Volunteer Buddy Programme 2010

About Us

The Back-Up Trust is a national charity that supports people with spinal cord injury (SCI). We run a variety of services that encourage self-confidence, independence and motivation following a traumatic life changing accident.  The suicide rate for people with SCI is five times higher than the national average.

 

 

‘What Back-Up offers is beyond your wildest imagination when you are lying in a hospital having been told you will never walk again.’  Andy (31) cause of injury – climbing

 

How we support people with spinal cord injury – rehabilitation courses and services

To achieve this Back-Up run rehabilitative courses that act as a catalyst for change, enabling both spinally injured and able bodied participants to learn just how much really is possible. Returning to employment or education doesn’t appear quite so daunting once you have sailed across a lake single-handed or skied independently down a slope in the wilderness of the Colorado Mountains.

 

The Back-Up Trust Volunteer Buddy Programme 2010

Every Back-Up rehabilitative course includes able bodied participants who act as “buddies”.  Through the Back-Up Volunteer scheme volunteers have the opportunity to join a weekend or week’s residential Back Up course as one of those buddies. The role of the buddy is to:

  • Provide motivation and support: activities may seem very daunting to someone who is newly injured, buddies are on hand to help overcome fears
  • Give a hand as and when it’s required: from loading a wheelchair into a mini bus to helping someone transfer into a canoe

 

Locations: summer courses run across the UK, winter course run in UK, Sweden, USA and France.

Summer activities include: canoeing, hiking, sailing, camping, abseiling, city challenge etc.

Winter activities include: skiing, scuba diving and drama

Donations – we do request a donation toward the cost of the course – we can support you in fundraising.

Donations for summer courses range between                          £145 and £450

Donations for winter courses range between                             £395 and £999

 

Feedback from buddies: -

Emily, Student Physiotherapist

“The communication skills and interpersonal skills that I used during the course have really helped with my degree course, I would love to do it again, it was amazing for me to see the guys flying off the ski jumps.”

David, Manager

“I expected to be surprised, and to push myself, and I certainly did both. I achieved far more from the course than I thought I would.”

 

Heather, Supermarket worker

“My experience was not about just getting to know people but getting to understand them.”

Buddy (25), Operations Manager

“I went on the first course as a buddy expecting to help others, but it also inspired me to improve the quality of my own life when I got back."

 

What’s required from you?

 

You’re NOT required to provide medical or personal care (our nurses & carers do that) but you will need to be relatively fit and active, have a sense of humour and a ‘can do’ attitude. Your problem solving, communication and team work skills will be put to great use! You too will be able to take part in ALL activities (or watch if you prefer); you don’t have to be ultra sporty or love the outdoors. We run a range of courses that suit young & old & all interests.

 

What’s in it for you?

 

  • Increased ability to interact with diverse groups of people

  • Volunteering for the courses looks great on your CV, particularly if you are interested in a career in health / social care or sports

  • Experience new challenges in a relaxed and friendly environment

 

Programme Details 2010: -

The Back-Up Trust will be running a programme of both winter and summer courses from January to September 2010 and beyond.  RECRUITING NOW FOR WINTER COURSES - call now for more details or click here to download an application form.

Ally Ward, Course Coordinator 020 8875 6729 or