Kick asthma volunteers

To all those Kick A volunteers lurking-

I was wondering if there are any set criteria for volunteers as i am thinking about volunteering next yr, eg health satus, experience, . I am CRBchecked to work in school plus i run a brownie unit.

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Thanks for posting this question - I have often wondered if I could volunteer (am a paediatric nurse and run a Rainbow unit) but am concerned that as my asthma is still uncontrolled I would be more of a hindrance and a danger to the kids.

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*bounds in* I'm having a bit of a slow afternoon surgery, so I will attempt to answer this.

Kick-asthma volunteers need to be certifiably insan---ooops, I mean enthusiastic, cheerful, dedicated and a little bit bonkers. Only kidding. There are no personal requirements, but you are asked on your application form for past experience of working with children and leading activities (e.g., I used to coach 11-14 year olds hockey goalkeeping, and taught 8-11 year olds lifesaving) - and also any special interests or qualifications you may have - an example of this may be a trampolining instructor certificate, etc etc.

Health-wise it becomes more tricky. You do need to bear in mind that these holidays are physically and mentally very demmanding, and can exhaust even healthy fit volunteers who don't have any chronic illnesses. You will be responsible for looking after the emotional, physical and disease-specific needs of a small group of children 24-7 for 7 days, as well as organising and running activities for the entire group. Kick-Asthma has a policy that if a volunteer has had an emergency hospital admission for their illness in the three weeks prior to a holiday, that they will need to discuss with the manager of the holiday as to whether they are well enough to participate.

Having said THAT, sounding like the voice of doom, we do have a significant number of volunteers who have chronic/severe/brittle asthma who volunteer and even lead the holidays (Oi, Kate, where are you?!). The wealth of experience and knowledge they bring to the holidays is invaluable and cannot be replaced - the children can see them as positive role models for how to live a life to the full whilst having asthma.

Any clarification - ask away!!

Cathy

[KateMoss]

*coughs up a frog & Bounces in*

I'm here!!!

Yes, I have been a volunteer for errrrrr 7 years with PEAK / KAH.

It is very hard work both physically & mentally but greatly rewarding. I usually do the less active stuff like art & craft - junk modeling and nature stuff too!

You do need to do a medical declaration and a new CRB check - all organisations need a brand new CRB - they are non-transferable. ( this is because the organisation may have access to info that you don't and this isn't stated on the form you get back)

You just need to pace yourself and take time out when needed / told to etc.

I think Cath has covered a lot of it.

Take care

Kate

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This isnt an instruction is it????

-only joshing!!

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LOL, Bluejam!

My username is Peaksteve because the holidays used to be called PEAK holidays. Now they are know as Kick Asthma Holidays, but they were for a short while going to be called Kick-A holidays.

I thus flatly refused to change my username to KickASteve...!

Back to the matter in hand, and having your asthma under some degree of control is certainly the key. If you consider your asthma to be uncontrolled they I'd say that the holidays aren't for you. However, if your asthma IS under control, you make an excellent role model for the kids, as has been said.

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Thanks for the replies it has cleared a few things up for me.

how soon do you have to apply for next yr and can you choose where you go?

Im used to brownie meetings and taking 24 girls away for weekends and running the whole thing plus i was a TA so exprience with kids is no probs and as for health mmmm tricky one nearly a month out of hossie and but still got a bit to go so that may be the tricky part!!! Mind you although i usualy get admissions in June im normally over it by now but this one was a tad different!

but on the positive side i can have quite good control for periods of time so that could be a plus.

Are a parent and child allowed on the same hol if they are in different age sections?

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Thanks for the info - will just have to add becoming a volunteer to my list of goals for when I'm finally under control!

[KateMoss]

Kirsten, have sent a PM!

Eyeore - glad we could help!

Kate

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Hops - I know Kate has PMed you, but I'll answer your questions here in case anyone else is interested.

If you want to volunteer, e-mail [e-mail] and let them know you'd like to volunteer, and what your postal address is, and they'll send you the necessary info.

You can usually choose which holiday you want to do, and we have a mix of new and experienced volunteers on the same holiday.

Due to problems in the past, Asthma UK doesn't allow children to be at the same *venue* as their volunteer parent, even if they are in different age groups.

If you'd like a better idea of what a Kick Asthma holiday involves from a volunteer's point of view, visit kah.org.uk - the Kick Asthma holiday volunteer's website, run by yours truly! You can see some old activity timetables and ""a day in the life"" type articles in the ""volunteer information"" section. There is also a message board there, but that can only be accessed by current Kick Asthma volunteers.

[KateMoss]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for clarifying the issue of children & parents at the same venue. I wasn't sure of the rules so didn't want to post it publicly.

Kirsten - hope this clears up the issue I was talking about.

Kate

XXX

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Thanks Steve for clarifying about aprent/child at same venue i can totally understand as have had probs on brownie camp with mothers/daughters together.

Unfortunately i will have to put volunteering on hold until the kids are older and less dependant unless mum is happy to have them while im away and hubby working. I might talk to her about that sooner rather than later so i can apply if possible.

I hope you have a fab time at Southampton - will think about you as we go near on our way west!!