Description
At CHAS we care for children throughout Scotland and we're here for the whole family. Whether at home, in hospital, or visiting us at Rachel or Robin House, we'll give families the care and support they need, when they need it. Driving is a big part of keeping CHAS running smoothly. Our retail driver’s help deliver items for sale in the shops, they also ensure our vehicles are safe and cover many thousands of miles every year.
What activities will I be involved in?
Driving CHAS vehicles/your own car
Collecting/delivering items between CHAS sites and supporters
Loading and unloading vehicles
General maintenance and checks, cleaning and refuelling vehicles
What skills and abilities will I need to have?
A friendly, professional manner
A full UK driving licence
Access to and use of own car and/or ability to drive CHAS vehicles
Good communication skills
Ability to represent CHAS positively
Physically capable of undertaking manual work
Adhere to rules around GDPR and a strong understanding of confidentiality
Shared values with the organisation
How much time should I offer?
You can volunteer on any day of the week from Monday-Friday. Flexible time commitment but ideally 4 hours per week.
Where is the opportunity based?
There is the potential to drive for CHAS across Scotland, however most opportunities are in Kinross and Dunfermline.
What ongoing learning/support/guidance will I receive?
It's important to us that you feel happy, safe and confident in your role. As a CHAS volunteer you will be invited to complete a short core learning package that is tailored to your role.
We are always developing new opportunities for volunteers to learn and offer a range of options for volunteers.
What are the benefits to me?
Learning new skills
Getting more involved and making a real difference to the families of children with a life-shortening condition.
Adding to your cv
Meeting new people
Having fun!
What are the benefits to the children and families supported by CHAS?
As a national charity it is vital that CHAS has excellent transport links. Drivers ensure the CHAS retail van is fuelled, clean and in good condition ready for the team to visit CHAS sites and transport stock. By transporting stock for sale you are enabling CHAS to raise funds to support children with a life-shortening condition. The funds raised allow us to develop our service to children and families, ensuring they get the care and support they need.
What else should I know?
Volunteers need to be aged 21 or over to drive a CHAS vehicle. You can volunteer under the age of 21 if you have access to your own car and a full UK driving license.
This role requires volunteers to apply for a basic disclosure through Disclosure Scotland. There is a simple form to complete and we will assist you with this. The process won’t cost you anything and having a criminal record will not automatically exclude you from volunteering. We will assess each applicant on an individual basis.
We will pay your out of pocket expenses in line with the CHAS volunteer expenses policy.
CHAS is committed to providing a quality volunteering experience to all volunteers free from discrimination and prejudice. Ensuring that CHAS is an equal, diverse, and inclusive organisation improve the quality of care we provide, help us reach more families and children, and maximise a wide variety of knowledge, experience and expertise.
We welcome volunteer applications from those who are refugees, asylum seekers, benefit claimants and those with a disability. We can provide more information on if you are allowed to volunteer and what adjustments we can put in place to ensure your volunteering experience is a positive one. You can contact us at volunteering@chas.org.uk.
What's the next step?
If you’re interested in the role you can apply online at https://www.chas.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/volunteer-application-form
Organisation aims and objectives
CHAS is the only charity in Scotland that provides vital hospice services for children and young people with life-shortening conditions. We offer care for the whole family in our two children's hospices, Rachel House in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch. We also run a homecare service called CHAS at Home helping families in their own homes across Scotland when they need it most. We are currently supporting over 300 families, as well as significant number of families who receive bereavement support. Our services are funded mainly through the generousity of our many supporters who help us to raise over £9million needed each year to provide these hospice services.
Restrictions
Minimum age: 21
Support
Expenses paid: Yes