Volunteering

Overview

Volunteers are very important to any charity, and our team of volunteers provide invaluable support, from our dedicated Management Committee members to the vital direct support by volunteers generously giving their time to help those that utilise our services on the ground.

In 2009/2010, volunteers gave a staggering 4440 hours of time to Headway Oxfordshire and it's cause. WIthout this generosity, it would not be possible to provide the level and quality of service that we do for those with acquired brain injury across oxfordshire.

If you have a few spare hours and have an interest you would like to share then please contact us.

As a Management Committee Member

Our Management Committee forms the governance and leadership for Headway Oxfordshire, guiding the strategy and direction and ensuring effective management and delivery of the organisation. We now need new Management Committee Members who can help support, develop and lead our organisation. All applications are welcome and we are particularly interested in people with skills, knowledge and experience if any of the following:

  • Financial, fundraising or sponsorship expertise
  • Business development, e.g. business planning
  • Employment/HR expertise
  • Strategic development and management
  • Health care
  • Legal expertise
  • People who have a personal or professional interest in Acquired Brain Injury, and/or in the role of Carers. 

What you gain 

  • The opportunity to help shape and support the organisation
  • The chance to input new and innovative ideas into the future direction of Headway Oxfordshire
  • The ability to make a significant difference to the organisation and the people of Oxfordshire affected by ABI 

The commitment we would ask from you is:

  • Attendance at the monthly Management Committee Meetings, for a minimum of 9 meetings in any 12 month period.
  • Attendance at the Annual General Meeting
  • Attendance at key strategic planning days
  • Consideration of papers/decisions prior to the Meetings
  • Email contact with other members of the Management Committee and/or the Director of Headway Oxfordshire, where necessary between Management Committee meetings. 

Although Management Committee Members receive no fee payment, out of pocket expenses can be paid.

Direct Volunteer Support

Volunteers make a real difference to the activities that can be offered to our members. Some of the activities you could be involved in at Headway Oxfordshire are art and craft, music, IT and computing, cookery, swimming - or suggest a hobby of your own!

Every Volunteer is given the opportunity of taking part in relevant training courses and events, which can enhance their employment opportunities in the field of Health and Social Care, if they so wish.

We also need Volunteers to work on our Community Befriending and Communication Scheme which operates throughout Oxfordshire.  Isolation is a major barrier to people with a brain injury, particularly younger people who find it very difficult to attend a "Day Centre".  Headway Oxfordshire have therefore introduced the Community Befriending and Communication Scheme to provide one-to-one support.  We urgently seek Volunteers - male and female - throughout the county to help provide this essential service.  If you think you could help someone by taking them out shopping, to the local public house or leisure centre, or even helping them to enrol and attend a short college course - please contact us.

Volunteering to Fundraise

Headway Oxfordshire welcomes people as Volunteers for their fundraising activities.  You may wish to help out at fundraising events being arranged by Headway Oxfordshire - OR - you may prefer to arrange your own event!

Why not form your own team of friends or workmates for this year's Fun Run in the University Parks, or a team for the Dragon Race on the river at Abingdon - both of which, hopefully, on a beautiful sunny day in May.  If these sound too energetic - we would be delighted if you could lend a hand on our publicity stands - handing out leaflets, and rattling collection tins.  Or, you may like to offer help at our Charity Dinner later this year, which is still in the planning stage.  Would you like to arrange the table decorations, or the flower displays, or help with putting up tables, chairs or posters?  

LET US KNOW if you would like to help. 

We maintain a register of "willing helpers" and will keep you advised of various activities and events at which you may like to volunteer. 

Organise your own Fundraising Event

If you want to organise an event for Headway Oxfordshire let us know: we would be delighted to help you. Call 01865 326263, or email fundraiser@headway-oxford.org.uk   Arranging an event is a great way of bringing together all the people you know and it's all in a good cause too! 

What types of events are good fundraisers?   Anything that is fun!!  What do YOU like to do?   It does not have to be energetic - but past fundraising events have included: 

  • A bicyle trek across South America
  • A bicycle ride from Lands End to John o'Groats
  • Tandem Parachute Jump
  • Sponsored Walk
  • Fun Runs
  • Quiz nights 

But you may like to arrange: 

  • A car boot sale
  • A sponsored knit
  • A Race Night
  • A Bingo evening
  • Wine and Cheese afternoon 

 

Promote your Event

Headway will be happy to help with any press releases, but if you want to go your own way here are some things to consider: 

  • Please do not use the Headway Logo without our permission.
  • Always clear any press releases you are doing with Headway Oxford.
  • When raising funds for Headway Oxford you need to state our full name "HEADWAY OXFORDSHIRE", and our Registered Charity Number 299377
  • When describing our work please use the phrase; 'Headway Oxfordshire provides care and support for survivors of brain injury and their families and carers.'  

Add your Event to Headway Oxfordshire's JustGiving website - we would be pleased to help set up your Fundraising Page and to provide sponsor forms.  This is an idea way for people to pledge funds - and GiftAid is added automatically, thus providing a further 28% additional funds! 

Publicity is key to any successful event. To ensure people come to your event, they have to know that you are organising one! Try and promote your event to as many people as you can - through social networks, village notice boards, work place, local newspapers, parish magazines - perhaps even the local radio station.

As the Rabbit said in Alice in Wonderland - "So much to do and so little time to do it" - or words to that effect! 

and who was it who said - "If you want something done, ask a busy person"?