The charity employs nobody. Volunteers do the sorting, the washing, the packing and the driving, mostly in the evenings.
What volunteers do
Sorting and checking
Going through what has come in, checking condition, matching sizes, pulling out the things we cannot pass on. This is most of the work, and where we are shortest.
Laundry
Washing at home, in your own time, a bag at a time. This one suits you if you cannot commit to a fixed slot.
Packing
Making up a bundle against a referral. You take a pile of donations and turn it into something a family can use that week, which most volunteers find the best part of the job.
Driving
Collections and deliveries around [AREA]. You need a car, insurance that covers voluntary work, and a clean licence. We cover fuel.
Behind the scenes
Fundraising, grant applications, social media, keeping the stock list honest. If you have done any of this in a job, we can use you.
What we ask
- Turn up when you said you would, or tell us you cannot
- Keep what you see to yourself. You will handle referrals with families’ names on them
- [X HOURS] a [WEEK / FORTNIGHT / MONTH]. Two hours you can keep to beats ten you cannot
You need no experience with babies, no car and no qualification. Several of our most useful volunteers have not changed a nappy in their lives.
Checks
Most roles need no check, because most volunteers meet no families. [CONFIRM WHICH ROLES REQUIRE DBS. Typically drivers delivering to homes, and anyone handling referral data.] Where a check is needed we arrange it and we pay for it.
How to start
Email chair@avonvalleybabybank.org.uk and say roughly when you are free and what you fancy doing. We have no form and no interview. Come along once and see whether it suits you.