Meningitis Now Volunteering leaflet

We can support you by: • Establishing and building on your volunteering interests • Giving you the opportunity to improve your knowledge, skills and experience • Providing structured volunteering opportunities and training • Updating you regularly on Meningitis Now activity • Reimbursing agreed costs incurred

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award

Volunteering in numbers

We distributed

1.5 million symptoms cards and information

68

talks were given

We have been awarded the prestigious award in recognition of our volunteering programme and the support we provide our volunteers. It’s wonderful to receive this recognition. Our volunteers are at the heart of the charity and everything we do.

Want to join the team?

We would love to hear from you; either email the team at volunteerdevelopment@meningitisnow.org, call our Volunteer Manager on 0845 120 0664 or visit www.MeningitisNow.org and apply online.

Meningitis Now, Fern House, Bath Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 3TJ

Volunteering

We have

319 regional

59

Ambassadors and Team Leaders

events attended

146

cheques collected

volunteer numbers increased by

£150,000

value to Meningitis Now

Join our volunteer team and help us achieve our Vision – a future where no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need to rebuild their lives.

Registered Charity Number 803016 (England & Wales) SC037790 (Scotland) ©Meningitis Now 2014

Volunteer 23,677 for hours were donated by Meningitis Now volunteers and help make a difference today

Volunteer with us Meningitis Now is a new charity with almost 30 years’ experience – leading the fight against meningitis in the UK. We were formed in 2013, by bringing together Meningitis UK and Meningitis Trust.

We save lives by funding research into vaccines and prevention, reducing the impact by raising awareness and rebuilding futures with our dedicated support.

There are lots of ways you can become a volunteer for Meningitis Now. Each volunteering opportunity is vital to the work of the charity to ensure that all communities are aware of meningitis, its impact and our life-enhancing services.

We need help from volunteers, so that we can make a difference to people in the UK. Volunteers are invaluable to us. They work as part of a fantastic team across the UK and we simply couldn’t do what we do without their ongoing support and generosity.

Together we can be united in the fight against meningitis.

How you can help Our volunteer roles are varied, but no matter which role(s) is right for you, and the time you have available, one thing is sure – you will be making a difference. Wherever you are in the UK, you can help us: • • • • • •

Distribute our literature in your local community Give talks to local community groups and schools Share your story with the local media Assist at an event local to you Become a collection tin co-ordinator Provide administrative support – either at our office in Stroud or virtually • Become a Volunteer Team Leader

What can volunteering do for you?

• • • • •

An opportunity for you to make a real difference Learn valuable new skills Add a vital aspect to your CV Help improve your confidence and self-esteem Provide a vital stepping stone back to full employment or study • Give you an insight into the work of the voluntary sector • Enables you to give something back to your local community • Meet new people By giving a little of your time, you can help us to help those affected by meningitis. Just a few hours a month can make an amazing difference.

What our volunteers say Carole Todd – “Virtual volunteering is a delight, my work is always appreciated and I hope the background information I provide gives the fundraisers the groundwork to enable donations to flood in.”

Phil & Sheila Scott – “This charity is like one

big family, they always say thank you for whatever we do and make us feel part of a wonderful team – we started off as strangers but have become great friends.”

Linda Helliker - “I don’t know what I would have

done without the charity’s support after the death of my granddaughter – volunteering enables me to give something back and means something positive has come out of something negative.”

Mary Garley – “I volunteer in many ways;

distributing literature, attending awareness fairs, promoting and assisting with Toddle Waddle events, London Marathon and more. Volunteering is my therapy. I gain so much from it and I always try to be there when I am needed.”

Rose Gowan – “After 30 harrowing days in

hospital with our daughter, we were so grateful for the support from the charity that we have actively involved ourselves in raising awareness and fundraising since that time. We are committed to helping Meningitis Now in any way we can to give something back.”