Animals Helping People – Steering Group Members Required   

Animals Helping People – Steering Group Members Required   

Animals Helping People (2019-2021) aims to help more people with dementia, elderly and those with a learning disability to reconnect with the world around them and to reduce the feeling of social isolation.

The project is led and shaped by volunteers who have an understanding of Animal assisted therapies and the benefits there are directly to those involved and indirectly to others. The project is aimed at dementia and elderly as well as those who have been diagnosed with a learning disability who are facing social exclusion through incapacity.

Liaising with: Chair of Steering Committee  

Approximate hours: Approximately 4 hours per quarter (meetings will be quarterly)  

Purpose of a steering group member

The Steering Group will consist of project staff members and volunteers. Together, we will help shape the development of the project. This will include evaluating the success of the project, generating ideas for project development and supporting and promoting the project.  

Responsibilities of the steering group include:

• • Helping to Support, advise and steer the direction of Animals Helping People project work
• • Providing a forum for discussion of project-related items and its operation  
• • Helping the project to find more effective ways of providing the service
• • Providing a forum for discussing evaluation  
• • Advising on the planning and content of materials produced by the project  
• • Assisting the project to achieve a high profile within the local area and wider community.

Roles

Vice Chair

The Vice Chair will assist our recently recruited chairperson and serve as such in their absence.  They will be ensuring the steering group functions properly and that all relevant matters are discussed, decisions made, and actions carried out. Good leadership skills are essential as is a passion to make positive changes for people with dementia or learning disability.  

Secretary

The Secretary will ensure all steering groups meetings are recorded and reported.  They will assist with preparations for meetings including typing up and distributing agendas.  Experience in a similar role would be helpful. The Secretary will have excellent keyboard skills, be well organised and have an eye for detail.

Marketing and Public Relations Volunteer

Our Marketing and PR volunteer will seek out opportunities to raise awareness of our services whilst promoting sanctuary events. They will have experience of adding content to websites, social media, photography, videography and be able to generate new ideas to help us extend our reach.  

Events Volunteer

With our busy pipeline of forthcoming events, including information days, residential LinkUps, social meet ups and an annual volunteer awards ceremony, the Events Volunteer will help us deliver excellent events. They will have skills and experience of event management/facilitation.

General representatives of people affected by dementia or learning disability.

We also need general representatives who have an understanding of dementia, learning disability. This is not just those who have dementia or a learning disability themselves, but family members or friends of those directly affected. You will help us shape the programme drawing on your own experiences and suggestions for change.  

Skills and Experience

In addition to the specific skills and experience outlined under each role, all steering group members should:

• • Be passionate about supporting people who are facing social exclusion and isolation due to dementia, old age, or learning disability
• • Have the ability to work in a team and on their own initiative  
• • Have good organisational skills  
• • Have basic computer literacy, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Office  

If you are interested in any of the roles above, please apply in writing to Carol by email [email protected] before January 31st 2019