Why volunteerIf you feel that the work we do is important, if you would like to get involved and if you can give us your time, please volunteer. We need your help. |  |
Volunteering at Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) was founded by volunteers and the work done by people offering their time, commitment and experience as volunteers continues to be vital to the charity.
People volunteer to do all sorts of roles, from helping out for a few hours at a fundraising event to running the reception desk at a THT service centre for a couple of days a week. We train all our volunteers fully for the role that they choose, and we give them support and supervision to make sure that they are happy with the work that they are doing.
Why do people volunteer?
People volunteer to help us for all sorts of reasons, which may include:
- giving something back, because they have received our help and now want to use their experience to help others
- gaining skills to help get them into a particular area of paid work or study
- meeting people
- trying something new.
How volunteers help
The kind of help we need varies from centre to centre, and the ways that you can get involved will depend on the amount of time you have to give. Most centres have volunteers helping with fundraising, working on the reception desk, doing health promotion in the community, supporting people as a buddy and giving advice on housing, immigration and benefits. However, there are lots of other roles as well.
Positive participation
Our charity is committed to encouraging applications for paid and unpaid opportunities from people living with HIV, and indeed many of our volunteers and staff do have HIV. But, of course, you are not required to declare your HIV status if you do not wish to do so.
We provide all our volunteers with good quality training, ongoing support and supervision. And we consult widely with volunteers to encourage them to participate in the charity's decision-making processes.
More information
In this section of our website you can also find out more about:
THT and me.
Name: Denzil Kennedy
Role: THT Direct volunteer
What does that mean?: `As a helpline volunteer,I enjoy being part of the front line team who take calls from clients and service users and provide support, information and advice around varying degrees of social welfare issues, including HIV and STI transmission.'
Why THT?: `I have been volunteering within THT for over 10 years now and have been on the helpline for more than 4 of those. The reason that I initially wanted to volunteer
for THT was that I was originally a service user and was very grateful for the support and assistance that the Trust provided me. I wanted to repay that gratitude and also, feel part of an organisation that has made such a huge difference to the lives of so many people affected by HIV.'
You can find out more about becoming a helpline volunteer here.
Copyright 2008 © Terrence Higgins Trust is a registered charity no: 288527 Company reg. no.1778149 Registered in England. A company limited by guarantee.