Give the gift of your time and skills, and help us change the lives of children with eye cancer, survivors, and their families.
Volunteers make our work possible!! Without your support, we could not give children and survivors the hope and life-saving help they need. You can give your time and expertise in many ways.
For example, organizing a fundraiser, helping with graphic design or marketing projects, working with a group of people to plan and host a Family Day or One Rb World event, writing for our website, serving on our Board of Directors or a sub-committee, or supporting other work that directly benefits children, families, survivors, and those who care for them.
Our two-part blog from January 2023 describes how volunteers make our Family Days and One Rb World events possible.
Regular Volunteering
There are many ways you can volunteer with WE C Hope on a regular basis. For example, serving on the Board or a committee, helping to plan and host an event or awareness campaign, working on a marketing project or being an ambassador for the organization in your community.
Occasional Volunteering
Occasional volunteering gives you more flexibility with your time. For example, working on a one-off graphic design project, hosting a small, simple fundraiser or helping with a fundraising event someone else is organizing, or distributing awareness posters and fliers during World Retinoblastoma Week in May.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of volunteering activities can I become involved with?
You can volunteer in many different ways. How you volunteer will depend on what you would like to do and the amount of time you can give. Activities include fundraising and marketing, helping with event planning and hosting, writing for our website, and serving with the leadership team. Please contact us to discuss the possibilities.
Will I receive any training?
This will depend on the type of volunteering you choose. All training relevant to your role will be provided free of charge, and you will receive regular supervision – an informal chat to discuss how you are getting on, and any concerns you may have.
How much time would I be expected to give?
This depends on the type of volunteer role you choose. You can offer just a few hours to help at a fundraiser, or regular support each week to help with ongoing activities.
Will I be expected to make a regular commitment?
Many people have commitments and interests that prevent regular volunteering. We are flexible about the time you offer. We are happy to talk with you about the options to help you decide how much time you can give, and when.
Will I be required to handle money?
This depends on the nature of your role. If you are helping at a fundraising event, you may be asked to collect ticket fees or other monies. However, you will never work alone in this capacity. There are many ways you can help, so please choose the opportunities you feel most comfortable with.
Will it cost me any money to volunteer?
We will provide resources you need to fulfil your volunteer role. We can also reimburse out-of-pocket travel expenses for volunteers, on presentation of receipts.
Will you provide refreshments?
If you are volunteering at an event, you will have access to a hospitality space where volunteers can enjoy refreshments and a relaxing break.
Does volunteering affect social security payments?
Social security benefits in the UK, USA and Canada are not affected in any way by voluntary work. However, if you receive a job-seeker’s benefit, you must continue to actively seek paid work, in addition to your voluntary work. Let your Job advisory service know about your volunteering commitments, as they are required to give more notice when calling you to an interview. If you incur expenses in the process of volunteering, our refund to you will not affect your benefits.
Do I need to provide references or sign any forms?
This depends on your volunteer role. We will provide you with more information about this when we discuss the role together. If you are likely to be handling money, we will ask for a reference. If your role is likely to bring you into contact with children, you will be required to sign a criminal records disclosure form. All information we hold about you is confidential.
Will I be asked to attend an interview?
We like to get to know potential volunteers at an informal chat. This may be a telephone conversation or a face-to-face meeting. Our questions will vary according to the voluntary work are interest in, but you can expect some of the following questions.
- Why are you interested in volunteering with us?
- What types of voluntary work would you like to do?
- What skills do you feel you can offer WE C Hope?
- Are you hoping to develop any new skills through voluntary work?
- What skills would you like to develop?
- How much time are you able to give?
This meeting also enables you to meet us and ask questions about volunteering with WE C Hope. For example, you may wish to ask about expenses, training and supervision or further support
If you have more questions, please feel free to contact us.
Get Involved Today
Your gift of time and skills will be a rewarding investment and deeply valued by WE C Hope. Please check out our current specific needs or contact us. We would love to chat with you about the opportunities that fit your interests, skills and schedule, and our current needs.