Please see below for our current vacancies. If you are interested in any of the roles and would like to have an informal chat then please contact the office on 0208 605 0060 or email kab@kingstonassociationforblind.org
Be our new Chair or Trustee in 2023
Information Technology Volunteer
Be our new Chair or Trustee in 2023
About the organisation
Did you know that almost a million people in the UK today have a visual impairment? That means someone you know – friends, family, colleagues or even yourself – is almost certainly experiencing sight loss.
Our vision is for all people living with sight loss in the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames to lead independent and fulfilled lives.
Since 1966 KAB has operated within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames offering a range of services and support for visually impaired people. We fulfil our vision through a range of social and sports activities, a befriending scheme, and campaigning on behalf of visually impaired people.
We deliver up to 250 activities every year, and support the weekly Kingston Talking Newspaper, as well as two local groups: Coombe & New Malden Blind Club, and Surbiton Blind Club.
Looking ahead
We are looking to recruit a chair and new trustees to ensure KAB remains sustainable, relevant and effective in a rapidly changing landscape of economic, societal and technological change, so that we can continue to serve, and be the voice of, local people with sight loss.
For the trustee roles we are particularly keen to hear from people whose specialisms are Equality and Diversity, Finance, Legal, IT, Digital Communications and HR. We’re also keen to reach out to younger people who could be trustees or people working with this section of our community.
If you are interested please send your CV and a completed equal opportunities form to ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org. We will assess and interview prospective candidate on a rolling basis.
If you would like to have an informal chat about the roles of Chair and Trustees then contact the CEO Antony Bewick-Smith on 07985 283079 or email ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Downloads
Chair Role Description
Information Technology Volunteer
We are looking for an Information Technology Volunteer to assist successfully in technology support to our visually impaired and blind members.
The Information Technology Volunteer tasks include:
· Provide support with any tech issues to service users this may include home visits or over the phone.
· Support with the implementation and use of assistive technologies to meet service users accessibility needs.
· Troubleshooting.
· Ensure security and privacy of networks and computer systems.
The following qualities and skills are desirable but not essential:
· Good networking and communication skills: phone, face to face, email
· IT skills/knowledge to enable support to service users.
· Computer access remotely.
· Knowledge of assistive technology e.g., Voice Recognition software.
· Good problem-solving skills.
· Marketing/promotional experience.
· Previous volunteering experience or work with disabled or older people.
· Good knowledge of internet security and data privacy.
What difference will you make?
Many blind and partially sighted, disabled people and older people struggle to get the most from technology and need encouragement from a trustworthy helpful person to offer independent advice and day to day tech support.
Computers can help gain independence, prevent isolation and keep people connected with family, friends, shopping and so much more. When something goes wrong with their technology suddenly all this is taken away, and you can help to give it back.
We would welcome input varying from as little as 3-4 hours per week.
Eye Buddy Volunteer
Eye Buddy and Telephone Befriending Volunteers - Kingston Association for the Blind (KAB)
We are looking for Eye Buddy and Telephone Befriending Volunteers over the age of 18, who are committed to visit or telephone a client once a week, sometimes once a fortnight, on a regular basis.
Volunteers who are enthusiastic and feel passionate about blind and partially sighted people’s health and wellbeing.
Eye Buddy and Telephone Befriending Volunteer tasks include:
· Good communication skills.
· Effective listening skills with patience and empathy.
· Friendly and supportive.
· Keeping regular contact with a blind or partially sighted client to reduce isolation either by visiting in their home or over the phone at agreed mutual date/time weekly or fortnightly.
· Establish client interests, encourage an older person to meet other people and be less lonely.
· Ensure a person with mobility problems can benefit from attending social activities or lunch club by organising transport.
· Tasks either include popping in for a chat over a cup of tea/coffee, taking client shopping, for a walk, reading post, organising paperwork, writing letters, sewing, help with technology or general handyperson e.g., changing light bulbs.
· Confidentiality
· Ensure any concerns are reported to KAB.
The following qualities and skills are desirable but not essential:
· Commitment to client between 6 months to 1 year.
· Previous volunteering experience or work with blind and partially sighted and older people.
· Assertive and articulate making calls on client’s behalf to sort out a problem, when they do not feel confident to do so, themselves.
· Driver would be an advantage but is not essential.
What difference will you make?
This opportunity puts you at the heart of supporting blind and partially sighted, elderly people in our community. A chance to make a huge difference to people living with sight-loss in the borough of Kingston upon Thames.
Also, the opportunity to help us continue to provide and develop our services for years to come.
We would welcome input varying from as little as 1 – 2 hours per week.
Indoor Bowls Volunteer
Could you help people with sight-loss play Indoor Bowls?
We support a group of visually impaired people to play indoor bowls from October to April on Tuesdays 10am-12pm at King George Field Indoor Bowls Club, Tolworth.
Why not give it a try?
For more information email Antony at ceo@kingstonassociationforblind.org or call 0208 605 0060