About Diabetes UK
As the UK’s leading diabetes charity, it’s our job to tackle the diabetes crisis. We’re here to prevent Type 2 diabetes, campaign for and support everyone affected by diabetes, and fund research that will one day lead us to a cure.
About our Nailsea and Backwell Local Support Group
At Diabetes UK our local groups work in their local communities to connect and bring people living with and affected by diabetes together; supporting them to learn more about their condition and to know they are not on their own with their diabetes.
Please note that currently all face to face volunteering, meetings and activities are suspended until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the group is looking specifically to expand their online offer at this time.
Our Nailsea and Backwell Local Support Group is led by a formal committee of volunteer officers (treasurer and secretary) and volunteer committee members who together share tasks and co-ordinate activities. They are dedicated volunteers who want to make a difference for people affected by diabetes in their local community and are looking for like-minded people who can to help the group continue to grow and adapt with current circumstances, potentially moving more activities online and helping setting up digital meetings and support sessions.
The group currently (or usually) offer a range of support of people in their area:
- Keeping in touch – the group regularly keeps in touch with members by email or phone, checking in and offering support.
- Awareness events – the group usually support public events during Diabetes Awareness Week, National Diabetes Day and throughout the year. They are hoping to form local partnerships with other organisations such as The Leg Club and re-start awareness events with GP surgeries when they are able to do so.
- Campaigning and promotion – the group help raise awareness of current campaigns and services, and work to advertise and promote the group in their local community.
- Website and Facebook page– the group has a Diabetes UK website: https://nailsea-and-district.diabetesukgroup.org/ and Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1518947461682686/ which is updated by volunteers
- Fundraising – the group have been part of the Community Matters scheme with Waitrose
- Moving online – there is a possibility of the group increasing their online and digital support offer
By joining our Nailsea and Backwell group, you will be able to bring your energy, creativity and new ideas to make a real difference for people living with or at risk of diabetes. You will be part of a friendly group of people and will also be supported by the Diabetes UK regional staff team based in Taunton who will be on hand to help you settle into your role and can provide ongoing support and training.
Main tasks and other activities
- To get to know and work with existing volunteers who hold a range of responsibilities in the group
- Work with your local Diabetes UK team to agree and define the aims of your group and who it will target.
- Promote the group to potential new members.
- Organise and facilitate community activities in response to the preferences and needs of your group.
- To volunteer within the framework of the Local Group Agreement
About you
We are looking for someone who is:
- A friendly, approachable and proactive person who is interested in building new networks.
- Able to communicate and build strong relationships with people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
- Able to facilitate discussions and to help the group reach a consensus when planning activities.
- Self-motivated and engages with others without close supervision.
- Good with social media, with an ability to build an online presence and use new media to build online communities (optional).
What Diabetes UK can offer you
- The opportunity to be part of reaching and supporting more people living with diabetes.
- Learn more about diabetes and Diabetes UK with our Induction and ongoing training to enable you to volunteer with the group
- Regular communication with our friendly Diabetes UK South West team.
- Opportunity to meet and connect with other volunteers, join our regional online volunteer Get Togethers and annual conference or networking events.
- Opportunity to sign up to receive our free South West Round Robin volunteer newsletter and bi-annual Connect Magazine.
- The opportunity to learn new skills and share your experience, knowledge and expertise.
- Experience of volunteering within the charity sector.
- Reimbursement of out of office expenses incurred while carrying out activities for Diabetes UK, e.g. travel, lunch.
Safer Recruitment
We are committed to ensuring that our volunteer recruitment is fair, safe and consistent. The recruitment and selection process must therefore be appropriate to the nature of the role. Some roles may require a more in depth selection process, for example those working with children or vulnerable adults. We will be able to give you more information about this if applicable to your role.
This role will you to complete a Volunteer Application Form and to provide two references. If you wish to be the coordinator for the group you will also be required to complete a basic criminal records check. This is paid for by Diabetes UK.
How to apply and next steps
For more information about the role and how to apply, please contact the volunteering team at Diabetes UK, Victoria House, Victoria Street, Taunton, TA1 3FA. Telephone: Gemma Jackson, 07881 266 370 or email: south.west@diabetes.org.uk
Once you have completed the Volunteer Application Form, we will look to invite you to an informal interview. This 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 ask questions and decide if the role and group are right for you.