Thinking about becoming a volunteer?

 

Volunteering for Fleetwood Beach wheelchairs is a hugely rewarding way to help the people of Fleetwood and further afield.  There are often "lumps in the throat" as people, young and old, get to go onto the beach for the first time in years, if not the first time ever!

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As volunteers, we do not push the chairs, nor do we help with transfers in or out of chairs. We are merely there to advise on equipment and book out wheelchairs. It is great fun, we love the chatter and meeting clients and carers.   

Our volunteers come in all shapes and sizes, from all walks of life and all age groups. Many but not all are retired, some are single, others come as couples. Some are students volunteering as part of their Duke of Edinburgh awards, others are students home from university for the holidays. Some volunteer regularly, others just come for a few hours every month or so. We are very flexible and never expect more than our volunteers are willing to give.
 

If anyone feels they would like to join our volunteer team, we can assure you of a very warm welcome. See the contact information above - or come along to our Wheel Base and meet us, have a chat, and we can show you around. We're extremely proud of what we have achieved so far, and would love to have you on board for as much or little of your time as you can spare.

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We have 2 sessions per day with a minimum of 2 volunteers at any time,  the 'morning shift' will generally arrive 30 mins before the first booking (or 9:30 on weekends and bank holidays) and stay until 1pm.  On arrival they will take the chairs & other bits & pieces outside so we are ready for action.

 

Then there will be a hand-over to the 'afternoon shift' from 1pm to 4pm, with last bookings at 3pm although there may be chairs out right up to 4pm on occasion.  Once all of the chairs are cleaned and sanitised they are all put away   

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We are open every Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday from 10 am to 4 pm, weather permitting.  Weekdays we are only open when we have advance bookings.  When we are open, there will be a mixture of advance bookings and 'drop-ins' where people stop by and ask to use a chair there and then.  

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If there are more than 2 volunteers on duty, they will often take turns at sitting out on the prom with one of the wheelchairs, some leaflets, teddies and a collection pot.  The teddies are knitted by some of the volunteers and people within the community and are offered to any children who make a donation or even show interest in what we do. 

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Sometimes we will only have a single 'shift' mid-week so the same team will open up at the start of their shift & close up at the end.

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