Darlington Association on Disability

Volunteer Travel Buddy

Support disabled people to travel confidently and independently across Darlington. As a Travel Buddy, you’ll accompany someone on real journeys and help them build the skills to travel on their own.

What you’ll do

• Help people get familiar with transport they’ll use
• Plan journeys together and build route‑finding skills
• Encourage confidence through patient, person‑centred support
• Accompany short journeys, stepping back as independence grows
• Communicate clearly and maintain confidentiality
• Report concerns to the project coordinator

Location:  Independent Living Hub, West Crescent, DL3 7PS, and routes around the Darlington area.

Time commitment:  Flexible — agreed in advance based on your availability.

How to register:  Email volunteers@darlingtondisability.org to request a registration form.

 

Place Partnership Volunteer

Support people with learning disabilities and autistic people to access physical activity across Darlington. As a Place Partnership Volunteer, you’ll help participants try taster sessions, plan their journeys, and feel confident attending their chosen activities.

What you’ll do

• Support participation in taster sessions at the Independent Living Hub
• Encourage involvement by joining in, demonstrating and offering reassurance
• Help plan journeys to and from activities
• Assist with booking and registering for chosen sessions
• Attend first sessions to build confidence
• Maintain confidentiality and follow staff guidance
• Report concerns to the project coordinator 

Location:  Independent Living Hub, West Crescent, DL3 7PS, plus community venues across Darlington.

Time commitment: Flexible — agreed in advance based on activities and your availability.

How to register

Email volunteers@darlingtondisability.org to request a registration form.

 

Volunteering for Health Champion

Represent DAD in the community and help promote the Volunteering for Health project. As a Health Champion, you’ll raise awareness of how volunteering supports wellbeing, connect with local groups and residents, and help people explore volunteering in the local area.

What you’ll do

• Share information about volunteering and wellbeing at community events and outreach sessions
• Engage with the public in a friendly, approachable way
• Complete questionnaires and gather feedback
• Distribute resources such as leaflets and digital materials
• Represent DAD’s values and promote inclusivity and accessibility
• Assist project staff with tasks as needed

Location:  Community venues, events, and outreach settings across Darlington.

Time commitment:  Flexible — even a couple of hours a month makes a difference.

How to register:  Email volunteers@darlingtondisability.org to request a registration form.

 

DASH Volunteers

DASH provides a free play structure, but some structured activities are also provided, including indoor and outdoor play sessions, workshops, trips to the seaside, soft play, swimming and bowling.

• Do you have spare time in the holidays? Do you have a sense of fun?
• Would you like to gain experience working with children and young people? Are you aged 16 or over?

If the answer is yes you may be ideal to join a team of volunteers on DAD DASH playscheme.

Previous experience is not needed as training is provided.

For more details or an information pack: Phone: 01325 489999 (option 3) Email: volunteers@darlingtondisability. org

                                                         

Why does DAD involve volunteers?

Volunteers from all backgrounds add value to our work with disabled people. They make a huge contribution through their diverse experience and skills. In addition by actively recruiting and involving disabled people as volunteers we make sure that DAD remains user-led.

Your role
Before you start volunteering we will agree with you what your role will be. This will be written down and given to you. It will-

• explain who will supervise you
• where you will be working
• what you will normally be doing
• What support is available to you to carry out your role? 
• Before volunteering with DAD you will need to undergo some pre-appointment checks i.e. application form, references and a Disclosure and Barring Service Check (formally known as Criminal Records Bureau). To complete the DBS check you will need to produce identification, please call us so that we can tell you what you need.

To apply for a vacancy please email our Volunteer Support Worker Margaret Langan, volunteers@darlingtondisability.org or phone on 01325 489999.