Volunteer Engineer

Practical engineer to help those with a disability

Our volunteer engineers make aids for the disabled that are not available to buy. If a person with a disability, or their carer or medical practitioner, identifies a problem that can be resolved with a piece of equipment, but no one makes it, then Remap will. Our service is free to the user.

When a request for help is received by the Remap case officer, the job will be allocated to a volunteer engineer who will arrange to visit the client, with a medical professional if appropriate, to understand the problem.

The engineer will then return home and, after careful consideration of the issues, design and make the aid in their own workshop. After delivering the aid to the client and making any adjustments (it may take several attempts, like any prototype), the job is complete.

You will work from home and every effort will be made to give you jobs close by tominimise travel (although travel costs will be reimbursed).

About Remap Berkshire

Volunteer engineers at the charity Remap Berkshire design and make free equipment and gadgets for those with disabilities where nothing suitable is available commercially. These bespoke solutions enable people of all ages to do independently what would otherwise not be possible: sports, hobbies, travel, work, education, mobility, personal care.

Remap Berkshire is the local branch of a national charity, and serves the county of Berkshire and North Hampshire.

What skills do I need?

The volunteer needs to have the ability and skill to understand a problem, and then design and make the solution. The ability to come up with an original concept is vital; no one comes to us with a readymade design! It would suit a skilled DIYer, model maker or craftsman. It does not require a degree in engineering, although some of our members do have one.

You will need a car to visit clients and buy materials.

You will need your own workshop (or access to one) although this does not need to be elaborate because one of your skills will be to come up with a simple design.

This work will appeal to anyone who enjoys solving problems and making things. Remap will provide you with an inexhaustible supply.

When is this role available?

This is a flexible role available on various days/times.

Details

The timing and duration of the work is entirely in the control of the volunteer. Although most of our volunteers are retired, we have some who also work full time.

• Accessibility
  You will be working from home and visiting clients in their own home
• Equal opportunities policy
  Remap welcomes anyone with the necessary skills to volunteer with us. Similarly, we help anyone with our work.
• Expenses reimbursed
  Out-of-pocket expenses (essentially materials and petrol) are reimbursed
• Ongoing support
• Safeguarding policy
• Training provided
  Volunteers are expected to come ready trained and there is no formal training offered. However, new recruits are mentored and advice is always available. Regular team meetings allow jobs to be discussed.
• Volunteers covered by insurance
  Remap carries third party liability insurance