Volunteers are crucial to the work of ShelterBox – without them we would not be able to function. Furthermore, the high level of support we receive from our volunteers enables us to keep our operating costs low and means a very high percentage of income goes directly on the aid itself.
Below are some of the ways in which volunteers support ShelterBox.
IT
Volunteers assist with various IT tasks at our headquarters in Helston. This could be anything from creating and updating Excel spreadsheets, to creating newsletters, to coordinating webinars.
Because of the confidential nature of some of this work, volunteers need to be prepared to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and be able to get to our headquarters in Helston, Cornwall. They also need to have some availability between Monday and Friday, 9-5.
London
We have a fantastic team of proactive volunteers in London who assist with, and organise their own fund and awareness raising events in the capital. Volunteers in this area can do anything from planning and running their own event, to behind-the-scenes tasks such as advertising; there really is something for everyone! We have a small office in central London that supports our volunteers in the area.
Warehouse
Volunteers prepare the content and boxes for packing. Preparation includes assembling the school packs, sticking stickers on the boxes and making the handles. Volunteers also pack the boxes, with each person having a specific task within a packing line. Content needs to be packed in order and with precision to ensure it all fits in with no breakages. This opportunity is based at headquarters in Helston, Cornwall, where all ShelterBoxes are packed.
Speakers
We have volunteer speakers across the UK and Ireland. These individuals deliver presentations about our work to a variety of groups eg schools, businesses, scouts etc. Speakers often use a demonstration ShelterBox so that they can present the kit to their audience. There are opportunities across the UK and Ireland.
Admin Volunteer Support
Admin volunteers carry out a variety of duties including assisting with huge mail-outs, typing documents, replenishing resources (laminating, photocopying etc.) and filing. This is a massive support to our team. Because of the confidential nature of some of this work volunteers need to be prepared to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and be able to get to our headquarters in Helston, Cornwall. They also need to have some availability between Monday and Friday, 9-5.
ShelterBox Warehouse Tour Guides
Volunteers assist with the delivery of warehouse tours at our headquarters in Helston, Cornwall. Applicants must therefore live reasonably locally. We provide tours for members of the public or organised groups who have an interest in finding out about ShelterBox and what we do at our headquarters. Tours are very important to us as raising our profile is a vital element of our work. As a tour ‘guide’ you would be responsible for taking an individual or a group of up to 26 people around our warehouse, telling them all about what we do.
Merchandise Volunteers
Volunteers attend events across Cornwall to talk to members of the public about the work of ShelterBox and to sell our merchandise.
Academy
The academy staff train our Response Team members and also run external training courses. Our academy is on The Lizard in Cornwall and volunteers assist with anything from pre and post course paperwork, to preparing and unpacking kit, to site maintenance.
For more information on the above opportunities, including whether we are recruiting within your area of interest at present, please telephone the Volunteering Development Coordinator on 01326 569782 or email volunteering@shelterbox.org. Please make it clear in your correspondence which opportunity/opportunities are of interest to you.
We very much look forward to hearing from you.
A massive thank you to all potential and existing volunteers.
ShelterBox Response Team members (SRT members)
During crises we receive hundreds of requests from people wanting to travel with us to disaster areas and help deliver ShelterBoxes. Delivering emergency aid can be complex and requires significant skill and knowledge - everything from clearing customs to media liaison.
For these reasons, we cannot send untrained volunteers into disaster areas. Only our ShelterBox Response Team members can be deployed - they have completed our extensive training and selection programme, and are familiar with our operational procedures.
Click here for more details about SRT members.
Click here to be taken to our ‘Careers’ page where you can read about current voluntary internship opportunities.
