Rainbow Services has many different options for volunteers which range from office based and administrative work through to practical ‘hands on’ roles.
We rely on volunteers to deliver all of our services at a local level and encourage their input into how the organisation develops and responds to new challenges. We provide robust support, training, and progression opportunities to our volunteers. Rainbow Services is committed to developing and ‘growing’ people – staff, volunteers, trustees and clients. Individuals are encouraged to engage in as many opportunities as possible to learn new skills and make the most of their volunteering experience.
For many the very nature of volunteering involves learning from others and learning new skills and is essentially a form of ‘learning’. We aim to offer training opportunities which are interesting and related to what volunteers want to learn about, as well as topics relevant to their volunteering role.
1. Voluntary Roles in The Workshop
- Young People’s Project – Mentoring young people at risk of gangs, crime, violence and anti-social behaviour through positive activities within a workshop environment.
Contact Wendy wendy@rainbowservices.org.uk or view more information here.
- Handyman project – Carrying out gardening, general repairs and maintenance in vulnerable client’s homes in Harlow.
Contact Wendy wendy@rainbowservices.org.uk or view more information here.
2. Voluntary Roles with the Community Builder Project
Community Connectors help to reduce loneliness and social isolation for Harlow Seniors by supporting a local group.
Contact Jenny jenny@rainbowservices.org.uk or view more information here.
- Nature’s Choices – Supporting people living with, and carers of those living with Dementia to access nature in our beautiful Town Park.
Contact Ron ron@rainbowservices.org.uk or view more information here.
- Fitness, Fun & Friendship – Supporting people attending an assisted exercise class.
Contacts Ron ron@rainbowservices.org.uk or view more information here.
3. Voluntary Roles with the Family Contact Centre
- Can you spare a few hours on a Saturday morning on a rota basis? Could you offer parents and children support, so that contact runs as smoothly as possible for the benefit of the children concerned?
Contact Kate kateg@rainbowservices.org.uk or view more information here.
4. Voluntary Roles with the Our Health Matters Project
- You would be open minded, kind, engaging and have some interest in tackling health inequalities. As a connector you would be an important voice within your community and work with residents, community organisations and groups and the Our Health Matters Coordinator.
Contact Rachel rachel@rainbowservices.org.uk or view more information here.
5. Voluntary Roles as a Rainbow Trustee
- Rainbow is always interested in hearing from people who might like to join our board. We would like to hear from anyone who feels they have the skills and commitment to make a difference but especially those with practical and professional experience in finance, HR, strategic planning, income generation, or governance.
Whilst we encourage interest from people who previously may not have held a governance role in the charitable sector, previous experience as a trustee or director with a charity or social enterprise is a distinct advantage. However, training and development is part of our offer. Amongst the new appointees, we hope to have individuals who are able to undertake leadership roles in the board, either based on previous experience or because they have the desire and potential to develop into them. Support and mentoring will be available for those who wish to take up these opportunities. We are keen to foster diversity and be able to draw upon a wide range of experience and expertise and welcome applications from individuals from across the occupational spectrum – business, statutory and, of course the Third Sector. Because we are not a single purpose charity, we deliver projects for a variety of outcomes. Currently, our focus areas are principally about alleviating issues relating to health and wellbeing; older people; youth opportunity and, recently, taking a lead role in the local response to the pandemic.
We have a strong executive team that allows trustees to concentrate on the governance and strategic planning but, of course, there is the opportunity to volunteer for some operational activities if that is of interest. The time commitment beyond attending quarterly board meetings and, ideally, joining a sub-committee, which also meet quarterly, is flexible and dependent on what you can offer.
If you would like to apply to be a trustee, please download and complete our Expression of Interest form and email it to our chair of trustees, Chris Greenhill who would also be delighted to have an informal chat about what the role involves.
