Advocacy Volunteer Roles

Community Engagement Volunteer

About the role

Healthwatch Lewisham is an independent organisation set up to champion the views of health and social care service users. It strives to make sure that health and social care services are meeting local needs and to ensure that the public’s voice is heard regarding how local services are run. 

As a Community Engagement volunteer, you will be taking a lead in helping us reach people, contributing to our Patient Experience and Emerging Communities Programmes. This role is ideal if you like talking and interacting with people, are passionate about the voice of the local communities and believe in equality.

Patient Experience

We visit healthcare and community settings to talk to people about their experiences with health and social care and capture those experiences with our feedback survey.

Following a visit, volunteers input the feedback into a database. Those looking for further skills and development can get involved in analysing the data collected and help create charts and written content for our quarterly Patient Experience Report. 

Healthwatch Link Champion/ Emerging Communities

If you have an interest in supporting an emerging or isolated community then you could contribute to our Patient Experience Programme as a Healthwatch Link Champion. This part of the role specialises in gathering and feeding back views from a particular community, helping to build trust, improve links and deepen our understanding of how the community experiences health and social care services. 

Tasks

• Visiting health and care and community venues to talk to people and gather feedback.

• Carrying out telephone engagement to capture people’s feedback.

• Collecting online reviews of relevant services from google,the NHS and other review sites.

• Inputting patient experience feedback into a database.

• Analysing patient experience feedback.

• Producing infographic summary reports, highlighting, and simplifying the key findings from our Patient Experience Report.

Time Commitment

• A weekly commitment, Weekday morning availability a plus

• 4 hours a week, 3-month minimum commitment

Travel commitment

You must be willing and able to travel across the borough – sometimes this could be up to 1.5 hours.

Is this role right for me?

What we are looking for:

• Aged over 18.

• Able to travel to and around the borough.

• Confidence in speaking with strangers.

• Friendly, approachable manner with good verbal communication and listening skills.

• Awareness of personal and professional boundaries.

Considered a Bonus:

• Additional languages are considered a plus.

Benefits of volunteering

• Incredibly social role, where you meet and work with lots of other people

• Join a network of over 300 volunteers

• Gain access to our training hub and develop yourself further

• Our volunteers receive priority job alerts for internal paid roles 

• Travel expenses covered

Why we need your help

Marie Curie is piloting a Companions in the Community Service in partnership with Langport Surgery to support those in their last year of life.

The Service will compliment the support already provided by the Surgery Team, and local community service, providing end of life expertise to patients and their circle of support. Whilst clinical and care professionals provide hugely important services, we want to ensure that those who have a life limiting condition and/or experiencing health decline have all the support they need to help navigate the practical and emotional journey.

What we need you to do

Companions will be trained in a variety of end-of-life support needs, to allow the person to choose what they need, when they need it. This will include topics such as: Compassionate Conversations, Advance Care Planning, Unconscious Bias, Community Services and Connection, what to expect at the End of Life and Bereavement Support.

Support provided could be a one off activity such as completing an Advance Care Plan or supporting them to access Carer’s Support Allowance, or it could be an going engagement providing different aspects of support over a longer period of time.

What skills or experience do you need?

willingness to support others during death, dying and bereavement.
Interest in supporting people face to face, including their personal homes, care homes and community.
Access to IT equipment and basic IT skills e.g. typing on word and email attachments
Passionate individuals who are keen to support us in making this pilot a success, to benefit the people we support and the Langport Surgery Team
Patience, empathy, and emotional awareness
Excellent active listening skills and an ability to build a rapport with others.
Commitment and reliability
Inclusive and respectful values
Willingness to learn and operate within Marie Curie processes and boundaries.
 

        What we can offer you
An excellent opportunity to build on your skills in a charity environment
An induction, training, support and supervision in your role
Agreed reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
 

What we ask of you
To provide two references from non-family members and other relevant documents related to the role
To keep to all the charity’s policies and guidelines 
To complete an induction and any training related to the role
 

Marie Curie is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of patients and their families and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.  Marie Curie will treat all volunteers fairly and with respect.  We will not discriminate on the basis of disability, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sex (i.e. gender), sexual orientation, religion or faith, or gender reassignment.  We will not discriminate on the basis of age, unless the responsibilities of a role require us to do so in order to safeguard our volunteers and/or service users.

About us

Lipodystrophy UK is a dedicated charity, set up to support people affected by Lipodystrophy. Lipodystrophy is a rare disease which affects the body’s ability to store fat under the skin. This can lead to metabolic complications including insulin resistance, diabetes, dyslipidaemia, heart disease, kidney disease, fatty liver disease and many others. 

We are a small but growing charity and need help with our Trustee board, after some dedicated long-serving members have stepped down. 

We’re looking for a socially-conscious individual to help support our goals. This will be a fantastic opportunity to gain experience as a Board member and Trustee, facilitating the growth of the charity in its continuous efforts to support patients and their families. We welcome anyone affected by Lipodystrophy, rare disease, or anyone who wants to help our vibrant community.

Your role

You’ll be required to: 

• Attend quarterly Board meetings (virtually)
• Offer opinions and recommendations on charity projects and directions
• Support our actions through organisation of/support organisation of different projects, for example: 
  • Arranging the printing of information leaflets 
  • Being a point of contact to a collaborator/collaborating organisation 
  • Organising a patient support day, etc. 
• Liaise with and advise fellow trustees and other volunteers regarding assigned projects/tasks, keeping the Board up-to-date with any related developments
• Maintain a flexible approach in line with community engagement 
• Give regular updates (quarterly Board meetings and ad hoc, when required) to the other Trustees on the Board 
• Ensure that the organisation complies with its governing document, organisation law, and any other relevant legislation or regulations 
• Ensure that the organisation pursues its objectives as defined in its governing document
• Undertake, along with fellow trustees, actively to govern, direct and control the organisation through collective decision-making

We would also like to appoint a Trustee with relevant experience as a Treasurer. Additional responsibilities would include:

• Oversee the financial affairs of the organisation and ensure they are legal, constitutional and within accepted accounting practice
• Ensure proper records are kept and that effective financial procedures and controls are in place 
• Monitor and report on the financial health of the organisation
• Liaise with and advise fellow trustees and other volunteers on all financial matters to ensure the financial viability of the organisation
• Make fellow trustees aware of their financial obligations and take a lead in interpreting financial data to them
• Produce or assist with the production of all necessary financial reports and returns, accounts and audits
• Regularly report the financial position at trustee meetings
• Appraise the financial viability of plans, funding applications, proposals and feasibility studies and advise the trustees accordingly
• Ensure that funds are properly expended in accordance with any restrictions placed by the donor

About you

You’ll be comfortable communicating with others, discussing the merits and disadvantages for different approaches. You will be comfortable suggesting ideas to support patients and willing to take on responsibility for different projects, as required (expect no more than a few hours commitment a month). It would be great if you had an understanding and/or a personal connection to Lipodystrophy and/or rare disease, or a willingness to learn about Lipodystrophy and its challenges. You must be sensitive to the difficulties experienced by the lipodystrophy community. To be considered for a Trustee role you will have: 

• A friendly and cooperative manner
• The ability to communicate well with others
• Good organisation skills
• A passion to support our Lipodystrophy community

Additionally for the Treasurer position: 

• Knowledge and experience of current fundraising and finance practice relevant to voluntary and community organisations
• Knowledge of bookkeeping and financial management
• Good financial analysis skills

Benefits to the successful candidate

• A real sense of purpose - you get to make a real difference to people affected by lipodystrophy
• Work with like-minded people 
• Varied opportunities for creativity and development
• Flexibility to fit work in around your other commitments
• Development of a wide range of transferable skills that will boost your CV and be attractive to future employers

To apply

If you’re as passionate about community support, raising awareness and supporting rare disease communities as we are and you want to join us on our journey and help shape our future, we want to hear from you. 

To apply please submit your CV and a short covering letter explaining your interest in joining Lipodystrophy UK and the relevant experience that you will be able to bring to the organisation. 

Make a real difference to children in Wales with a life-shortening condition by becoming a Community Engagement Volunteer today!

Our Community Engagement Volunteers are an extension of our Fundraising team and act as champions for Tŷ Hafan within their local community.

They are passionate about their cause and eager to share their knowledge and enthusiasm with others.

Supported by your local Regional Fundraiser, you will help us with various fundraising activities depending on your skills and confidence.

You will receive a full induction and ongoing training, as well as opportunities to meet other volunteers and have fun throughout the year.

We can't wait to welcome you!

Considerations:

Age requirement: 18+

Time commitment: Varied based on what you are able to do, but ideally, we would be looking for you to support for at least one day a month

Location: Across your local area

Why choose Tŷ Hafan?

Tŷ Hafan is a leading Welsh children's charity, with our hospice and headquarters based in Sully, Vale of Glamorgan.

We provide comfort, care and fun to children with life-shortening conditions, whilst supporting their families and helping them to make a short life, a full life; creating precious memories and helping them to make the most of the time they have together.

Tracy Jones, Director of Family Wellbeing and Outreach Services for Tŷ Hafan, said: “When families are told that their child’s life is going to be short, their whole world changes. It changes again when they realise they must consider end of life care, and again, when they finally lose their child.

“Tŷ Hafan is there to provide endless support to families from the moment their world changes.

“We can’t give a family more time, but Tŷ Hafan can make sure those families who find themselves facing a nightmare such as those faced by families in our care, have the time and the support they need.”

As a volunteer, you could be involved in various activities depending on your preferences, skills and experience, these include:

• Collecting and servicing donation boxes in your area and finding new places to place them

• Attending cheque presentations and giving talks about our work to local groups or schools

• Helping out at bucket collections and other fundraising events throughout the year

• Spreading the word about Tŷ Hafan's campaigns and events to your friends, family and contacts 

• Sharing your passion for what we do with your community

To be a Community Fundraising Volunteer, you need to have a good knowledge of your local area and potential supporters, and a genuine enthusiasm for our cause. It would also be helpful if you are:

• Able to speak Welsh (not essential for all volunteers, but we welcome Welsh speakers)

• Confident and comfortable speaking in public about what we do

• Familiar with using social media

Here's what you can expect from our training program:

• A comprehensive induction by a member of the Fundraising team, including a tour of the hospice to see the impact of your support

• An annual training day at the hospice with tips on delivering talks, updates on policies and procedures, and a celebration of your achievements 

• Regular contact from your Regional Fundraiser and invitations to team meetings and social events

• GDPR training on how to handle donations and cash safely and securely

• Exclusive access to some of our events as our guest;

• Reimbursement for travel expenses

The benefits of becoming a Community Engagement Volunteer:

• It's a great way to increase your knowledge of the charity sector, helping you in your personal and professional development

• You will make a positive impact in your community and beyond  

• You can share your passion and knowledge about a cause that you care about with others

• You can develop your communication, leadership and interpersonal skills while expanding your network and making new friends.

• You can have fun and enjoy the satisfaction of contributing to our purpose

 • You will be provided with Tŷ Hafan collateral such as an ID badge, T-shirt, and other branded materials where relevant. 

Are you ready to join us as a volunteer?

You will be asked to complete a simple application form.

We will ask you to provide us with the details of two referees and a Basic DBS check is required for this role.

Tŷ Hafan will cover the costs of any background checks and we will contact you with details on completing a DBS, once your application is successful.

We can't wait to welcome you to the team!

This role is purely voluntary and this arrangement is not a legally binding one or an employment contract.

Providing care and support is something we are only able to do because of the kindness and commitment of our wonderful staff, supporters and volunteers

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Training will be provided for the role, and online for GDPR, Fire Safety, and Manual Handling.  Certification provided.

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This is an opportunity to lead the protection of the vital footpaths and rights of way network across the countryside of East Sussex and ensure walking in the natural environment is accessible to all.

You will coordinate a team of Local Footpath Wardens and will be responsible for assessing proposals affecting paths and for developing Ramblers' response to and comments on those proposals, liaising with Ramblers' central office and other stakeholders as necessary.

You will represent Ramblers' Sussex Area on rights of way issues with the local authority and at meetings and public events.

To undertake the role you will need to keep up to date with legal and policy information about paths and planning issues nationally as well as in your local area.

The skills required for the role are to be confident but diplomatic; able to understand complex rights of way and legal issues; be friendly and personable with the ability to influence; and good at presenting arguments in writing and in person.

The role will offer you the opportunity to use your existing networking skills; to develop new skills and knowledge in relation to rights of way issues; and to work with a small group of fellow volunteers to influence local policy.