FRIEND OF JT VOLUNTEER - Role Description
Click here to download a printable pdf version of this role description
Contact us if you are interested in volunteering
Purpose
The purpose of our Friends of JT Volunteers is to welcome and assist JT members and supporters at a range of Fundraising and Support events and activities across the UK.
Role Description
- Attend events such as 10k runs, abseils (mainly at weekends), coffee mornings, JT conference events, Christmas stalls, card sales, bag packing etc.
- Distributing information, registering participants etc.
- Marketing events, spreading awareness
Personal Skills and Qualities needed
- Enthusiasm and sociability
- Reliability
- Flexibility
Application process
- Application form to include names of 2 character referees
- Telephone or face to face discussion with Volunteers’ Co-ordinator or Community Fundraiser
Training and Support provided by The Jennifer Trust
- Opportunity to discuss the role and your situation, without obligation, with JT Volunteers’ Co-ordinator or Community Fundraiser
- Induction session with initial training to cover
- Overview of The Jennifer Trust
- Overview of SMA issues
- Confidentiality
- Equal Opportunities
- Accessibility
- Guidelines for attending events, promoting JT etc.
- Ongoing telephone and / or Email support from JT Volunteers’ Co-ordinator and Community Fundraiser
- Ongoing access to updates and developments through the Volunteers’ area of the JT website
Commitment Required each year
- Approx 5 hours initial telephone and / or face to face Induction Sessions and follow-up paperwork (flexible).
- Update sessions in any subsequent years
- Up to 5 days a year attending/helping at events promoted by The Jennifer Trust
- Liasing with JT staff
- Understanding of and adherence to The Jennifer Trust Equal Opportunities and Confidentiality policies
- Commitment to uphold The JT Volunteer Agreement
- Regular commitment to proactively log onto Volunteers’ area of JT website
Questions and Answers about the role of a Friend of JT Volunteer
Why does The Jennifer Trust need Friends of JT Volunteers?
As the Jennifer Trust is a small but national charity, we look to our Friends to be the welcoming face of JT and to help out at a range of Fundraising and Support events across the UK. When our members and supporters give up time (and lots of energy!) to run 10K, to cycle 70 miles or to jump off a building on our behalf, they really appreciate that bottle of water or that encouraging cheer! The input of our Friends at a whole range of events provides vital hands-on help to the charity.
How often will I be expected to attend events/fundraisers?
It may be that there are not many opportunities in your area throughout the year, but you will be given the option to attend if there is anything nearby or even if you are willing to travel further a field. Keeping in touch with the volunteer forum will allow you to keep abreast of other events around the country.
What sort of events will I be expected to attend?
The Jennifer Trust provides a very varied portfolio of events and information days where the assistance of Friends is needed to welcome, register and distribute information to participants and supporters. For instance, at the Guy’s Tower abseil we need our volunteers to book in and direct participants, encouraging and thanking them for taking part, whilst at a family fun day you might be running a fairground stall or promoting a raffle the choice is wide!
How much experience do I need to have?
No experience with the condition is necessary, but a passion to help and support the Jennifer Trust and its families is needed, as well as an enthusiastic and friendly approach to make our supporters feel welcome and valued. There may be some opportunities to help organise events, but most of the time you’ll be fully briefed and supported when you arrive.
How will I know which events to attend?
Regular logging onto the Volunteers’ Forum is essential, as details of our Friends’ volunteering opportunities will be posted there. You will find further details on each event, including date, time, venue and number of volunteers needed. You’ll be able to sign up to help out at the events which suit you best.
How far do I have to travel?
Some events may be local and we will try, where possible, to minimise distances travelled by Friends. For some events, however, if longer distances and/or evening work is involved, it may be an advantage to have access to transportation. Speak to us about your situation and we’ll do our best to work things out.
Can I claim expenses for my volunteering work?
We greatly value the time you give and we do not expect you to be ‘out of pocket’ as a result of your volunteering for us. Reasonable expenses (such as your entry to the venue, phone calls you have made for planning and organising) for volunteering can be claimed if these have been previously agreed with the Volunteers’ Co-ordinator in accordance with the JT document ‘Permitted Expenses for Volunteers’.
If you are interested in this volunteering role or would like to find out more, please click here (link to Volunteering Enquiry form)
