Cervical Cancer Prevention Community Champion (Scotland)

Jo’s Community Volunteers play a very important role in communicating health messages and dispel fears and misconceptions about cervical cancer across their communities. This happens because volunteers find ways to connect with people in a relaxed, known environment and allow for interactive discussions on cervical cancer awareness and screening. As a small charity we need your help to reach as many women across Scotland as possible.  

Cervical screening is one of the most effective methods for women to reduce their risk of cervical cancer and with one in three women not attending cervical screening (smear tests), it is vitally important we raise awareness of cervical cancer and ways to prevent the disease to reduce health inequalities.  

As a trained volunteer you will deliver face to face awareness sessions via a presentation (that we will provide for you) and share our cervical health prevention messages to groups of people, in a variety of settings. The interactive sessions provide women with cervical screening information, discuss barriers to screening, and share hints and tips that may help encourage women to attend.  The sessions empower women attending to make informed decisions about cervical health.  

As a Jo’s volunteer will be able to arrange the sessions on days and times of the week that suit you, to fit in with your existing commitments.  

What will you do? 

• Promote and organise group awareness sessions within your local community 

• Seek out and approach new community groups to offer information and awareness sessions 

• Aim to deliver a minimum of 1 x 1 hour session per month  

• Help us evaluate the work we are doing by reporting your volunteer activity back to your Volunteer Manager 

• Comply with organisational GDPR, safeguarding, lone working and other policies 

What skills or qualities do you need?  

• Experience and confidence in talking to groups  

• Good verbal and written communication skills 

• Willingness to travel within your local area 

• Have links within your own community, for example women’s groups, faith groups, playgroups, sports groups and to be able to build relationships.  

• Ability to work independently 

• Be passionate about improving women’s health  

• Personal experience of cervical cancer is not essential for this role, personal experience of cervical screening is preferable 

What commitment is required?  

• Be willing to give a 6 month commitment to the role 

• Attend half a day’s virtual training session, which will include a general induction to Jo’s 

• Keep a record of the numbers of people you engage with and provide us with any feedback that is given to you  

• A commitment to working within Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust policies and guidelines 

What will you gain from being a volunteer?  

• An opportunity to be part of a new initiative in Scotland to increase cervical screening uptake rates ultimately helping to save lives  

• Participate in online training where you will gain new transferrable skills, knowledge and an understanding of cervical screening, the process, barriers to attending, who Jo's is and what we are trying to achieve 

• Develop and or build on networking skills 

• Opportunities to meet new people from a wide range of background 

• The reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses incurred in role 

• Support and information resources to help you carry out your volunteer role  

We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds that can help us connect women in their communities; this may be in faith groups, or women from different cultural backgrounds.