How to Volunteer with CoWL

Volunteers help and enable us to deliver our services. Without the excellent support we receive from so many volunteers, we would be unable to help as many people as we do.

There are many ways in which you can volunteer with us, whether being a volunteer driver with our Young Carers Service or becoming a volunteer counsellor, we have varied roles suitable for a wide range of skills.

What difference can I make as a volunteer?

Carers of West Lothian are always looking to add volunteers to our wonderful team

Each of our volunteer roles helps make a meaningful difference to the lives of people supported by Carers of West Lothian.

Our volunteers are as diverse as our roles.

Whether you want to use your existing skills to help others or perhaps you want to learn something new, we can provide you with the training necessary.

If you would like to talk to someone about volunteering, please contact us.

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Current volunteering opportunities

If you wish to apply for any of our volunteer openings, or simply want more information, please complete the form below or contact Carers of West Lothian on 01506 448000 or by email at office@carers-westlothian.com.

  • Employer: Carers of West Lothian

    Hours: Up to 3 hours per week

    Note: Work will be undertaken on an ad hoc basis and may be out with normal office hours, including evening work.

    Transport: Postholders must have access to a car and provide appropriate insurance cover

    Purpose: To assist staff in providing support to young carers by helping to transport the young carers to and from a group

    Duties and Responsibilities

    • Provide transport to and from support groups

    • Be punctual and reliable when picking up the people and make sure your ID card is visible

    • Give plenty of notice if your availability changes

    • Maintain confidentiality regarding the carers and possible conversations in the car and share with a member of staff if you have any concerns

    • Report to a member of staff immediately if there are any incidents, accidents or disclosures

    Personal Qualities

    • An understanding and sensitive approach to the difficulties and needs of carers.

    • The ability to be patient and adaptable to unique circumstances.

    • Good listening, verbal and communication skills

    Desirable Skills

    • Valid drivers licence and safe driving record with a maximum of 3 demerit points

    • Access to a car that is road worthy, hold business car insurance

    • Have no health conditions that may impair their ability to drive safely

    The post holder will be required to undergo a full Disclosure Scotland check prior to taking up the post.

  • Employer: Carers of West Lothian

    Hours: Up to 3 hours per week

    Note: Work will be undertaken on an ad hoc basis and may be out with normal office hours, including evening work.

    Transport: Postholders must have access to a car and provide appropriate insurance cover

    Purpose: To assist staff in providing support to young carers by helping to transport the young carers to and from a group

    Duties and Responsibilities

    • Provide transport to and from support groups

    • Be punctual and reliable when picking up the people and make sure your ID card is visible

    • Give plenty of notice if your availability changes

    • Maintain confidentiality regarding the carers and possible conversations in the car and share with a member of staff if you have any concerns

    • Report to a member of staff immediately if there are any incidents, accidents or disclosures

    Personal Qualities

    • An understanding and sensitive approach to the difficulties and needs of carers.

    • The ability to be patient and adaptable to unique circumstances.

    • Good listening, verbal and communication skills

    Desirable Skills

    • Valid drivers licence and safe driving record with a maximum of 3 demerit points

    • Access to a car that is road worthy, hold business car insurance

    • Have no health conditions that may impair their ability to drive safely

    The post holder will be required to undergo a full Disclosure Scotland check prior to taking up the post.

  • Hours: Up to 4 hours per week

    Note: Work will be undertaken on a regular basis out with normal office hours, including evening work, the young carer groups currently meet on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings. The groups meet between 6.30pm and 8pm

    Purpose: To assist staff in providing support to young carers in a group setting, involving them in supportive activities, providing breaks from caring situations and new opportunities. To adopt a person-centred approach to working with young carers and encourage empowerment.

    Duties and Responsibilities

    • Listen to and support young carers

    • Help transport young carers to and from groups

    • Assist in setting up and facilitating a range of supportive activities with young carers; including support groups, outings, events and other activities

    • Encourage the involvement of young carers in all aspects of shaping and developing the group and the Young Carers Support Service

    • Assist in the monitoring and evaluation of work with young carers

    • Note relevant concerns, needs or issues affecting young carers and pass these on to relevant people (e.g. young carer’s workers)

    • Maintain confidentiality with regard to personal information relating to individual users of the project

    • Work as part of a team contributing to the smooth running of the Young Carers Support Service

    • Undertake any other duties that may reasonably be required, as directed by the Senior Development Officer

    Personal Qualities

    • An understanding of and a sensitive approach towards the situations, needs and difficulties faced by young people and particularly young carers

    • An ability to work positively and supportively in a group setting

    • Good listening, verbal and communication skills

    • Commitment to Equal Opportunities

    Desirable Skills

    • Experience of working with young people

    • Training and/or qualifications in youth work

    The post holder will be required to undergo a full Disclosure Scotland check prior to taking up the post.

  • Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that CoWL achieves its core purpose. They oversee the overall management and administration of the charity. They also ensure that CoWL has a clear strategy and that our work and goals are in line with our vision.

    Just as importantly, they support and challenge the executive team to enable CoWL to grow and thrive, and through this, achieve our mission.

    Board members have a collective responsibility. This means that trustees always act as a group and not as individuals.

    Duties:

    • Support and provide advice on CoWL’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

    • Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.

    • Oversee CoWL’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

    • Ensure the effective and efficient administration of the organisation.

    • Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled effectively.

    • Review and approve CoWL’s financial statements.

    • Provide support and challenge to CoWL’s CEO in the exercise of their delegated authority and affairs.

    • Keep abreast of changes in CoWL’s operating environment.

    • Contribute to regular reviews of CoWL’s own governance. Attend Board meetings, adequately prepared to contribute to  discussions.

    • Use independent judgment, acting legally and in good faith to promote and protect CoWL’s interests, to the exclusion of their own personal and/or any third party interests.

    • Contribute to the broader promotion of CoWL’s objects, aims and reputation by applying your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

    As a small charity, there will be times when the trustees will need to be actively involved beyond Board meetings. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, presenting externally, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

    What we are looking for

    We are looking for people willing to bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the role, and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our board.

    You do not need previous governance experience – we will provide a full induction and training.

    Personal skills and qualities

    • Willingness and ability to understand and accept their responsibilities and liabilities as  trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.

    • Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a board member.

    • Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.

    • A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

    • Enthusiasm for our vision and mission.

    • Willingness to lead according to our values at CoWL.

    • Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

    Terms of office

    • This is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses are reimbursed

    Time commitment

    • Attending four Board meetings annually. Currently meetings are hybrid, held in-person (Livingston) and online

    • Attending two Board Strategy days per year

    Committee membership

    Ad hoc and occasional support through working groups and / or support to the executive team.

Send an enquiry