Volunteers

Our work would not be possible without the help of a large team of dedicated volunteers.  We have two training centres, one in Saunderton (Buckinghamshire) and the other in Bielby (East Riding of Yorkshire). If you don't live near either of our training centres don't be discouraged, there are still ways to volunteer with us.

If you’re interested in getting involved and becoming part of our committed volunteering team please read through our current volunteering opportunities below. To request a volunteer application form please click HERE or write to the address below stating which volunteering opportunity you would like to apply for.

Volunteering Applications Officer
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
The Grange
Wycombe Road
Saunderton
Buckinghamshire
HP27 9NS

For any further information please contact Linda Carter, volunteering recruitment officer on 01844 348122 or email volunteer@hearingdogs.org.uk

Puppy Socialising

June/July 2010: We are currently focusing our recruitment for socialisers in Peterborough. However, we also need more in parts of Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire and Yorkshire. To find out more and whether you live within one of our catchment areas contact the socialising team directly on 01844 348129 (voice and minicom) or puppy@hearingdogs.org.uk

Volunteer socialisers play a vital role in a potential hearing dog's early training. As a socialiser you will be required to take a new recruit into your home for anything up to 12 months at a time, having the time and commitment to provide basic obedience training and to build confidence by introducing the dog to new people and experiences. Our trained staff will visit you in your home to carry out regular assessments and support visits. Socialisers must be able to attend regular puppy classes held at one of our training centres or a designated training facility in one of our satellite areas. 

B&B Socialising

This volunteering opportunity is currently only available at our Saunderton training centre.

Some of our recruits who have progressed through to their soundwork training like to go to a cosy home overnight and at weekends rather than staying in kennels. This means we are looking for volunteers who live close enough to our training centre in Saunderton, Buckinghamshire to pick up a hearing dog in training at 5pm on a weekday night, look after him overnight, then drop him back for training at 9am the following morning. The dog would stay with you all weekend too while he has a break from training.

Breeding Scheme

This opportunity is only available at our Buckinghamshire training centre.

The Hearing Dogs Breeding Scheme is continually looking for volunteers who can offer a long term home to one of our brood bitches or stud dogs. All dogs will be at least 12 months old and each dogs is carefully matched to a new volunteer fosterer to ensure the best partnership. Ongoing support and advice from the Hearing Dogs team ensures each dog thrives in its new home. Holiday boarder volunteers can look after the dog if you want to go on holiday. if you foster a bitch, volunteer home whelpers are also available if you can't give the 7-8weeks of 24 hour care that may be needed for mum and pups.

Fosters must live within an hour and half's drive of our Buckinghamshire centre and attend the centre for matings, health checks and regular training classes.

Emergency Hearing Dog Care

This opportunity is only available if a hearing dog partnership living in your area requires assistance.

An emergency carer offers to collect and temporarily care for a working hearing dog in their locality when one of our hearing dog recipients is unable to do so. You would be offering reassurance that a much loved hearing dog is being cared for in the comfort of a home environment. Volunteers will be required to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure check under the terms of the Police Act 1997 (Part V). Please contact us to see if there are any opportunities in your area.

Hearing Dog Walkers

This opportunity is only available if a hearing dog partnership living in your area requires assistance.

A hearing dog walker offers to regularly exercise a working hearing dog when a hearing dog recipient in their locality needs help to exercise their dog. Whether long or short term arrangement, either way, you will be offering peace of mind to one of our hearing dog recipients that their treasured hearing dog is being given the exercise he/she needs. Volunteers will be required to undertake a CRB check as above. Please contact us to see if there are any opportunities in your area.

Volunteer Speakers

We currently need more speakers in all areas of the UK, particularly Scotland, Wiltshire, Kent, East Anglia, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire, Cornwall, Cumbria and the North.

Hearing Dogs for Deaf People has a dedicated network of volunteers throughout the UK that work to promote awareness of the Charity and to raise funds for the training of dogs. Registered Speakers are our regional ambassadors who spread the word about our work to groups and organisations in their local area. Speakers visit groups such as WI's, Towns Women Guilds, Rotary Clubs, Fellowships, Brownies and other similar youth groups and schools. All training, equipment and ongoing support is provided by the Charity.

Fundraising Branches

The Charity's branch support network is an essential part of Hearing Dogs. Branches raise valuable funds, inspire local support and sow the seeds which will generate income from other sources. We are actively looking for volunteers willing to join or start a branch. Branch members meet to decide on ways to raise valuable funds and organise their own events with the support of Regional Fundraisers who have in depth knowledge of the local area.

If you would like to start a branch or join an existing one....

Contact Fiona Jones, Fundraising Administrator on 018744 348148 or email fiona.jones@hearingdogs.org.uk and we will arrange to come and talk to you and your friends about forming a branch, answering any questions you may have. Existing branches are always pleased to welcome new members to either take an active role or simply offer occasional support. Contact Fiona for details of your nearest branch.

You don't need to join a branch to offer your help

Branches also value the support offered by non-members. Could you donate a raffle prize? Offer communication support? Provide storage space (for display material, fundraising goods, tents etc.)? Offer a venue where a branch can raise funds: your home, your garden, a barn or a field for a car boot sale?

Work Experience

Our Work experience placement involves working in kennels over a 1 - 2 week period. This role is only available at The Grange, Buckinghamshire.

Volunteering in kennels is a varied role assisting our Kennel Welfare Officers with general daily tasks. This could include: making up dog feeds, stuffing Kong's for the dogs, playing with the dogs in a compound, dog walking, picking up dog faeces, cleaning when required and assisting with grooming. If you have a keen interest in dogs this might be the ideal volunteering role for you. This role is offered as a one or two week experience placement and is open to anyone over the age of 14 on a first-come-first-served basis.

For further information and to check availablity please email lynne.fleming@hearingdogs.org.uk

Housekeeping

This opportunity is only available at our Buckinghamshire training centre.

The Grange in Buckinghamshire has a lovely old farmhouse, a family unit and six cottages in order for recipients of hearing dogs, staff and other guests to stay on site when required. We'd love some help to clean and prepare this accommodation. It would be great if our housekeeper could have a helping hand on a regular basis but even offering a few hours on an ad-hoc basis would be appreciated.

Admin support

There can be a number of opportunities available to assist our staff in the offices at both our training centres. Even routine tasks such as filing or data input are invaluable and very much appreciated by our staff. Depending on the Charity's activities, we sometimes need extra support in particular areas. This means you may be asked to help in more than one department e.g. Human Resources or Fundraising. Basic computer skills would be an advantage but not all office support opportunities require computer skills. We sometimes need help with mail shots, appeals, filing and requests for our literature. Please contact our Volunteering Recruitment Officer to find out what admin support is needed at the moment.

Other

From time to time we would welcome help with gardening or maintenance at our training centres. In addition, if you have a unique skill that you may want to share with us, do please get in touch.