Volunteering
Volunteer Role Description
Thank you for your interest in joining Parkinson’s UK’s volunteer team. Volunteers started the
organisation in 1969 and are still central to the charity today. Roles vary from photography and
campaigning to educating and fundraising. If you join our team, we will aim to provide a rewarding
and worthwhile experience for you. All Parkinson’s UK volunteers must be aged 18 or over.
Volunteer role
Branch Vice Chair - Crawley and East Grinstead
Location
Crawley and surrounding (Home Based)
Time committment
Approx. 2 hours per week, sometimes more
What the role involves
Local groups are run across the UK by volunteers who have experience of Parkinson's.
They are aided by professional staff, and provide friendship and support to those living
with Parkinson's, their families and carers.
The Vice Chair supports the Chair, helps to motivate committee members and ensures
that all work is carried out effectively. The Crawley & East Grinstead Group is run by
volunteers who have experience of Parkinson's and are supported by professional staff.
The local group network offers friendship and support to everyone living with
Parkinson's, their families and carers across the UK. The group has various smaller
sub-groups locally. Committee meetings will take place approx 8 times per year in
Crawley Down.
As Vice Chair you will:
• keep up to date about the aims of Parkinson's UK, and make sure the group fullfils
them
• ensure regular committee meetings are held, and work to make committee members
feel involved and inspired
• be a creative and enthusiastic committee member, working to build the group's profile
locally and ensuring that it has a presence at regional events
• remain impartial and diplomatic during decision making processes
• fulfil the role and duties of the Chair in their absence
Volunteering Parkinson’s UK Volunteer Role Description
What you could get out of volunteering
Through this role you will:
• forge new friendships and meet new people, both in the group and in the local
community
• develop a supportive relationship with the Chair, allowing you to share ideas and insight
• build upon your leadership abilities and gain valuable teamwork and people skills
• do something useful and meaningful for your community and people who are affected by
Parkinson's in your area
• be a key part of the success of the group and take part in events
• learn about the work of a major health charity, and be an important part of the wider
Parkinson's UK network
What we’re looking for and why
In order to fullfil this role, you will:
• have strong supportive and communication skills, as you will be working a wide range
of different people
• be able to make impartial decisions, as sometimes opinions will differ and you will
need to take multiple views into consideration
• have a positive, energetic attitude and thrive on motivating others to enjoy their work
and keep the bigger picture in sight
• be able to chair meetings effectively and address groups of people in the absence of
the Chair
• ideally have IT skills as this will make communicating with the group and relevant staff
easier
Occasional attendance at training, events and meetings outside normal committee
meetings may be required.
Volunteering Parkinson’s UK Volunteer Role Description
Training and support provided
You will receive an induction to Parkinson's UK covering a range of topics to help you
learn more about Parkinson's, the charity and the practicalities of volunteering.
Ongoing contact and any additional support you need will be provided throughout your
role by Parkinson's UK staff.
References
We ask volunteers to provide details of a referee for some of our volunteer roles. This is to
Does this role require a reference? Yes
✔
No
Volunteer expenses
of expenses incurred when carrying out their volunteering activities on our behalf. As a
volunteer you can claim out-of-pocket expenses in line with Parkinson’s UK’s Volunteer
Expenses Policy.
Criminal record checks
Some of our volunteer roles are classed as regulated activities supporting vulnerable people,
and volunteers applying for these roles will be asked to undertake a criminal records check.
This is at no cost to the volunteer. Your Parkinson’s UK staff contact will provide you with
further information on this process.
Does this role require a criminal records check? Yes
No
✔
Have you any questions?
If you would like some more information or have any questions about this role, please
contact the Volunteering team on [email protected] or telephone
020 7963 9328. You can also visit our website parkinsons.org.uk/volunteer.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering as part of our team!
Volunteering Parkinson’s UK Volunteer Role Description
© Parkinson’s UK, October 2015 (RD2015). Parkinson’s UK is the operating name of the Parkinson’s Disease
Society of the United Kingdom. A charity registered in England and Wales (258197) and in Scotland (SC037554).