Volunteer Speaker

CHAS speakers identify opportunities to engage new audiences in the work of CHAS by arranging and delivering talks to schools, local businesses, rotary clubs or similar groups. Your local Community Fundraiser may also ask you to fulfil speaking engagements.

This role gives you the chance to be a real ambassador for CHAS; you’ll be raising awareness of CHAS in local communities and encouraging your audiences to get involved in supporting us, by donating money or time.

What activities will I be involved in?

• Identifying opportunities to speak to new groups through local research and your existing knowledge
• Making approaches and arranging talks
• Creating and delivering short talks about CHAS, as appropriate for each audience

What skills and abilities will I need to have?

• Strong communication skills
• Confidence and an outgoing and friendly personality
• An interest in meeting new people and being a positive ambassador for CHAS 
• Passion and enthusiasm for our work
  
• A clear understanding of the need for confidentiality

How much time should I offer? 

You can volunteer on any day of the week, in the morning, afternoon or evening. Ideally, you would deliver at least four talks per year.

What ongoing learning/support/guidance will I receive? 

It’s important to us that you feel happy, safe and confident in your role. You will be invited to complete a short core learning package that is tailored to your volunteer role. You will also be given training that is specific to your speaker role and the content of your talks, focusing on key messages about our services. 

Your local Community Fundraiser will be your Volunteer Manager and will provide ongoing support and guidance to you in your role. We have also partnered with the Skills Network to offer all our volunteers the chance to develop new skills and explore further learning opportunities.

What are the benefits to me?

• Getting more involved and making a real difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition
• Meeting new people
• Gaining experience and adding to your CV

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

•  By talking about CHAS to new audiences, you will raise awareness of what we do which will lead more people to fundraise and volunteer with CHAS. This helps us to fund and develop the support we offer to children with a life-shortening condition and their families
• As a visible presence and genuine ambassador in the community, you will be the public face of CHAS, improving awareness of our services so that even more families will know about and access our services

What else should I know?

You should be aged 18 or over to apply for this role. 

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 improve the quality of care we provide, help us reach more families and children, and maximise 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 if you are allowed to volunteer and what 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.