How we support you

New volunteers are invited to attend a Welcome Workshop and, sometimes additional training, which is specific to the role that you are involved in, will be provided. The aim of these sessions is to give you the confidence and knowledge you need to be a Breast Cancer Care volunteer. We’ll also be on hand to offer you lots of support.

A volunteer manager or a nominated member of staff will support you if you have questions or queries. For some roles you will be given a ‘buddy’ so that you can talk to another volunteer who has been involved in similar activities. When you are doing something for the first time, you may be accompanied by a volunteer who has done this activity before (shadowing). If you are asked to represent the organisation you will be briefed and supported by the most relevant member of staff. You may also need to attend ongoing training to keep your skills fresh, and to help you to develop as a Breast Cancer Care volunteer.

We’ll need you to tell us what you do for us on a regular basis. This means sending us monthly activity reports and expense forms. This information helps us show the impact you have as well as providing crucial information which helps us plan our work.

Expenses

We will refund certain expenses incurred as a result of your volunteering activity. There is a lot more information about claiming expenses in the Breast Cancer Care Volunteer Policy Handbook but we reimburse reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. So things like your travel expenses, and sometimes refreshments, can be reimbursed. To claim you must make sure you keep your receipts and send them in to us. If you aren’t sure something is going to be covered check with a volunteer manager or member of staff before you incur costs.

Networks

For some roles you will be linked to a network once you start volunteering. Networks give volunteers the opportunity to meet with one another face to face, for encouragement and motivation and to share experiences.

Sometimes, a network can be spread over quite a wide geographic area. Most networks aim to meet at least four times a year (some of which can be teleconferences). In between times volunteers can keep in touch with each other by telephone or email.

Volunteer policies

Please refer to the Breast Cancer Care Volunteer policy handbook for details of all of the relevant policies relating to volunteering. You will find all that you need to know about things like health and safety, confidentiality, equal opportunities and insurance. There is also a summary of relevant key policies in the section ‘Key policies and guidance’.

Communications

We are very privileged in having such a large volunteer base that represent all different aspects of the breast cancer experience. We are also fortunate in having very committed and passionate volunteers who seek to support the organisation in achieving its aims and objectives. The future for Breast Cancer Care looks very promising if we are able to continue to harness this volunteer commitment and passion to make a difference to the lives of people affected by breast cancer. We try our best to communicate clearly with all of our volunteers in a variety of ways, To support you and keep you involved with the work we undertake when you are supporting clients.

Volunteer toolkit

Issued to all volunteers on completion of training, containing information on Breast Cancer Care’s key messages. We aim to update this every six months.

Volunteer bulletin

A six-monthly publication sent to all volunteers, highlighting volunteers’ activities, reporting of local and national events as well as other volunteer achievements.

Volunteer forum

A private section on Breast Cancer Care website, giving volunteers across the UK the opportunity to be able to log in and follow or join the forum discussions.

Volunteer conference

Held once a year, in each regional location, where volunteers are invited to learn about the current work that Breast Cancer Care is undertaking. This is a great opportunity to network with other volunteers and share experiences.