©InfoVolunteering is a great way of giving back to your community as well as increasing your company’s profile. Whether you have specialist skills or not, you can help vulnerable people in your community.
How would I be helping people?
The type of help you give really depends on the time you are able to commit. If your company gives you one or two working days off a year, you could use your specialist skills to help us with a project.
If your company is willing for you to be involved more regularly, you can get involved in one of our voluntary services, such as:
- selling things at a Red Cross charity shop
- providing people with short-term loans of medical equipment
- giving practical and emotional support to families after domestic fires.
What skills and training do I need?
The skills you need depend on the type of volunteering you would like to do. If you are able to make a commitment to volunteering regularly, we can give you the training you need to do your role.
Why are volunteers needed?
Our services in the UK are run almost entirely by volunteers. In fact, we have nearly ten times more volunteers than staff at the British Red Cross. Without volunteers we would not be able to give people the help they need in a crisis.
How do I apply?
To learn more about volunteering through your company, email volunteering@redcross.org.uk.
True story: Tesco employees show every little helps
As part of their Charity of the Year partnership with us, Tesco launched a volunteering pilot. Tesco allocated 36 hours of paid leave a month so staff can use their skills to help people in crisis in their local neighbourhoods. They are able to choose from a range of volunteering roles available in their area, from providing short-term care and support in the home to loaning out medical equipment.
Nicola Clements, volunteering co-ordinator for Tesco Charity of the Year, is co-ordinating the pilot schemes. She said: “This is the first time Tesco has offered anything like this for their staff so we’re hoping it really takes off.”
She added: “It’s a great opportunity for those staff who would like to volunteer but don’t have time outside of work. It will also attract people who haven’t volunteered before.”
Email volunteering@redcross.org.uk now