Community Engagement Volunteer (West Dunbartonshire)

What activities might I be involved in?

• Researching potential fundraising opportunities within the West Dunbartonshire community
• Use your personal networks and local connections to promote CHAS both as a place to volunteer and worthwhile cause to raise money for
• Utilising your unique local knowledge and interests to enhance fundraising efforts
• Establish and nurture relationships with local businesses and residents to develop fundraising leads and promote volunteering opportunities 
• Attend regular catch-up meetings with you volunteer lead/manager
• Updating CHAS's fundraising database with relevant information
• Representing CHAS enthusiastically and appropriately in the West Dunbartonshire community.

What skills and abilities will I need to have?

• Outgoing and friendly
• Knowledge of, and strong links within the local community in West Dunbartonshire
• Specific area of knowledge relating to one of our income streams
• Excellent IT skills
• Patience, empathy and tact
• An ability to represent CHAS enthusiastically and appropriately
• Willingness to work as part of a team and to take the lead

How much time should I offer?

Flexible time commitment - you can volunteer on any day of the week in the morning, afternoon or evening.

Where is the opportunity based?

In your own community and supporting your local fundraiser at their office. This role will be based out of Robin House and there will be a requirement to meet your volunteer manager at least once a month at Robin House.

What ongoing learning/support/guidance will I receive?

It’s important to us that you feel happy, safe and confident in your role. As a CHAS volunteer you will be invited to complete a short, online core learning package that is tailored to your role - your learning will include representing CHAS and basic health and safety. You can choose to learn as part of a group or complete the learning online. The learning won't take up much time and will equip you with the skills you need to undertake your role safely and confidently. We are always developing new opportunities for volunteers to learn and offer a range of options for volunteers.

All volunteers are assigned a supervisor - this person will be your point of contact and will meet with you on a regular basis to provide you with support and guidance.

What are the benefits to me?

• An opportunity to use your skills to help raise money and awareness of CHAS
• Getting more involved and making a real difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition in your local community
• Gaining experience to add to your CV
• Create new contacts and network
• Having fun!

What are the benefits to the children and families supported by CHAS?

By helping CHAS to fundraise you are helping the charity develop our services for children and young people with a life-shortening condition. A visible presence in the community, you are the public face of CHAS and help to raise awareness of our vital services in the community. This improved awareness means that more children and families will know about and access our services.

What else should I know?

The role is for those age 18+.

The income streams are colleges and universities, company and business, community events, schools, youth groups and community groups which give volunteers plenty of scope to get involved. If you have an idea to fundraise of knowledge of one of these areas you are ideal as a Community Engagement volunteer. 

We will pay your out of pocket expenses in line with the CHAS volunteer expenses policy.

CHAS is committed to providing a quality volunteering experience to all volunteers free from discrimination and prejudice. Ensuring that CHAS is an equal, diverse, and inclusive organisation improves the quality of care we provide, helps us reach more families and children, and maximises a wide variety of knowledge, experience and expertise.

We welcome volunteer applications from those who are refugees, asylum seekers, benefit claimants and those with a disability. We can provide more information on volunteering eligibility and any adjustments we can put in place to ensure your volunteering experience is a positive one.

What’s the next step?

If you’re interested in the role you can apply online or if you have any questions please contact the Volunteering Team at volunteering@chas.org.uk or 01577 866065.