Community Ambassador

Volunteer Job Description

Community Ambassador

Volunteer Role Profile

Volunteer Role:  GYC’s Community Ambassador

Responsible to:  Development Manager (Fundraising, Marketing and Communications)

Hours:   You can give as much or as little time as you are able; hours will suit your personal circumstances

Where you will be based: Within your local community

Expenses: Travel and out of pocket expenses

About Gloucestershire Young Carers

GYC is engaged with over a 1000 young carers and young adult carers (aged 8 – 24 years) across Gloucestershire, caring for a family member experiencing long term illness, disability, mental ill health and/or problematic substance misuse.

We work with and for young carers providing services enabling and supporting them to build on their strengths, achieve their aspirations and ensure a positive transition to adulthood. In volunteering for GYC you play a vital role in helping us to achieve this.

Purpose of the role

We are looking for enthusiastic, flexible volunteers who are willing to consider requests we may have, from helping at an organised events to supporting our campaigns or using their initiative to raise awareness of Gloucestershire Young Carers and the work we do in the community.

What you will be doing

• Raising awareness: A big part of your role will be carrying out research into community groups and businesses in your area, so that you can contact them to offer your services as a speaker, giving free talks about Gloucestershire Young Carers and our vital work.
• Although you will be committing as much or as little time as you can to the role, it would be desirable for you to spend a minimum of five hours per month researching and contacting organisations in your local community.
• Through your talks, you will engage and inspire support for GYC, and encourage involvement in our fundraising initiatives.
• You will have access to our Community Ambassador Toolkit, enabling you to deliver bespoke presentations to diverse communities and audiences of all ages.
• You will be keeping our Development Manager for Fundraising, Marketing and Communications up to date on your activities, including the contacts you’ve made and talks that you’ve arranged. In return, your Manager, along with our Volunteer Coordinator will be there to provide support, guidance and advice.
• You may also be asked to attend cheque presentations and local events on behalf of Gloucestershire Young Carers, officially thanking donors and hosts for their support.
• Always adhering to Gloucestershire Young Carers’s policies and procedures, including GYC's: Safeguarding; Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Health & Safety; Data Protection; Confidentiality; Recording policies and procedures. 
• Participating fully in training and supervision.
• Working within GYC's Basis and Value.

What we are looking for:

• Good communication skills and a friendly, positive attitude
• Reliability, commitment, and flexibility
• Ability to work on your own initiative or as part of a team
• Willingness to travel locally and consider travel of up to 30 miles
• Willingness to develop a basic understanding of the work of GYC
• Appropriate representation of GYC

The skills you need

• Friendly, positive and outgoing personality
• Tenacity and enthusiasm for sourcing talks and opportunities in your community and through your own networks
• Enthusiasm about Gloucestershire Young Carers and the work we do
• Good communication skills, and an interest/experience in public speaking
• Strong organisational skills, and an ability to work on own initiative and be proactive
• Access to the Internet and confidence in using it
• Flexibility

What you will gain from this opportunity:

• Full induction and training
• Other training opportunities relevant to the volunteer role
• Regular supervision and support
• Materials needed to undertake your role
• Out of pocket expenses agreed in advance
• The satisfaction of being part of an enthusiastic, supportive team
• A rewarding experience helping to make a difference in the lives of the young people GYC work with
• experience for your CV;
• supporting your local community
• meeting new people
• increasing self-confidence
• feeling like you are making a difference
• improving your health and wellbeing
• a chance to contribute to a worthwhile children’s charity