Make a difference New volunteer strategy The EAAA has appointed Victoria Pank to the new role of Volunteer Programme Development Manager to expand the Charity’s volunteer programme and ensure it’s run in line with best practice and current legislation. Victoria has worked for two other charities gaining extensive experience in volunteer management. Victoria said: “My role is to look at how we can expand the volunteer programme here at EAAA and make it the best it can be. As a charity we are really looking to diversify our volunteer force and to get volunteers involved in all areas of the organisation. The Charity continues to go through a time of great change and excitement so there really is no better time to join us. Historically volunteers have mainly been involved in fundraising activities and whilst this is hugely important to the Charity’s survival we want to start offering additional, more diverse opportunities to volunteers.” In driving the programme forward Victoria is creating opportunities for volunteers that range from short term tasks and projects to more regular long-term commitments. Victoria added: “Volunteers always have been and always will be an integral part of the Charity and we really couldn’t do what we do without the support of all our dedicated volunteers. If you have some time to give we would love to hear from you. Equally if you have a particular skill you think could benefit us please do get in touch. We are always open to new ideas.” You can find out more about volunteering opportunities in the How to help us feature on page 20 or visit our website – www.eaaa.org.uk/volunteer. Victoria can be contacted on 01603 269320 or by email: victoria.pank@eaaa.org.uk. 10 Lift off
Volunteer focus: Martine Silkstone Martine, from Suffolk, joined the Communications Team as a volunteer in our Cambridge office in April this year. Giving up her time for two days a week in the office, she is a huge asset to the team by contributing her skills in many ways including writing and marketing and learning new ones along the way. Why volunteer for EAAA? I had followed the work of the East Anglian Air Ambulance for years through the website and Facebook page and when I saw that it was possible to volunteer, I jumped at the chance to be part of such an amazing charity. Communications and marketing is an area I am very interested in working in and this is great experience to add to my CV which I hope might help me get a job in this field in future. You only have to read the Charity’s tagline to find the motivation to help: ‘We need you today, you may need us tomorrow’. Although fortunate enough to not have needed their services myself (as yet), just recently they attended a car accident near my house where a neighbour had been hurt and needed to be airlifted to hospital – that could so easily have been me or one of my family. It is an honour to make a contribution, however small, to a charity which saves lives.
What does your role involve? I volunteer for EAAA Communications and there is a good variety of work to be done, from social media and marketing to writing articles for local publications and parish magazines. I have even taken pictures of the helicopter and crew! It has been a great learning experience and I have really been made to feel like a part of the team. After many years working for myself doing the same job, it has been such fun to do something new and have lovely colleagues to chat to.
What is the best bit about your role? It’s hard to say which is the ‘best bit’. I have really enjoyed having the chance to write articles and receive support and feedback from the communications team – it’s something I have always wanted to do but not really had the opportunity to do before – and working within such a friendly team is lovely. It is fair to say, however, that I really enjoy visits to the Crew Room and jump at any chance to sit in the helicopter.
Would you recommend volunteering for EAAA? I think that there is sometimes a view of volunteering which is quite limited, but there are many opportunities to use whatever skills you may have, in a wide variety of roles across the Charity. You can even try something a little different, like me. So, the best advice I can give to someone thinking of volunteering is ‘do it!’ It is great fun and it feels good to be doing something worthwhile.
Communications volunteer Martine Silkstone