Volunteer Role: Rainbow Families Project Volunteer
Support Person / Benn Benjamin, Development Worker (Rainbow Families)Role Purpose / Toassist with the running of our Rainbow Families Project, which includes events and support for LGBTQI families. Along with a member of staff (and possibly other volunteers), you will help with the delivery of Rainbow Families events (quarterly), and parents/carers information events (quarterly)including talking with parents/carers and children and helping to create a safe space for people or all ages to socialise in. You will also assist with publicity and planning for events and other services related to the Rainbow Families Project.
Specific Tasks / This role requires a quarterly commitment of approx.12 -18 hours. Rainbow Families events take place in a variety of settings both in and outdoor on a quarterly basis. The times of these events vary but average at around 4 hours per event with a couple of hours’ planning time at some point beforehand.
- Welcome new people
- Talk to adults (parents/caregivers) and help them feel comfortable and included
- Talk to children and help them feel comfortable and included
- Play and interact with children where required
- Help facilitate introductions and conversations
- Help set up event space, including activities & catering
- Promote LGBT Health & Wellbeing activities and services
- Alert staff to any concerns
- Uphold safe space and confidentiality of individuals
- Take responsibility for performing role in professional and safe way
Skills and Qualities Needed /
- You must be 18yrs+ for this role
- Good communication skills, especially the ability to include people in group conversation
- Enthusiasm, reliability, integrity
- Experience of working with children
- Comfortable working around and communicating with young people, children and babies
- Some knowledge or experience of LGBTQI communities, including those who may be particularly marginalised and vulnerable
- Commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space
- Ability to work as part of a team, working alongside staff and other volunteers, as well as using own initiative
Commitment / Approx. 12 hours each quarter (3 months)
Support and Training /
- All volunteers are required to attend a 5 hour Induction Training course around the policies and ethos of the organisation and working with our clients
- Volunteers will be given ongoing individual support and 1:1 Support and Supervision from a named staff member approx. every 6 months
- Outside these meetings any issues of concern should be raised with your named person or Service Manager
- Ongoing training opportunities around relevant issues will be offered
- Reimbursement for public transport costs to and from Rainbow Families events
Expectations of Volunteers /
- Willingness to abide by LGBT Health and Wellbeing’s Policies
- Willingness to use support systems
- Commitment to attend on-going support meetings and training
- Punctuality. Reliability in communication, especially to provide advance notice if unable to attend an event.
- Supervisor will arrange for volunteer to complete a full PVG disclosure and only if assessed as satisfactory will they be permitted to volunteer
- Volunteers should not drink alcohol or consume illicit drugs before or during Rainbow Families events.
Location of volunteering / Support and Supervision will be based at LGBT Health and Wellbeing, 12 Queen’s Crescent, Glasgow or other locations as discussed with supervisor. Rainbow Families event locations vary but will take place in family settings in or around Glasgow.