I want to volunteer my skills

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” – Winston Churchill

We are a volunteer led organisation. Our amazing board of Trustees lead the governance of what we do, how we do it and that we do it well. Our young people’s participation and parents as partner groups offer peer support but very importantly have a strong voice and influence not only on our work but that of our partners locally and nationally. Locally they help with our recruitment process, our resources and awareness workshops, feedback on our current projects and help us develop new area of work and grant funding. They influence, feedback, and meet regularly with national organisations, with politicians and strategic partners across the city. Our ambassadors are also our voice raising awareness of what we do, how to prevent exploitation and supporting events and fundraising.

Our project and office volunteers have such a variety of work and personal experience that they bring to Safe and Sound regularly giving their time and experience in the office, supporting our events and activities whilst out in the community helping us keep young people safe.

Thank you each and every one of you.

 

Volunteer Roles.

At Safe and Sound, we aim to transform the lives of children and young people for the better and we want you to help us with that vision. We are looking for BRILLIANT people to join our team and be part of our journey too.

We provide support directly to children, young people and their families in Derby and Derbyshire at risk of and affected by exploitation and work to ensure that individuals receive the support they need to move forwards in their lives.

We need volunteers who are located or are prepared to help us Derby city and South Derbyshire, who can bring the experience, insights and passion to help us realise our ambition and build a sustainable future. We want good team players: people who can bring creativity and different ideas to help us continue to develop. We are looking in the following areas, though we welcome applications from all sectors;

  • Outreach work
  • Youth work
  • Fundraising
  • Participation events
  • Education, training and awareness
  • Office Support
  • Board of Trustees, Ambassador roles, Parent peer support, Young people’s participation

Additionally, our Volunteers must:

  • Share the commitment and values of Safe and Sound
  • Be able to create strong working relationships, bringing appropriate levels of support and challenge
  • Communicate clearly and concisely; being prepared to listen to others and recognise different viewpoints
  • Be committed to helping create a diverse and inclusive charity; demonstrating an accepting and positive regard for others
  • Empathy with the services and client groups that we seek to serve – direct experience in the field would be an advantage
  • Be willing to apply for an enhanced DBS check and pass a basic safeguarding training course A volunteer role with Safe and Sound provides an excellent opportunity to work with a dynamic and creative team, to help support our strategy and make a difference to children and young people’s lives.
  • Ideally you would be based locally in the South Derbyshire or Erewash areas but if you are willing to travel to visit us then we want to hear from you.The roles are voluntary and unremunerated. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Terms

Duration: Minimum of one year commitment.
Location: Darley Abbey, Derby.
Time Commitment: Have availability and a commitment where possible to work  and attend other relevant events where they will act as ambassadors of Safe and Sound.

We welcome applications to include why you want to join Safe and Sound, and the skills and experience which you would bring to the charity. Applications should be sent to [email protected] or alternatively contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator on [email protected] for an informal chat.

We want our team to be representative of diverse communities so we actively encourage applications from ethnic minorities, disabled people and anyone who identifies as part of a community that is under-represented in the charity. Appointments will be made on merit alone.

You can give as much or as little time as you’d like – contact us to discuss your volunteering journey.

Volunteers Prove Their Worth At Safe and Sound

Safe and Sound is fortunate to have the skills, dedication and enthusiasm of a wide range of people who give their time voluntarily to support the charity’s work. Just as the Safe and Sound team and the young people/families we support are from diverse communities, different backgrounds and a wide age range – so are the volunteers. Here, we talk to just two of the people who volunteer at Safe and Sound – finding out why they joined, what roles they have done and how their experiences have enriched their own lives.

Shannon's Story:

Mother-of-three Shannon was at a crossroads in her life when she contacted Safe and Sound. She had recently had to give up her job as a personal trainer in the fitness industry due to health issues
and initially volunteered for a mental health organisation. Speaking to people on the mental health crisis line, I recognised that the root of many people’s issues was abuse that they had suffered early on and I was interesting in working in that field. I contacted Safe and Sound and they invited me to become a volunteer so that I could learn more about exploitation. I was determined to give it my all – learning as much as I could and getting involved in different aspects of the charity’s work.

I started on outreach which I really enjoyed and I was offered the chance to work alongside a case worker – going into schools and supporting young people 121 - and soon decided that this was the
field that I wanted to make my career. I must have proved myself and my capabilities because, less than a year after starting as a volunteer, I was offered a paid role as a part time sessional case worker which was incredible. I have loved volunteering and now working for Safe and Sound. It’s a great team and everyone is very supportive of each other. It just goes to show that, even later in life, volunteering opens doors to exciting new careers and it is fantastic to be part of an organisation that can make a positive different to young people’s lives.”

Sonia's Story:

Sonia has been a trustee of Safe and Sound for nearly 12 years and is committed to continuing to be part of the charity in whatever voluntary capacity she is needed. Sonia has many years’ of experience in leadership and change management in both the private and public sectors – latterly as a senior manager with Derby Community Safety Partnership (CSP). With responsibilities for finance and commissioning for the CSP, she was keen to find out more about Safe and Sound and quickly recognised the unique role that the charity plays in supporting and protecting young people who are victims of or at risk of child exploitation.

When she left the CSP, Sonia was invited to be an advisor to the Safe and Sound Board and was soon invited to become a trustee before being voted as Vice Chair - a role she still holds to this day.
All the trustees are volunteers. We have a broad and diverse skills set and, collectively, we are here to be the accountable body for the charity – ensuring that the CEO and her team have the resources
and means to do their jobs.

As well as overseeing the strategic direction and finances of the charity and, although we are not operational in terms of the work that is delivered, we all try to contribute to other aspects of the work needed such as networking and fundraising. It is certainly not a role that anyone should take lightly as there are huge responsibilities and sometimes requirements to make difficult decisions.

However, the job satisfaction and sheer joy that I gain from hearing about how young people have overcome their experiences and moved forward with their lives thanks to the support from the team
is why my heart will always be with Safe and Sound. I have learnt so much have huge respect for the whole team. Being part of Safe and Sound has brought me into contact with so many fantastic people and I am proud to have been part of the journey of this charity which, sadly, continues to be so badly needed to support young people and
families in our local communities.

Just as there is no cut off point for the support we provide to our young people – I hope to be part of this organisation for many years to come – whether as a trustee, volunteer or ambassador. My advice to anyone thinking of being a charity trustee is to regard this role as a long-term commitment, to listen and to ask questions – it’s the only way to learn and be able to make a worthwhile contribution.”