Pain Concern (Midlothian)
Pain Concern is a charity providing information and support to people with pain and
those who care for them, whether family, friends or healthcare professionals. Visit
our website to find out more about what we do, including our Airing Pain radio
programme, Pain Matters magazine, information helpline and online community.
All pain is unpleasant, but for the one in five people in the UK living with long-term
pain it is a part of everyday life. It diminishes quality of life more than any other
condition, leading often to loss of work, depression and disability. Anyone at any
age can develop persistent pain and you will very probably know somebody
affected. Although there is usually no cure, people who receive the appropriate
treatment, information and support can manage their condition effectively with lifechanging results.
Current opportunities
We are looking for committed and empathetic volunteers to support people who are living with, or affected by chronic pain who access our phone, online forum and e-help support services.
This is a great opportunity to enhance your communication skills and develop an understanding of pain self-management, while providing a valued service to people living with long-term pain. By joining us you will join a fast-growing and respected service.
Due to the nature of the role, successful applicants will be required to undertake a PVG check.
What you would be doing:
· Offer emotional support and signpost resources and information to people affected by persistent pain either by phone, email or on the online forum
· You will work as part of a team of volunteers, covering a rota, ability to commit to shifts is essential
· Attend training/supervision sessions remotely
· Keep up to date with Pain Concern news and work across the UK
· Complete ‘after contact’ survey to support Pain Concern’s evaluation targets.
We would like volunteers to commit to for at least 12 months (including the training period), with the acknowledgement that your circumstances may change.
Are you looking to build your skills in web development?
This voluntary role provides an opportunity to gain and develop skills whilst doing
something worthwhile.
What you would be doing:
• Update and maintain the charity’s website
• Work with the project coordinator to improve the tagging and SEO of the
website
• Work closely with the media team, ensuring all posts and pages are uploaded
correctly
• Troubleshoot any issues with the website
• Over time, development of the charity’s website to improve user experience
You can download and complete an application from our website at
https://painconcern.org.uk/volunteer-for-pain-concern/
Are you seeking experience in publishing? Be a part of the team editing, writing and commissioning
content for the magazine, website, leaflets, etc. of Pain Concern. The editorial team undertake all
the editorial jobs involved in converting text to publication. Some writing will be involved, but the
focus for this role is on ‘editing’ rather than ‘journalism.’ As a member of Pain Concern’s editorial
team, you will assist our Managing Editor. By joining us you will join a fast-growing and respected
service.
You will be part of a team, editing, writing and commissioning content for the magazine, newsletter,
website, leaflets, etc. of Pain Concern. The editorial jobs involved in converting text to publication
include:
• Copy-editing
• Editing transcripts of interviews to produce copy ready for publication.
• Working with authors
• Working with our advisers
• Proof reading
Permissions and acknowledgements
• Indexing and working with indexers
• Bibliographical references
• Working with designers
• Corrections and maintaining an archive
• Researching information about pain and related topics
You can download an application form from our website https://painconcern.org.uk/volunteer-for-pain-concern/
Pain Concern is looking for volunteers to help moderate the charity’s online community on the Health Unlocked platform. Our forum provides peer support and a learning environment for people living with chronic pain and those who care for them. Forum moderators follow Health Unlocked guidance, creating a great culture and setting the tone for the forum.
As a volunteer moderator you will help to ensure that our online community is maintained as a safe, supportive and fun environment.
You will gather information on what issues are important to forum users. You will help to monitor and moderate user-generated content. By joining us you will join a fast-growing and respected service.
Due to the nature of the role, successful applicants will be required to undertake a PVG check and complete a 1hr Safeguarding online course.