VOLUNTEER MYTH BUSTERS
Volunteers we need you!!
Verity exists because of volunteers. All the Trustees, advisors, professionals and supporters are ALL volunteers. Verity exists because of volunteers. We would not be able to do a thing without volunteers who give as much time as they can to sustain and develop the charity.
Q I have never volunteered for a charity. You need special skills don't you?
A All you need is enthusiasm, a wish to make a difference and a willingness to have a "go"
Q What happens when I volunteer?
A When you volunteer you will have a very informal and friendly chat with one of the Trustees. We will want to find out from you your work and life experiences and any qualifications you may have. We will then match you to a task or project that the charity needs support on. Anything you do you will receive support from day one from a Trustee so you can do the things that Verity needs.
Q What activities might I get involved in?
A Anything from creating information packs to post out, setting up a local group, raising the profile of Verity on social media , completing media interviews, helping with charity functions such as fund raising, organising PCOS Awareness Week. The list is endless and there is always plenty to do. Any extra hands really does make a difference.
Q How do I benefit?
A In many ways!! Meeting women with PCOS, developing and gaining new skills,raising the profile and awareness of PCOS, maintaining and developing the National Charity for women with PCOS, meeting experts in their fields, representing Verity at exhibitions eg The Fertility Show. The list is endless.
Q It must involve a lot of time and expense?
A How much time is up to you. The charity is totally reliant on volunteers and everyone commits the time they can spare. Just let us know when you volunteer how much time you can realistically give eg few hours a week and when you can commit that time eg weekends or evenings. Knowing this helps Verity to identify tasks and projects that suit your time commitments. As a volunteer you will not need to attend meetings unless it would be helpful for you to feed back work completed. As Verity has no office or paid staff all the work and contact is via email, telephone or social media. Any reasonable and agreed in advance expenses can be claimed when completing charity businesses eg a train ticket.
Q How can I become a Trustee?
A Most Trustees were volunteers for a while before becoming a Trustee. We think this is the best way so that you know realistically what it entails, being sure in yourself that you can dedicate the time and commitment required and being fully aware of the responsibilities. We always welcome new Trustees so we can constantly develop the charity. If, you would like to be come a Trustee please let any current Trustee know.
Verity exists because of volunteers. All the Trustees, advisors, professionals and supporters are ALL volunteers. Verity exists because of volunteers. We would not be able to do a thing without volunteers who give as much time as they can to sustain and develop the charity.
Q I have never volunteered for a charity. You need special skills don't you?
A All you need is enthusiasm, a wish to make a difference and a willingness to have a "go"
Q What happens when I volunteer?
A When you volunteer you will have a very informal and friendly chat with one of the Trustees. We will want to find out from you your work and life experiences and any qualifications you may have. We will then match you to a task or project that the charity needs support on. Anything you do you will receive support from day one from a Trustee so you can do the things that Verity needs.
Q What activities might I get involved in?
A Anything from creating information packs to post out, setting up a local group, raising the profile of Verity on social media , completing media interviews, helping with charity functions such as fund raising, organising PCOS Awareness Week. The list is endless and there is always plenty to do. Any extra hands really does make a difference.
Q How do I benefit?
A In many ways!! Meeting women with PCOS, developing and gaining new skills,raising the profile and awareness of PCOS, maintaining and developing the National Charity for women with PCOS, meeting experts in their fields, representing Verity at exhibitions eg The Fertility Show. The list is endless.
Q It must involve a lot of time and expense?
A How much time is up to you. The charity is totally reliant on volunteers and everyone commits the time they can spare. Just let us know when you volunteer how much time you can realistically give eg few hours a week and when you can commit that time eg weekends or evenings. Knowing this helps Verity to identify tasks and projects that suit your time commitments. As a volunteer you will not need to attend meetings unless it would be helpful for you to feed back work completed. As Verity has no office or paid staff all the work and contact is via email, telephone or social media. Any reasonable and agreed in advance expenses can be claimed when completing charity businesses eg a train ticket.
Q How can I become a Trustee?
A Most Trustees were volunteers for a while before becoming a Trustee. We think this is the best way so that you know realistically what it entails, being sure in yourself that you can dedicate the time and commitment required and being fully aware of the responsibilities. We always welcome new Trustees so we can constantly develop the charity. If, you would like to be come a Trustee please let any current Trustee know.
Trustee story: Alison
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I am Alison Wilcox, Deputy Chair of Verity. I started as a volunteer for Verity in 2002. Initially I helped with compiling information packs, advising on NHS policy and completing radio and magazine interviews. Later I became a Trustee and have remained a Trustee until today.
Personally I have gained so much from both volunteering and being a Trustee. I have met countless women with PCOS, their partners and families, to share stories. I have gained and developed lots of new skills in things I would never have done. Things such as media work and being interviewed, being an Ambassador for Verity at meetings eg HFEA; events eg Fertility Show, Houses of Parliament; gained IT skills, helping to organise and run our conferences, working with a whole host of professionals and associates to deliver patient life stories to train medical professionals and learnt how a charity works. Gaining exposure and experience in all these things has been of mutual benefit to Verity, women with PCOS and myself. I am proud to be a Trustee for Verity, an Ambassador for women with PCOS. I am really proud that I can make the difference to the women's health agenda and the support available to women with PCOS. You too can make that difference. Why not volunteer!! |
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