Wigan Children’s Fund recruits and trains volunteers and volunteer drivers to work with children and young people across the whole borough. Volunteers are required to attend a training course lasting 9 weeks (2.5 hours per week, afternoon and evening sessions available), which includes Health & Safety, Safeguarding Children, Child Abuse, Equality and Diversity and Direct Work. Additional training is available, including First Aid, Basic Food Hygiene, Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol Awareness, ADHD Awareness and Playwork. Volunteers are also given the opportunity to access NVQ training. Once equipped with the necessary skills, volunteers will be matched with a service of their preference. These include:
- Young Carers
- Complex Needs
- Permanence and Adoption
- Children’s Centres
- Family Support Team
- Extended Schools
- Junior Rafiki and Junior Motswako Group
- PaNDa (Post and Ante Natal Support Group)
- Youth Offending Team
Recruitment takes place twice per year, in March and September. The recruitment process involves a short, formal interview followed by a 9 week training programme (2.5 hours per week, afternoon and evening sessions available). Two references and enhanced CRB disclosure will be applied for during the course of the 9 week programme. At the end of the training programme, volunteers are matched with services or individual referrals.
