capture an audience or just want to gain some experience and confidence in public-speaking by assisting in a presentation then this is right up your street! We’d love you to give a presentation to your local Church, School or Rotary Club on our behalf to help raise the profile of Diverse Abilities Plus. Full training would be provided.

Auction/raffle prize sourcing

We have an exciting calendar of events each year, many of which involve auctions and raffles to raise funds for Diverse Abilities Plus. We therefore need to source a whole range of prizes for these events, from small children’s gifts to Health Spa Vouchers and Celebrity signed T’shirts! We always need people to use their powers of creativity and tenacity to help us contact local businesses through visits, mail-shots and phone-calls to source these gifts, so if you think you or a group of you could help, then please get in touch. 

‘Friends Of Diverse Abilities Plus’ fund-raising groups

A great way to meet new people, have some fun and let those creative juices flow.... If you want to try out some fundraising ideas, why not join a team of like-minded people to set up your own fund-raising group ? We would of course give you support, ideas and advice but you get to choose the events ! For example,  if you like running, you could arrange your own sponsored event, if you like singing you could set up a Singathon or if cooking is your thing perhaps a ‘Come Dine With Me’ evening ? The list is endless.... Not only do you get to meet new people, raise money to help improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities but it’s great fun!

Collection Pot Squad

Want to help us raise awareness and understanding of what having a disability is like? By helping us distribute collection pots across Dorset, this not only helps us to raise funds but also to raise the profile of Diverse Abilities Plus in the local community.  Some people choose to just drop a couple of Collection Pots at the local corner shop or pub where they live. If you have more time you could hone your organisational and communication skills to manage a team of distributers in given post-code areas. If you are interested, just let us know.

Office Work

If you’d prefer to work in an office environment, then we have tasks to suit all tastes! Either working in our offices or in the comfort of your own home, depending on skills and time commitment, you could help with  mail-shots, stock-taking, data-inputting, calling/mailing to thank donors, designing posters, formatting spreadsheets, updating the database....the list really is endless! One thing is for sure though – you may be inside, but there is never a dull moment. You tell us what you want to do and how much time you have and we fit around you - not the other way around.

Barnabas

Barnabas is a well-equipped day opportunities setting in Poole where adults can make new friends and acquire new skills and experiences.  If you’d like to come along and assist in some of the day activities or if you’d prefer to help in the office, then we’d love to hear from you.

Supported Living

Supported Living enables people with physical and learning difficulties, often profound, to live independently in their own homes. As most of the people we support need 24 hour care, if you can an hour or two to help out with activities or outings then please do get in touch.  The bungalows are often in need of updating and decorating as are the gardens which can be very neglected. If you have a spade, a paintbrush and a couple of hours to spare, then please do let us know.

Project My Time

This Service from Diverse Abilities Plus provides fun holiday activities giving children with severe disabilities the same leisure and fun opportunities as their peers can enjoy. It’s great fun and you don’t need any experience – just some energy and a sense of humour!

Langside School and Children’s Services

Langside is an independent non-maintained specialist day school for children and young people. It provides holistic education which really focuses on helping the children to achieve their full potential.  Smithers offers an overnight ‘sleepover’ stay and day home-from-home for children. Short breaks help parents cope with the challenges of providing full time care at home. Shapes offers parents help in their own home at times when it is most needed so that they can get out to do the shopping, take siblings to school or even just to take a much needed break. If you are interested in getting involved with any of these children’s services in any way, please do get in touch!

Coping with Chaos/Disability Wessex

Coping with CHAOS provides play opportunities and a youth club from bases in West Moors and Weymouth for children and teenagers with physical disabilities and Autistic Spectrum disorders, plus a valuable family befriending scheme. Disability Wessex is an advice and advocacy service for people with disabilities who are facing difficulties or inequalities. Let us know if you would like to get involved!