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Able-bodied members play a vital role in the PHAB FREEWHEELERS. As well as providing the physical empowerment to the disabled members to enable them to fully participate in the club, they also give their time, energy, enthusiasm and interest.

The FREEWHEELERS is one of very few groups within Staffordshire which caters for young physically disabled adults. To ensure that people can keep coming to the club and have a safe, caring, active, environment in which to share fun and friendship, the group needs to have a good number of able bodied people who will turn up to the gatherings. These volunteers need to assist the members with disabilities to participate in the activities and make the meetings a really special time for everyone.

The PHAB FREEWHEELERS would like to enrol more able-bodied people so that the activities can be increased. Also, unless a reasonable number of volunteers can be relied upon to be present at the club, it cannot care properly for the needs of the members with disabilities, or quickly respond in the event of an emergency.

Without a strong team of able bodied members our people with disabilities do not get the attention and support they require. What we need is active, caring, individuals who are willing to give that special effort in making the time spent at the club a really happy experience for all.

	The diversity of happenings going on at the club means there is always something to get involved with. These might be: playing games, fetching tea and coffee, taking someone to the toilet, talking with one member or with a group, serving refreshments, assisting disabled people with putting coats off and on and getting into the minibuses, or helping in tidying the room and packing away the equipment. There is something for everyone to help with.
Without new volunteers bringing their fresh ideas and initiative, the FREEWHEELERS would quickly become stale and boring, so the more able bodied members we have then a bigger variety of activities can be organised. These can include theatre or cinema visits, day outings, discos, drama sessions, sports events and so on

We ensure our volunteers feel valued and that they find the time they spend with us is both rewarding and enjoyable.

We are always there to support and guide new volunteers and as well as training sessions, we also give volunteers a ‘What You Need to Know’ information booklet which is crammed full of helpful hints on being a good volunteer.

WHAT VOLUNTEERS CAN GET INVOLVED WITH:

Befriending people and helping them to make other friends.
Socialising and getting to know people.
Organising and taking part in games, activities, etc.
Encouraging everyone to get involved in the activities.
Fetching and serving tea and coffee.
Assisting members to put on and take off coats.
Escorting members to and from the minibuses and their cars.
Help in setting up the club room and putting away games equipment, etc.
Participating in group activities.
Helping disabled people on a one-to-one basis.
Helping out on quiz nights, art, craft and party evenings.
Escorting on group outings to the theatre, cinema, pubs and bowling.
Helping members write for our newsletter.
And most important of all, helping everyone to have a good time.

Volunteers are valued individuals and the time they spend at the club is both rewarding and enjoyable. The freewheelers would like to enrol more able bodied people so that the activities can be increased. If you have a little time to spare on Thursday evenings and enjoy having a good time, do please come along for a look around. You would find it fun and you can be assured of a warm welcome and a pleasant evening.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED