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Everyone chooses to volunteer for lots of different reasons, whether it’s to improve skills, gain valuable work experience, make new friends or to support a worthy cause. Caudwell Children relies on the support of volunteers to help us achieve our mission, providing practical and emotional support to families of disabled and autistic children.
The Power of Our Volunteers
By the end of 2024, an incredible 79 active volunteers contributed their time across various roles including:
- Children’s activities
- Application administration
- Gardening
- Marketing
- Design
- Partnerships and Grants
- Reception
We also supported 73 volunteers in completing CQC compliant training modules such as safeguarding and information Governance, helping them to enhance their personal development and CV portfolios.
“The impact the volunteers have on a Short Break session is second to none and the support they give the children is always so nice to see. Every volunteer gets involved with the activities and interacts to a high standard with the children. Volunteers are a great support network for the staff and we have positive relationships with them all.” Kayleigh, Children’s Activity Programme Manager
What drives our volunteers?
Volunteering should always be a mutually beneficial experience, and in our annual survey, volunteers shared their reasons for joining us:
- To improve their skills
- To gain work experience
- To have a positive experience
- To give back to the community
- To use their spare time meaningfully
Training and Support
We provide in-house face-to-face induction training tailored to each department, ensuring that our volunteers feel confident and supported in their roles. Our goal is to make volunteering a meaningful and enjoyable experience from day one.
“After looking at options at how I could spend my summer in a productive way, I found some great opportunities with Caudwell Children. I was drawn with the centre being local, having great accessibility and presented lots of opportunity to gain good work experience.
I’ve enjoyed all the departments that I have volunteered in especially Applications and Marketing. The staff in both departments have been great, very welcoming, supportive and helped me if I’ve had any issues with any of the tasks that I have done.” Hope, Volunteer
The Benefits of Volunteering with Us
By becoming a volunteer at Caudwell Children, you can enjoy:
- Flexible roles tailored to your interests and schedule (as little as 3 hours a week)
- Valuable additions to your CV and professional development
- Social opportunities and the chance to meet new people
- Access to wellbeing support and mental health first aiders
Accessibility and Additional Support
We’re committed to ensuring everyone feels welcome and supported:
- The Caudwell International Children’s Centre is wheelchair accessible
- We offer reasonable adjustments during onboarding and volunteering
- Volunteers can claim out-of-pocket travel expenses
- Wellbeing support is available from our dedicated team
Ready to Make a Difference?
Volunteering with Caudwell Children is more than just giving your time, it’s about joining a community, building meaningful relationships, and changing lives, including your own.
For more information and to get involved, visit our Volunteers Page.