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Volunteer Vacancies

We are currently looking for a number of dedicated and skilled volunteers to help us deliver certain essential parts of our services.

Volunteers are crucial in making sure ILS continues to support vulnerable people in both tangible and intangible ways.

Why involve volunteers?

This list can be long, but ultimately volunteers add value to the work we do with and for vulnerable people. Local volunteers have local knowledge and understanding of local issues and help us drive ILS vision for the future forward.

What you may get out of volunteering?

If you are interested in any of the roles below, please contact us by:

Volunteer Induction

The induction is designed to ensure that your volunteering is safe and effective. We want you to know we value your time and skills. We aim to do the best we can to make your volunteer experience a productive, positive and rewarding one. A full PVG Disclosure is required for any volunteer role and ILS will meet the costs involved with this. While you are volunteering with ILS we will:

If you don't see anything below which suit your skills, but believe that you have something different to offer ILS please still get in touch and tell us how we can best use your skills.

As a volunteer, you can get involved in many different aspects and activities.

Office Administration (general office work, mail outs, etc)

This role involves working in our Dumfries office, answering the phone, responding to people who access our drop-in service, mailing out invitations and information to partners and stakeholders and maintaining the office environment

You will have excellent office skills, a strong understanding of roles and boundaries and effective communication skills.

The hours for this role can be as many as you want to commit from Monday to Friday between the hours of 10 am and 3pm

Events (fundraising events, Service User Social Events, Open Days).

This role involves supporting Service Users to attend Social Events ILS plans for them. Talking to partner agencies and stakeholders at ILS Open Days, Information Days and Launch Events. Helping layout and set up these events and networking. You will come up with creative and innovative ideas to run community events and raise funds to help continue our vital work. This might be things like race nights, quiz nights, sponsored events, sales, competitions. You will have excellent organisational skills and strong communications skills. You will have a strong understanding of the services ILS delivers and how we fit into the strategic delivery of services throughout the region.

The hours for this role are an 'as and when' basis to be agreed.

Resource development (training packs, developing literature etc)

This role involves developing literature and publicity material for ILS, including keeping it current with Scottish government legislation and in accordance with Dumfries and Galloway's Single Outcome Agreement. This role also involves developing existing Service User training programs including literacy, communication, decision-making, interview skills and budgeting.

You will have a clear understanding of current legislation and a strong commitment to ILS' Service User group and the difficulties they can face. You will have good computer skills, excellent communication skills, and be a good listener.

The hours for this role can be as many as you want to commit from Monday to Friday between the hours of 10 am and 3pm

Drop-in advisor (answering callers, both face to face and by telephone and assisting their queries to resolution)

This role involves responding to Service Users who use the drop-in centre, whether they have a fixed appointment or are a causal caller. You will help them resolve their query, issue or concerns. This may include help to complete official forms, help to seek employment or prepare for an interview, resolve a benefits query or fuel concern, prepare a curriculum vitae or give comfort, advice or reassurance. You will have excellent computer and organisational skills, a good understanding of the benefits system, have excellent communication skills, be an empathetic listener and have strong knowledge of local agencies in order to signpost effectively.

The hours for this role can be as many as you want to commit from Monday to Friday between the hours of 10 am and 2pm

Advocacy (assisting Service Users to deal with official bodies)

Advocacy can help Service Users to:

This role involves accompanying Service Users to appointments with official bodies to ensure they understand the proceedings, understand what the official body may require of them and ensuring their voices are heard and their questions are answered. You will need empathy, excellent communication skills and be an effective listener.

The hours for this role are an 'as and when' basis to be agreed and meet the Service Users needs.

Arts and Crafts Teacher

This role involves delivering arts and crafts workshops to Service Users in our Dumfries office. You will need to be very practical and creative to support service Users to learn a variety of arts and crafts including drawing, painting and card making. You will be a good communicator, an excellent teacher and be able to give your skills and knowledge to Service Users. You will be able to tie in these workshops with team work, confidence building and communication skills for the Service Users.

The hours for this role are six a month, 6 times a year.

Trustee (sitting on the Board of Trustees and guiding the strategic growth and development of the service)

This role involves governing the strategic direction and growth of ILS, ensuring it is legislatively compliant, financially fit and fully meeting all its current contracts and funders requirements. You will have a current knowledge and understanding of Scottish Government legislation governing this sector, the Scottish Social Services Council and its role, Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland's role and governance and sound business sense. You must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with key agencies both locally and nationally.

This role involves 6 to 8 hours a month and includes attending regular Trustee Meetings.

Volunteer Co-ordinator

This role involves helping us recruit, train and supervise our volunteers. You will have excellent communication and people skills and experience in staff or volunteer management.

The hours for this role are one full day or two half days a week.

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