Volunteering - Keep this in sight…the future is bright

Original Editor - Mark Mitchell, David Murphy, Palmer Patterson, Brianna Reed, Mike Walsh as part of the QMU Current and Emerging Roles in Physiotherapy Practice Project

Top Contributors - Palmer Patterson, Mark Mitchell, David Murphy, Brianna Reed, Michael Walsh, Kim Jackson, Admin, 127.0.0.1, Tony Lowe, WikiSysop and Rucha Gadgil  

Introduction

This page is primarily intended to be a resource providing information on volunteering opportunities available both within the UK and abroad.  The opportunities highlighted consist of both physiotherapy specific settings, as well as opportunities in areas where transferable skills can be gained or utilised that are out with the typical physiotherapy practice areas.  The information provided on this page is intended to be utilised by students, both current and prospective, as well as qualified practitioners, looking to enhance knowledge, clinical skills and life experience.

Learning Outcomes

1. Define and explain the benefits of the Third Sector.
   
2. Discuss personal and professional motives for perusing volunteering opportunities.
3. Propose reflective strategies to enchance your volunteering experience.
4. Apply acquired knowledge to formulate a volunteering strategy.
5. Idenifty precautions and risks associated with volunteering in various settings.

Scotland's Third Sector 

Organisations can be divided into private, public, for profit and non-profit. Those organisations which are established as non-profit, and which are not part of the public sector, are referred to as being part of the Third Sector (Scottish Government 2012).

The Third Sector, sometimes referred to by the Government as the “civil society”, includes voluntary and community organisations, charities, mutuals and social enterprises (Dickinson et al. 2012).

Facts: (Scottish Government 2012)

• 45,000 voluntary organisations in Scotland
• Employs 137,000 people
• In 2010 the sector generated £4.4 billion for the Scottish economy
• In 2009 the sector were custodians of £9.2 billion worth of assets
• Public sector contracts and grants make up around 42% of the sector’s income, although three-in-five organisations receive no income from the public sector

Some of the current contributions to health care in Scotland involve:

1. Addressing health inequalities – regeneration of work and community development
2. Health behavioural interventions for drug abuse, mental health, healthy eating campaigns, physical activity initiatives and family support organisations
3. Community based care and support – the Third Sector is the largest sector providing this community based care
4. Funding for research - for example breast cancer and Multiple Sclerosis
   

Historically, the Third Sector played a large role in health care up until the state took over and formed the NHS in 1948. With advances in healthcare and longer life expectancies, the NHS budget is increasingly strained. Therefore, the government is looking for options of relieving this strain and is turning towards the Third Sector. It has been shown voluntary groups are capable of competing with private and public sectors which will essentially free up NHS staff and deliver better care in the public communities (Bubb 2011).

Introduction to Volunteering 

“Our vision is of a society in which social action and reciprocity are the norm and where volunteering is encouraged, promoted and supported because it has the power to enhance quality, reduce inequality or improve outcomes in health, public health and social care” The Department of Health

What is it that we mean by volunteering?

Volunteering can be defined as an unpaid activity conducted for the benefit of others, out-with family members (ref).

How do volunteers help?

• Improve patient experience within hospitals and other medical centres
• Building a closer relationship between services and communities
• Tackling health inequalities and promoting health in hard to reach groups
• Supporting integrated care for people with multiple needs
  

How many people volunteer?

The National Citizenship Survey provided an overall level of formal volunteering in England (Department of Communities and Local Government 2011). Approximately 3 million regular volunteers support the health sector as a whole with around 1.9 million working with the elderly. The 3 million volunteers across health and social care, is double that of NHS paid workforce in England.

Areas of volunteering in health and social care:

• Community Settings – social support, teaching and training, well-being activities in the community, coaching patients through lifestyle changes, fundraising.
• Acute Hospital Care – assisting with meal times, collecting patient feedback, clerical support
• Mental Health Care – Peer support, friendly schemes, sports groups
• Palliative Care – Bereavement counselling, emotional support for families, training others wishing to volunteer
• Home Care – Home visits to reduce feelings of isolation
• Care Homes – Activities to enhance well-being and provide entertainment
  

How can we incorporate Physiotherapy with volunteering?

As a physiotherapist, you are in high demand, especially in countries with a poor economic climate and health system. There are many charities and organisations that allow both qualified and student physiotherapists to partake in such life changing experiences.

Why should you volunteer?

Benefits of voluntary work:

• Builds character, fosters interpersonal trust, toleration and empathy for others (Wilson and Musick 2000)
• Volunteering can be regarded a form of social integration, which has long been suggested to improve personal well-being and may yield mental health benefits (Wilson and Musick 2000)
• Gain confidence, self-esteem, motivation and a sense of achievement (Wilson and Musick 2000) (Mary V. Merrill)
• For those who are unemployed and seeking work, it can be a stepping stone to paid employment (Wilson and Musick 2000)
• For those currently in a position of employment, it can advance a person’s chance of  moving forward and developing a career, it is a form of continuous professional development (Wilson and Musick 2000) (Humphreys and carpenter 2010)
• As students: gain knowledge, the ability to problem solve, confidence, communication skills and independence (Sawyer and Lopopolo 2004)
  

Why volunteer in Physiotherapy?
Voluntary work is an excellent means through which both prospective and current physiotherapy students may enhance their abilities and understanding pertaining to the practice of physiotherapy. Voluntary experience may also assist the prospective student in achieving the physiotherapy entry requirements: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/physiotherapist_entry_requirements.htm

• Developing your CV
• Gaining hands on experience
• Palmar’s and daves interview:
• Should we include a small amount on these things here?
  

Benefits for recipients:

• Education for patients and families (Humphrey and Carpenter 2010)
• Sharing essential skills and knowledge with members of the community can be beneficial long after the volunteering experience is over (Humphrey and Carpenter 2010)
• Quality of life improvement (Humphrey and Carpenter 2010)
• Improved patient satisfaction (Hotchkiss et al. 2009)
  

INTERVIEWS/ADDITIONAL INFO :-)

Volunteering in Physiotherapy

As a result of increasing numbers of requests from countries who do not have adequate physiotherapy support, physiotherapists are in high demand by volunteer recruitment agencies in third world countries for developing projects (Holloway 1988). Volunteers in these economically unstable countries can help train local staff and develop health services. In such countries, it is not only qualified physiotherapists that are sought after, students are also valuable volunteers.
Health care students are continually encouraged to reflect on learning experiences (Tiessen and Epprecht 2012); volunteering abroad may help to develop skills in critical reflection from learning opportunities and ethical dilemmas encountered (Tiessen and Epprecht 2012).

Volunteering in a developing country, whether it be for a few weeks, months or years, has many positive impacts. People have the opportunity to broaden their outlook and acquire a sense of personal identity, skills, confidence and knowledge. Volunteering in underdeveloped countries can also encourage individuals to become an active volunteer in their own community (Tiessen and Epprecht 2012).

The World Health Organisation (2002) states there are approximately 52 million individuals suffering from a form of disability residing in developing countries, indicating a large demand for physiotherapy in these nations (Humphreys and Carpenter 2010).

In developing countries, volunteers may assist in alleviating a number of problems such as lack of resources, poor infrastructure and a shortage of trained health care professionals (Coughlan et al. 2008). For instance, in Africa, where 11% of the world’s population is based, 24% of the world’s burden of disease is found; however, only 3% of the world’s health workers abide here, and less than 1% of the world’s health spending is in Africa (Coughlan et al. 2008). Such figures clearly demonstrate the requirement for volunteers in less developed health sectors.

In developing countries, volunteers will commonly encounter poorly resourced clinics and hospitals with high patient loads and underpaid staff(3). The lack of experience, resources and funds for treatment of these patients leads to advanced conditions that are rarely seen in the developed world(1,2,3,4,6). 

Practicing in wards which are poorly resourced can necessitate physiotherapist to resort to the basics of their training; i.e. practicing the diagnosis and treatment of conditions without the use of familiar physiotherapy equipment. These placements thus provide an excellent opportunity to the physiotherapy student and professional alike, to hone core skills through the differing challenges and contexts that such environments provide.

Participants of physiotherapy placement programmes claim the experiences to be rewarding (1,3). These placements enable students and professionals to actively help disabled children and adults lead lives that are as normal and pain-free as possible. The need for rehabilitation is vitally important and, whether or not you have experience, working as a physiotherapist, or looking to gain experience working alongside physiotherapists, your presence can be invaluable to the lives of many. Whether you are volunteering in polio or leprosy clinics in India, a centre for disabled children in Nepal, physiotherapy departments of large hospitals in Ghana or a burns unit in Bolivia, you will learn a great deal about the practice of physiotherapy; enhancing your own skills and the lives of others simultaneously (1).

“We have ethical responsibilities as global citizens, health professionals and physiotherapists – and if disability is a mediating factor to poverty and human development, then it is our moral imperative to mobilise” Landry et al. (2007)

 Volunteering in the UK 

 Volunteering Opportunities in Physiotherapy 

StreetSmart Physio [source: http://streetsmartphysio.org/about-us/]

A group of qualified physiotherapists who provide a volunteer service to homeless people in Edinburgh. StreetSmart Physio are always keen to recruit new graduates looking for clinical experience.  StreetSmart Physio has helped a number of newly qualified physiotherapists gain full-time or part-time employment due to the experiences gained while volunteering with the charity.  StreetSmart Physio also arrange study days when clinicians get together to share and up-date their knowledge and skills in common clinical problem areas. 

Requirements:
To volunteer with StreetSmart Physio you must be a UK registered physiotherapist andhave HCPC registration.

How to:
For further information email [email protected].
[source: http://streetsmartphysio.org/about-us/]

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Volunteer Scotland (VS)==== http://www.volunteerscotland.org.uk/Opportunity/List/all/physiotherapist
Info about
VS provide volunteers with the ability to search an up-to-date database of current volunteering opportunities throughout Scotland. VS’s aims include increasing the number and diversity of volunteers in Scotland and look to achieve this by understanding volunteers' needs, improving access to volunteering opportunities and delivering opportunites through a robust, evidence based approach.

Requirements
Anyone can access the VS resource but certain roles may require specific qualifications, checks or training.

How to
To access the information from VS visit their website at http://www.volunteerdevelopmentscotland.org.uk/about-us/

Sport Scotland http://www.sportscotland.org.uk/jobs/voluntary_posts/voluntary-posts/

Info: Sport Scotland provides opportunities for individuals to either get involved in or stay involved in sports.  Volunteers are needed to undertake challenging roles such as coaching and sport administration.  Associated with ‘Volunteer Scotland’

Requirements: Certain sport specific certifications or training are sometimes required for coaching, as well as an PVG check.

How to:  Check out and select opportunities of interest found on the webpage.

Project Scotland:  http://www.projectscotland.co.uk/

Info: offers 18 to 30 year-olds the chance to make a positive contribution to their community and their country through volunteering.  Project Scotland works with 300 Scottish charities and organizes 1000 plus volunteering opportunities yearly.

Requirements:  Must be age 18-30.  For specific requirements and training refer to the charities you wish to volunteer with.

How to:  Complete an online application form specifying your interests and skill and be matched with an appropriate organisation.

Crisis at Christmas: http://www.crisis.org.uk/pages/volunteer.html

Info: Volunteers at Crisis are needed to help the homeless during Christmas.  Many roles are available such as providing on-going one-to-one support for our homeless clients, to raising much needed funds, to being a trustee on our Board, to operating the Crisis centres over Christmas.

Requirements: You do not need any qualifications or experience to be a general volunteer, however Some service volunteers and activities volunteers are required to have specialist skills, qualifications and appropriate insurance before they can apply and, if so, volunteers must provide proof of these. Must 18 years of age, or 16/17 with accompaniment of a person 25 or older. 

How to: Complete the online application, and review the essential information.  For further details contact [email protected]

Out-with Physiotherapy

As a physiotherapist, there are also transferrable skills, relevant to practice, that can be gained from volunteering out-with a physiotherapy environment. The following are a number of opportunities and resources you may utilise to begin this process.

British Heart Foundation (hyperlink)

Info Requirements How to

MacMillan Support (hyperlink)

Info Requirements How to

NHS Lothian:

Info Volunteers can be involved in a number of different roles, including: information giving, health promotion, helping at clinics and events, fundraising, library, café and shop staffing, ward visitors, ward helpers, transport, chaplaincy, administrative support, research projects and therapeutic care.

Requirements Volunteering opportunities within NHS Lothian are available for both young and old, qualified and non-qualified.

How to NHS Lothian can provide a list of contacts to discuss relevant volunteering opportunities. http://www.nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk/WorkingWithUs/GetInvolved/Volunteering/Pages/default.aspx

Third Sector Internship Scotland (TSIS)

TSIS is a programme run for students and graduates in Scotland to gain working experience within the third sector. It aims to bridge the gap from university life to the working environment as well as further progress their techniques and abilities. The programme is a collaborative project between third level education and the third sector and is run by Queen Margaret University, the Open University Scotland and the Scottish council for Voluntary Organisations.

The five core areas of the TSIS include:

• Internship development
• Recognising achievement and promoting reflective practice
• Employer engagement and support
• Developing resources and relationships for sustainability
• Learning, evaluation and dissemination

Requirements:

Internships are available to all third level students, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

How to:

All internships run by the TSIS are offered to students who come through a vigorous and competitive recruitment process. Up to date job opportunities can be found on the TSIS website and details of the individual application processes/contact details: http://www.3rdsectorintern.com/about/

Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland (CHSS)

Info CHSS improves the quality of life for people in Scotland affected by chest, heart and stroke illness, through medical research, influencing public policy, advice and information and support in the community. CHSS state that volunteers are a vital part of the organisation and without their dedicated support none of their work would be possible.

Requirements CHSS volunteering opportunities are available for both young and old, qualified and non-qualified. For some volunteering roles it may be beneficial to have experience in health or social care.

How to The CHSS website provide the relevant information for potential volunteers: [source: http://www.chss.org.uk/supportus/volunteer-for-us/what-can-i-do/]

Volunteer Centre:

Info: The Volunteer Centre agencies strive to provide a database for all volunteering opportunities in each area of Scotland. The widespread databases include: • Volunteer centre east Lothian • Volunteer centre mid Lothian • Volunteer centre gateway west Lothian • Volunteer centre Fife • Volunteer centre borders • Volunteer centre Scotland These centres of information provide free assistance, support and direction to where and how you can get involved in volunteering, as well as how volunteering could lead you to paid work. Further to this, opportunities to develop skills and knowledge can also be gained through the many training sessions available on the volunteer centre webpages. Emphasising the achievements and commitment of their volunteers is a predominant feature of the Volunteering Centre as they strive to provide recognition of their volunteers by holding an annual awards ceremony termed the Saltire awardshttps://saltireawards.org.uk/. These are applicable to young adults aged 12 to 25 and provides the opportunity to earn incentives and prizes.

Requirements: The volunteer centres are for both young and old, ranging from young adults between the years of 12 years into the older adults. Individual organisation requirements are dependent on the current opportunities available and your particular area of interest. How to: Up to date job opportunities can be found on the specific volunteer centre databases and details of the individual application processes / contact details etc:

http://www.volunteermidlothian.org.uk/volunteering/

http://www.vcborders.org.uk/ http://www.volunteereastlothian.org.uk/ http://www.volunteeringfife.org/ http://www.voluntarysectorgateway.org/ http://www.volunteerscotland.org.uk/ - these will all be made into hyperlinks

Do-It (http://www.do-it.org.uk)

Info: A resource providing current opportunities across the UK pertaining to your specific area of interest. They provide volunteering opportunities for professionals, students as well as the general public.

Requirements: Open to volunteers of all ages. Individual organisation requirements are dependent on the current opportunities available and your particular area of interest.

How to: For more information, visit (http://www.do-it.org.uk)

Volunteering England - Website

http://www.volunteering.org.uk Info: An online resource committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering. Linking policy, research, innovation, good practice and programme management with the involvement of volunteers is a top priority. Requirements Open to volunteers of all ages. Individual organisation requirements are dependent on the current opportunities available and your particular area of interest. How to: For more information, please visit http://www.volunteering.org.uk

Community Service Volunteers (CSV)

http://www.csv.org.uk/volunteering/full-time/why-volunteer

Info: CSV provides volunteering opportunities ranging in age from students through to retirement. Offering a wide range of areas in which you may utilise your professional skills, enhance your knowledge in a new setting, and further develop your CV. Requirements: Open to volunteers of all ages. Individual organisation requirements are dependent on the current opportunities available and your particular area of interest. How to: You can get in touch by calling: 02076431427 For more information visit http://www.csv.org.uk/volunteering/full-time/why-volunteer

General Requirements: Most organizations require a recent PVG check (police check) and national insurance number (NIN) among other requirements (refer to specific organization for details).

Volunteering Abroad

Countries

Austrailia

Australia is a country comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. It is a well developed country, ranking highly in international comparisons of national performance, such as quality of life, health, education, and economic freedom (ref - wiki).

What opportunities exist?

There are endless volunteering opportunities available across Australia, from animal welfare to teaching English, whichever you choose depends entirely on what you are looking to achieve from your experience. There are many organisations and resources at your disposal. There is something for everyone no matter what your interests are!

Seek Volunteer

A free online resource and service providing an extensive list of volunteering organisations and opportunities across Australia. They strive to improve efficiency of recruitment of volunteers for non-profit organisations and seek to provide you with an optimal experience to suit your needs. How to: (http://volunteer.com.au)

Go Volunteer 

A free online service providing students and professionals the opportunity to participate in various areas such as events, environmental conservation and during an emergency or crisis. Volunteers are encouraged to create their own online profile to help keep record of volunteering experience, as well as to keep track of opportunities and organisations which fit their interests. You may also send your volunteer profile on to organisations when you wish to apply for a job or other voluntary experience. How to: (http://govolunteer.com.au)

Volunteering Australia

An online resource providing useful and important information when it comes to volunteering. They provide access to volunteer resource centres throughout each state and territory in Australia. How to: (http://volunteeringaustralia.org/volunteering-resources/volunteers/) Real Gap Experience Offers various opportunities including adventure tours and volunteering at koala sanctuaries. How to: (http://www.realgap.co.uk/australia?page=1) Travellers Worldwide This resource provides a variety of volunteering opportunities from wildlife conservation to teaching sports. How to: (http://www.travellersworldwide.com/18-australia/australia-about.htm)

Requirements:

You may require a tourism visa to gain entry to the country. Under your tourist visa you may be able to work as a volunteer if: - Your main purpose in visiting Australia is tourism, and any voluntary work remains incidental to this. - The work involved would not otherwise be undertaken, in return for wages, by an Australian resident. - The work is genuinely voluntary and that no remuneration is received in return for the activities.

Note:

It is acceptable, under the conditions of the Tourist visa, to receive meals, accommodation and/or reimbursement of out-of-pocket living expenses in return for voluntary work.

Australian Government Information on visas: http://www.immi.gov.au/Pages/Welcome.aspx Depending on the volunteering opportunity you choose, you may be required to pay for expenses. Many volunteering sites will provide you with accommodation and meals while you are with them, however, they do not often cover travel expenses. Specific immunisations are not required to travel to Australia, however, you are encouraged to have your routine vaccines up to date. For more information, visit: (http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/australasia--pacific/australia.aspx)

Bolivia

Projects Abroad
• Volunteer at various centres across Bolivia for children with special needs, help children through a variety of sessions including physiotherapy and hydrotherapy
• Volunteer at the burns unit of a local hospital, physiotherapists are involved in social integration, functional rehabilitation, and sensorial recovery of the patients, age ranging from new-borns to children of fifteen years of age
• Volunteer at local orphanages with children requiring physiotherapy, working on a one-to-one basis with each child providing them with valuable physiotherapy support and also concentrated attention which will enable them to thrive

Requirements
Physiotherapists volunteering on projects in Bolivia are required to be aged 18 or older. An intermediate level of Spanish is required in order to communicate directly with the majority of local staff and patients.  Volunteers who lack confidence in their Spanish language ability are encouraged to take a Spanish Language course or to join a teaching or care project. This gives the volunteer an opportunity to improve their language skills before starting a physiotherapy specific project.

How To
Projects Abroad offer volunteering programmes in physiotherapy in Bolivia with costs ranging from £1,495 (4 weeks) to £2,695 (12 weeks) with as many additional weeks as the volunteer desires costing £150.
Citizens of most South American and Western European countries may attain a tourist card on entry for stays of up to 90 days, depending on their nationality. However, this is subject to change; the citizen’s relevant consulate should be consulted prior to entry. If a longer stay is required an extension to a tourist card is necessary and is easily accomplished at the immigration office in any major city. The maximum time travellers are permitted to stay in the country is 180 days in one year. Alternatively, you may apply for a visa. Visas are issued by Bolivian consular representatives, including those in neighbouring South American countries. Costs vary according to the consulate and the nationality of the applicant.
Living arrangements during a Projects Abroad programme in Bolivia involves living with one of the programme’s host families and therefore allows the volunteer to have an authentic Bolivian living experience. There are many other volunteers to meet and opportunities to explore the surrounding countryside. Projects Abroad have an office run by an experienced “Country Director” in Bolivia. Staff at the office can be contacted 24 hours a day and are responsible for volunteers general well-being and liaise with UK staff.

Cautions
The UK Government advices you to have comprehensive travel and medical insurance prior to travel. Projects Abroad provide a comprehensive travel and medical insurance automatically; volunteers are covered no matter where you are from or where you are going. This policy can be extended on request to cover other travel you may be doing.  It is important that the policy is carefully read, especially regarding pre-existing medical conditions, to check that the cover meets your needs.
Social conflict is common in Bolivia and blockades may occur along the main roads. Public transport can be disrupted at very short notice and strikes may result in widespread road blockades, including on roads to and from airports. It is advised to never try to cross a blockade. There is a risk of ‘express kidnappings’. It is advised that care is taken when travelling around Bolivia, particularly on arrival. Use a registered taxi company.
It is advised to carry a photocopy of your passport, including the personal details, entry stamp and disembarkation card with you at all times in case it is requested by immigration officials or the police.
Parts of Bolivia, including La Paz are at high altitude which can cause altitude sickness.

Testimonials (Hydrotherapy video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqCyBPZKuIM)
"From my experiences I learnt how to treat patients with burns, make and fit splints, do exercises for burns, hydrotherapy, work with children, and the use and fitting of pressure suits. It was such a great experience and if this is your placement I have no doubt that you will love it too. I will truly miss working there, all the great people I met and of course all those children!"
Siobhan Ni Cheidigh
Physiotherapy in Bolivia

Refs
(http://www.projects-abroad.co.uk/volunteer-projects/medicine-and-healthcare/physiotherapy/bolivia/) – hyperlink to physio bolivia
(https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/bolivia)
(http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bolivia/practical-information/visas)

Volunteering opportunities out-with physiotherapy - Bolivia

There are a number of options to volunteer in Bolivia out-with the scope of physiotherapy. Government sponsored organisations, or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Peace Corps, offer longer term programs (usually lasting two years) for which volunteers receive an allowance, departure briefings and ongoing organisational support. There are also church affiliated or religious organisations which offer short-term opportunities, often on a group basis. Smaller volunteer organisations (often profit-based) offer independent travellers the opportunity to work in community projects; these usually have a two or four week minimum for which you pay and cover a language immersion course, a local home stay and administrative costs. Some popular volunteer options in Bolivia include:
- Animales S.O.S (www.animalessos.org) is an animal welfare group caring for mistreated or abused stray animals.
- Parque Machía (www.intiwarayassi.org) is a volunteer-run wild animal refuge; minimum commitment is 15 days and no previous experience working with animals is required.

- Volunteer Bolivia (www.volunteerbolivia.org) arranges short and long term volunteer work, study and home stay programs throughout Bolivia. (source: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/bolivia/work-study-volunteering/work)

References

References will automatically be added here, see adding references tutorial.

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