We have two roles in this field: 

Local Awareness Volunteer

Summary of this role:

To raise awareness of encephalitis and provide support to the communication services of the Encephalitis Society in your local area.

Description of tasks:

• You will build knowledge of and keep up to date with the Society’s history, activities and services.
• Source appropriate events to attend to raise awareness of encephalitis and the Encephalitis Society.
• Source appropriate opportunities to raise awareness of encephalitis and the Encephalitis Society in your local community.
• To organise and conduct awareness activities which may include talks, interviews and other media involvement.
• To complete any necessary training to help support you in your role.
• You will feedback and report details of your activities to the Encephalitis Society on a regular basis.

Please note that the Awareness Volunteer role does not allow you to give medical or other specialist information or counselling. Dealing with press, media and PR are only permitted with a prior agreement from the Society.

Estimated total hours: Flexible, depending on individual commitments and the Society’s need, an estimate of four hours a month would be ideal but even if you can only give one hour a month we would still love to hear from you!

Place of volunteering: Local community and home-based.

Qualities/skills sought:

• A good understanding of encephalitis and its implications.
• A passion for spreading the word about encephalitis.
• Great communication and people skills.
• The willingness to attend and get to events.
• A willingness to develop through training.
• The confidence to chat to new people about encephalitis and the Society.

Benefits to the volunteer:

• Be part of a passionate and caring team who want to make a difference.
• Personal development.
• Recognition of your contributions to the Society.
• Reasonable expenses paid.
• Increased likelihood of gaining paid work from voluntary experience.
• Regular support and any appropriate training from the Encephalitis Society.
• Possibility to make a difference in somebody’s life.

Digital Engagement Volunteer

Summary of this role:

To raise awareness of encephalitis and provide support to the communication services of the Encephalitis Society online.

Description of tasks:

• You will build knowledge of and keep up to date with the Society’s history, activities and services.
• You will help our team find appropriate opportunities online for raising awareness of encephalitis and the Encephalitis Society.
• Actively take part and in the Society’s campaigns such as World Encephalitis Day (WED) and help us to promote our work and information online.
• Raise awareness across social media platforms by following and sharing the Encephalitis Society’s pages, and posting agreed messages and content.
• To complete any necessary training to help support you in your role.
• You will feedback and report details of your activities to the Encephalitis Society on a regular basis.

Please note that the Digital Engagement role does not allow you to give medical or other specialist information or counselling. Dealing with press, media and PR are only permitted with a prior agreement from the Society.

Estimated total hours: Flexible, depending on individual commitments and the Society’s need, an estimate of four hours a month would be ideal but even if you can only give one hour a month we would still love to hear from you!

Place of volunteering: Home-based/online.

Qualities/skills sought:

• A good understanding of encephalitis and its implications.
• A passion for spreading the word about encephalitis.
• Access to the internet and a computer, tablet or mobile telephone.
• Good knowledge of social media platforms.
• Great communication skills.
• A willingness to develop through training.

Benefits to the volunteer:

• Be part of a passionate and caring team who want to make a difference.
• Personal development.
• Recognition of your contributions to the Society.
• Reasonable expenses paid.
• Increased likelihood of gaining paid work from voluntary experience.
• Regular support and any appropriate training from the Encephalitis Society.
• Possibility to make a difference in somebody’s life.

For further information or to request an application form please contact Laura Bowditch, Volunteer Manager by email in the first instance: [email protected] If this isn't convenient please call Laura on +44 (0)1653 609905 (Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm UK time), or write to: 32 Castlegate, Malton, North Yorkshire, YO17 7DT, England.