Volunteer Opportunities
This primarily home based volunteer role, involves creating bi-monthly Outreach community and residential services newsletters. The newsletter will reflect Outreach and Outreach service user involving news, events, activities, thoughts and feelings.
Example newsletter items include the Outreach annual ball, trips out, hub and other activities.
Tasks may include:
• Liaising and consulting with Outreach employees and volunteers.
• Gathering and organising of potential newsletter content.
• Drafting/composing Outreach newsletters.
• Forwarding draft newsletters for final editing.
• Ensuring positive Outreach newsletter message.
• Developing a consistent and ongoing Outreach newsletter look.
• Having an “idea friendly” approach, in developing the newsletter.
• Ensuring that the newsletter is ready on time.
• Inclusion of fun/interactive elements I.e. spot the difference, quiz etc.
• Ensuring the newsletter respects service user rights, and dignity.
• Respecting & adhering policies & procedures, I.e. data protection.
• Responding constructively to newsletter reader feedback.
This grid shows when you can volunteer for this opportunity.
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As with all Outreach volunteers, it is essential that they have a positive outlook and approach towards Outreach service users and staff. Above all else, Outreach volunteers should be person-centred, non-judgemental, professional, empowering, warm, friendly and empathic.
In terms of specific qualities and skills we are looking for volunteers who:
• Have a genuine and positive interest in mental health and learning difficulties.
• Be competent and self-sufficient in using IT.
• Have good working knowledge of newsletter related programs, i.e. publisher, word etc.
• Be able to write interesting newsletter copy/content in plain English
• Have the ability to act on own initiative, and work as part of a team.
• Be creative, and able to put forward new ideas.
• Have good listening and communication skills.
• Willing to accept and work with constructive feedback
• Friendly and approachable.
• Organised and have excellent time management skills.
• Able to communicate well both verbally and in writing.