Opening Doors London Ambassadors

Introduction

Opening Doors London (ODL) is the largest charity providing information and support services with and for older lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans* (LGBTQ+) people in the UK. Established in 2008 ODL now operates across all of London. We offer support through social groups and activities, special events and befriending services. We operate an extensive volunteer service, and work with strategic partners to promote and support our service. Our mission is to combat and overcome loneliness and isolation in older LGBTQ+ communities in London and beyond.

Role Outline:

ODL has a commitment to ensuring that the voice of the older LGBT*community is heard – by both service providers and policy makers. Our Ambassador programme is about supporting members use their skills and experience to do this.

Opening Doors London Ambassadors are older LGBT* people who want to volunteer with us and are confident about talking about the needs and experience of older LGBT* community. Our Ambassadors make a significant contribution to the external representation and influence of ODL, and in doing so to raising the share of the voice of Older LGBT* people in policy, research and the media.

We are looking for Ambassadors to undertake the following:

  • Promote Opening Doors London at events and panels
  • Train as volunteer Trainers and/or provide support to our training team by attending training sessions
  • Spread the word about Opening Doors London – both within the LGBT* communities and mainstream organisations.
  • Assist with ODL stalls at various events.

Duties:

  • Become familiar with the work of Opening Doors London
  • In consultation with Opening Doors London staff team, research organisations which welcome outside speakers at meetings, events, panels, AGMs, research groups etc.
  • Contact relevant organisations and ask to speak at one of their meetings
  • Take on talks which are booked directly through Opening Doors London
  • Deliver talks which engage and motivates the audience
  • Adapt talks to include new messages or time-specific information as communicated by the Communications Officer
  • Make sure all donations, fundraising and volunteering queries are passed back to Opening Doors London team promptly for follow-up
  • Keep abreast of the activities of fellow ODL Ambassadors by attending our bi-monthly Ambassador Forum
  • Provide feedback on outcomes of the events for ODL records

Personal qualities most suited to the role:

  • Good cultural sensitivity to and understanding of the histories, needs and complexities of LGBT* communities in the UK
  • Committed to and competent in member, volunteer and organisation confidentiality, and mindful of Information Governance policy
  • Able to operate flexibly as part of the ODL operations team in which most of the members work part time hours and whose responsibilities sometimes overlap
  • Ability to volunteer using own initiative as required
  • Well organised and be able to prioritise tasks
  • Requirement to undertake the ODL Induction training and follow guidelines and policies of Opening Doors London

Hours of Volunteering:

  • By arrangement

Responsible to:

  • ODL Campaigns and Communications officer

Support and Supervision:

  • Travel and other approved expenses are reimbursed to volunteers
  • Relevant information and speaker notes will be provided
  • Support via bi-monthly Ambassador Forum

Training:

  • Induction to ODL Volunteer Procedures

Benefits to the volunteer:

  • It's good for you.
  • An opportunity to use your skills and experience – and supporting a great cause!
  • Volunteering strengthens our communities and you get a chance to give back
  • It promotes personal growth and self esteem
  • Contributing to the development of ODL
  • Raising the profile of the needs and experience of older LGBT* community
  • You make a difference!

Recruitment Procedure:

  • Application Form
  • References
  • Disclosure & Barring Check
  • Attending Induction

Volunteers will need to complete all induction and training before a final decision regarding their suitability for volunteering is made.

Please apply to