Responsible to: Operations & Befriending Lead

Expected hours: Flexible - volunteers may help regularly or at occasional events and activities

Expenses: Agreed out-of-pocket expenses may be claimed in line with Gosport Community Support procedures. (Claiming expenses is entirely optional.)

Purpose of the role

To support Gosport Community Support with fundraising, community events and activities that raise awareness of our work.

Fundraising is vital to the sustainability of our services and helps us continue supporting older and vulnerable people across our local community.

This is a varied and flexible role. Volunteers can get involved occasionally at individual events or become more regularly involved in helping us plan and develop fundraising activities.

Main responsibilities

Depending on your interests, skills and availability, you may help with:

• Supporting GCS fundraising events and activities.
• Helping at community events, information stands and stalls.
• Setting up and packing away at events.
• Welcoming and talking to members of the public.
• Selling raffle or event tickets where appropriate.
• Helping with raffles, tombolas and other fundraising activities.
• Preparing signs, information, materials or equipment for events.
• Helping promote forthcoming events and fundraising activities.
• Approaching local businesses and organisations for agreed support, sponsorship or raffle prizes.
• Helping identify potential fundraising opportunities.
• Suggesting and developing new fundraising ideas.
• Helping organise individual events or activities.
• Supporting online or community fundraising campaigns.
• Helping distribute posters, leaflets or other publicity.
• Representing Gosport Community Support positively within the local community.
• Helping thank businesses, organisations and individuals who support our work.

Volunteers will not necessarily undertake all of these activities. Tasks can be matched to individual interests, skills and availability.

What we are looking for

No previous fundraising experience is required.

We are looking for volunteers who are:

• Friendly, enthusiastic and approachable.
• Reliable and willing to get involved.
• Comfortable working as part of a team.
• Happy talking to members of the public.
• Supportive of the aims and work of Gosport Community Support.
• Able to follow agreed procedures and instructions.
• Respectful when representing the charity within the community.

Depending on the activities you would like to support, it may also be helpful to have:

• Creative ideas.
• Organisational or event-planning skills.
• Social media or promotional experience.
• Confidence approaching businesses and organisations.
• Experience of fundraising or community engagement.
• Local knowledge and community connections.

None of these additional skills are essential.

Safeguarding, confidentiality and boundaries

Although this is not primarily a frontline support role, volunteers may meet service users or vulnerable members of the community at events.

Any safeguarding or wellbeing concerns should be passed promptly to the appropriate member of the GCS team.

Any personal or confidential information encountered while volunteering must be handled in accordance with Gosport Community Support’s confidentiality and data protection procedures.

Checks, training and support

All volunteers will receive an appropriate induction and ongoing support.

Volunteers will be briefed before events and given the information and guidance they need for the activities they are undertaking.

References and any other checks appropriate to the volunteer’s particular duties will be completed where required.