Guest Blog: Harry’s Rainbow are looking for volunteers!

Harry’s Rainbow are searching for a range of volunteers to help with their growing charity! Can you spare some time to make a difference to children, young people and their families? Read on to find out how you can help …

Volunteering has been proven to be positive for mental health – the act of giving back and making a difference feeds our feel-good emotions such as satisfaction, fulfilment, happiness, and joy.  Volunteering with people supports feeling a part of a community and can combat loneliness if alone, and a sense of belonging. 

Harry’s Rainbow relies on volunteers to support the children, young people and adults registered with us.  There are a number of opportunities, the minimum time required is only 5 hours a month – if you can spare this monthly, or ad hoc hours, we would be so very grateful.  If any of the below roles are of interest please include the role in the application form and I will send you the job descriptions.  

All volunteer roles are subject to safer recruitment policies and procedures and are subject to a satisfactory DBS, 2 references and completion of relevant online training.  

In return you will be part of a growing charity making a real difference to the lives of children, young people and their families that have been bereaved in and around Milton Keynes.  You will be part of a volunteer group, have the opportunity to use our caravan retreat on the south coast, be invited to an annual celebration event and other Harry’s Rainbow events, have monthly supervision sessions, be provided with uniform and much much more.

Rainbow Groups Volunteer

Receptionist Volunteer

• Welcome families 
• Tick attendees off the attendance list 
• RG – hand out badges 
• Give any form to complete 
• RG – Put books out for families 
• Ring ‘no shows’ to check all is ok. 
• Chat to families 
• Collect feedback on laminated question on exit. 

Café/ Food Volunteer

• Store or set out food for the groups (as per food and hygiene training) (RG) provided by Tracey/ YG bought by FLO. 
• Set out food and serve as appropriate 
• RG – Make teas and coffee for families and chat to families 
• Clear up 

Rainbow tool Volunteers

• Set up the ‘tool’ table with craft materials 
• Explain the tool to the children and families 
• Support children to create the tool and talk about how it can support their grief 
• Record which children have completed the tool 
• Tidy up 

General Volunteers

• Set up activity tables 
• Talk to families (RG) young people (YG) and help them engage with each other/tools/activities 
• Settle new families/Young people 
• Tidy up 

Pastoral Lead Volunteer (new role)

• Welcome new families and be point on contact/ show the family to the Rainbow Tool/FLO 
• Notice any families/ Young People not engaged/ upset and be the volunteer to connect/ take to a quiet space to talk 

Events Volunteer

An ad-hoc role in which you can be available to help at our events when you can. 

You can get in touch about any of the roles with Jade at jade@harrysrainbow.co.uk.

Visit https://harrysrainbow.co.uk/volunteer-for-us/ to find out more about the work we do and how to apply to each role!