Frequently Asked Questions
It's possible that the answer to your question is already here. Please look through the list before contacting us. Thank you.
Q - What is SNAP?
Q - When do our schemes run?
Q - When was SNAP established?
Q - Who runs SNAP?
Q - How does SNAP get the money to run the Project?
Q - Where is SNAP based?
Q - Do I need to be experienced to work on a scheme?
Q - Do I get training as a volunteer?
Q - Why work for free? Don't I get any money?!
Q - What is a 'police check' and why do I need one to work on a scheme?
Q - Are there restrictions on the number of days a young person can attend a scheme?
Q - How many people attend a scheme?
Q - Who can apply?
Q - How do I apply?
Q - How much does it cost for each young person?
Q - Are buses provided to take children and young people to the scheme and home again?
Q - How can I contact SNAP to ask another question?
- Q - What is SNAP?
- A - Whitgift Special Needs Activity Project (SNAP) is a registered charity providing two-week summer activity playschemes for disabled children and young people aged between 5 and 25 and who live in the borough of Croydon, London, UK. Volunteers are recruited to befriend and care for the children and young people and get involved in activities both on and off site.
<< back to top - Q - When do our schemes run?
- A - We run our schemes in a two-week block each summer. Usually the schemes will run in the last week of July and the first week of August although the dates are reviewed each year. We will publish the dates of the scheme on the Events Page as soon as they are confirmed.
<< back to top - Q - When was SNAP established?
- A - The first Project was in back in 1985. Things were different then: less young people per day; SNAP wasn't a charity; and the name of the scheme had not yet been thought up!
<< back to top - Q - Who runs SNAP?
- A - A Management Committee of Trustees oversees the running of the Charity and meet once a month throughout the year. The trustees work for the Charity on a voluntary basis. If you want to know who runs the Charity click here.
<< back to top - Q - How does SNAP get the money to run the Project?
- A - As a Charity, SNAP makes no profit from the services it provides. All the money for the Project comes from fundraising. We apply for grants from various organisations, and run fundraising events ourselves, such as quiz nights. We will post the dates of such fundraising events on the Events Page. Alternatively, if you would like to donate some money to SNAP please click here.
<< back to top - Q - Where is SNAP based?
- A - The two-week schemes are held at Whitgift School in South Croydon, London, UK. This very large school, with excellent facilities, is one of the best day schools in the country, and provides its grounds, and many other services, free of charge as its contribution to the Charity, for which we are very grateful.
<< back to top - Q - Do I need to be experienced to work on a scheme?
- A - Although relevant experience in caring for children with disabilities will certainly help your application, experience is not absolutely necessary. We also take your references into account, and most people with positive references are offered a place.
If, however, you wish to apply for a paid position, such as Group Leader, or Care Assistant, then you must have had some relevant experience. If you have any concerns please feel free to contact us.
<< back to top - Q - Do I get training as a volunteer?
- A - Of course. Volunteer training is compulsory for all those who wish to attend a scheme. It is vital for health and safety reasons, but also if you want to enjoy the scheme! Once your application is accepted you will be contacted about training and other relevant meetings.
<< back to top - Q - Why work for free? Don't I get any money?!
- A - Although volunteers are not paid for the work they do for the Charity, they are reimbursed their expenses. That means that SNAP will pay for your travel to and from the scheme. Some people just want to 'give something back to the community' or 'help those less advantaged than themselves,' but if your motives are not so altruistic then voluntary work looks very good on your CV or UCAS Personal Statement. SNAP is also great work experience for those wanting to go into healthcare professions.
<< back to top - Q - What is a 'police check' and why do I need one to work on a scheme?
- A - By law we must ensure that those working for the charity do not have any criminal offences that disqualify them from working with children and young people. We wish to provide the utmost safety for our beneficiaries, and see the police check as a vital part of every application to work for the Charity. We use the Criminal Records Bureau to provide us with the relevant enhanced disclosures.
<< back to top - Q - Are there restrictions on the number of days a young person can attend a scheme?
- A - Yes. Due to the large number of young people wanting to attend the scheme we have to limit the number of days any child/young person can attend. We review our eligibility policy each year but last year we were able to offer a whole week to every service user. For full details please download the Crocodile Scheme eligibility criteria or Alligator Scheme eligibility criteria, as appropriate.
<< back to top - Q - How many people attend a scheme?
- A - Each day of the Crocodile Scheme we have about 90 young people, with a total of about 180 young people from Croydon attending each year. About 200 volunteers were recruited last year with between 110-120 on the Scheme each day. Additionally, there were eight Group Leaders and three Care Staff as well as the Coordinator and Committee Members. The Alligator Scheme is much smaller - It will accept only 12 young people per day.
<< back to top - Q - Who can apply?
- A - Children & Young People: Disabled chiildren/young people aged between 5-25 and living within the London Borough of Croydon. (Our definition of disability is very broad including physical and learning difficulties.)
<< back to top - Q - How do I apply?
- A - Children/Young People: Click here to download the application form and send it back to us by the deadline.
Staff/Volunteers: Click here to download the application form.
<< back to top - Q - How much does it cost for each young person?
- A - SNAP charge £5.00 per child/young person per day. This amount does not cover the cost of running the scheme but is a token donation towards the Project. All further donations are gratefully received.
<< back to top - Q - Are buses provided to take children and young people to the scheme and home again?
- A - We employ Croydon Council Blue Buses to provide transport for those families who need it. We cannot, however, guarantee to provide transport.
<< back to top - Q - How can I contact SNAP to ask another question?
- A - Click here for details on contacting Whitgift SNAP.
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