The overall purpose of the volunteer role is to assist Diabetes UK Volunteering Development Officers (VDOs) and their relevant regions and nations to support and develop the critical work of our Diabetes UK Local Groups.
We are looking for individuals who are able to volunteer locally and engage with approximately four to six Diabetes UK Local Groups assisting with all elements of the group operations; member recruitment, volunteer recruitment, delivering training, facilitating networking between groups.
The overall purpose of the volunteer role is to assist Diabetes UK Volunteering Development Officers (VDOs) and their relevant regions and nations to support and develop the critical work of our Diabetes UK Local Groups. We are looking for individuals who are able to volunteer locally and engage with approximately four to six Diabetes UK Local Groups assisting with all elements of the group operations; member recruitment, volunteer recruitment, delivering training, facilitating networking between groups.
About the nations and regions
Diabetes UK works across all areas of the UK. With one central office based in London, we also have 10 offices in total across the four nations; seven across the regions in England and one in each of the nations, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The offices in these nations and regions are there to provide local services for people living with diabetes but are also there to be a louder voice for all those with or at risk of Diabetes. To support this, each region or nation currently engages with 20-50 Diabetes UK Local Groups. These are run by groups of volunteers who are taking action locally by running monthly meetings and providing information to people living with Diabetes. They raise awareness of diabetes and Diabetes UK and they also raise funds for the running of the group and Diabetes UK.
Main elements of volunteer role:
- Working with each group, provide support with the writing of a personalised development plan. This plan should identify key areas for growth and improvement.
- Support each group with the creation of new volunteer roles to support the growth and operations of the group and committee. This should include providing support and advice on volunteer recruitment and selection.
- Support Local Group with increasing and retaining their audience by having an attractive offer to people living with Diabetes.
- Support the VDO with the delivery of local training or induction for new volunteers/ committee members
- Run local networking meetings with groups which encourage the sharing of best practice and joined up work.Work closely with the VDO in region or nation to ensure effective cross working and cross communication.
What we are looking for:
- Someone who as experience of building credible and effective relationships.
- Someone who has experience of volunteering and working with volunteers and/or groups of volunteers.
- Ability to influence others.
- Excellent communication and customer services skills.
- Ability to absorb and communicate information accurately.
- Excellent co-ordination, time management and prioritisation skills.
- Ability to be a self-motivated and engage with others without close supervision.
- Experience of using Email, Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Ability to volunteer during evening and weekends when most group meetings take place
Timescales
We hope that you will be able to volunteer for 4–6 hours per week on an on-going basis - this can be negotiated to suit the situation. Some of your time will involve working remotely from home.
Recruitment process
The role is very important and therefore getting to know you better is a natural part of the process. Once you have completed the Volunteer Application Form, we will look to invite you to an interview with the Volunteering Development Officer, the Regional Manager/ Nation Director and a Local Group Member.
The interview will be an opportunity for us to explore your suitability and experience for the role but it will also be a good time for you to decide whether the role and organisation are for you.
Please contact your local volunteer officer if you have any questions about the role.
What we can offer you
- Full induction and on the role training.
- Support meetings with Volunteering Development Officers.
- The opportunity to contribute to an important area of work which could ultimately help to improve the lives of people with diabetes.
- Payment of agreed out-of-pocket expenses, such as lunch and travel, as per Diabetes UK Expenses Policy.
- Experience of volunteering in the charity sector.
