Volunteering
Here at the DSA we always welcome any help that members of the public can provide in their spare time. The DSA, just like any charity, is always on the look out for an extra pair of hands because there is always work to be done! If you would like to volunteer your time to help the Down's Syndrome Association in its fight for the rights of people with Down's Syndrome, then you can fill out a form and send it to us. We will then get back to you as soon as possible with feedback. The form is available as a Microsoft Word 97 document. You can also read a quote from one of our volunteers so you can get a feel for what volunteering for us is really like!
Posts available at present: (please click for full descriptions)
If you cannot see a position that interests you, then why not try your hand at fundraising which is another vital way in which you can show your support for the Association.
Volunteers Quote
Erica Youngren, who helps the Fundraising Team for one afternoon each week, shares with us her experience of volunteering:
"My first volunteer job lasted one week. I was twelve, and had decided to spend every afternoon helping out at a local hospital. Seven days later, I missed my free time, my favourite television shows, and my friends, so I quit. Seventeen years, and one trans-Atlantic move later, I decided to try again. My younger sister has Down's Syndrome and my mother has been a strong disabilities advocate; thinking of them in America inspired me to get in touch with the DSA. Six months later, I am still committed to the DSA. Now it's the members who inspire me, not to mention the perks: unlimited coffee and tea, chocolate-covered biscuits (very inspiring), and a friendly and helpful staff team. But, most significantly, it's a chance to do what I can for a cause that I care about."
Erica helps the Fundraising Team with organising materials requests, sending parachuting information packs and general administrative support. We are grateful to all our volunteers for offering their time and support.
If you would like to volunteer your time for the DSA please call Ann Kenney on (or ).
Fundraising Events Support
Brief role of volunteer:
This placement is for volunteers who want to give up time at weekends and evenings to help attend fundraising events. These would be a variety of events from welcoming our Marathon runners at a reception, and helping fundraising groups, to helping man stalls at fairs.
Qualities, skills or experience helpful to a volunteer in this role:
Good organisation skills
Good people skills
Willingness and enthusiasm to do whatever is required to ensure the people raising money are supported and inspired
What you would gain from being a volunteer :
If you like people more than office work you will gain a lot more from this type of volunteering. You can even get involved in the events yourself to make it more fun, but helping those who work hard to support people with Down's syndrome is very rewarding.
What the Down's Syndrome Association would gain from your involvement:
At present we do not have the resources to support all of our fundraising events even though we really value the support of all our external fundraisers. Keen volunteers with time and energy to spare will help the Down's Syndrome Association get more from its fundraisers and give them the support they deserve.
N.B. Full training and supervision will be given although the best way to learn is to do it yourself!!
Fundraising Office Support
Brief role of volunteer:
We need help in a busy office, doing filing, photocopying, letter writing, inputting data onto our database, assembling fundraising packs, mailing updates to all our fundraisers and generally providing support to a very busy team of four.
Qualities, skills or experience helpful to a volunteer in this role:
Office skills/ good common sense
Computer skills or the willingness to learn these
A good telephone manner
A keen interest in people
Basic literacy and numeracy skills would be helpful
Energy and enthusiasm to get stuck in!
What you would gain from being a volunteer :
A volunteer working in the fundraising department would gain a rounded view of all the activities of the department. Alongside this there would also be experience in the following areas: organising events, thanking and receiving donations, managing paperwork and encouraging our supporters.
What the Down's Syndrome Association would gain from your involvement:
The many jobs within a small fundraising team are often too numerous to handle. Volunteers would make our organisation more efficient by providing resources and skills and by helping to keep costs down.
N.B. Full training and supervision will be given.