Do you want to be a volunteer?

Volunteer Visitors work with their Local Section, Regional Volunteer Co-ordinator and the Benevolent Fund office and other networks and act as a local point of contact with the Fund for members of all ages. Activities include:

• Visiting members in their own locality providing a friendly face and listening ear
• Home and hospital visiting 
• Reading Chemistry World and other journals if required 
• 'Talking Chemistry' to lonely or housebound members who like to be kept in touch with their chosen subject
• Shopping trips or taken out for an occasional luncheon - a rare treat for those who are housebound
• Help and support for younger members which includes helping complete their CVs, offering encouragement and support when attending job interviews, mentoring and networking
• Bereavement visits offering condolence and support
• Writing reports for the Fund Committee
• Arranging social outings or activities for older members or those who have been widowed so that they have an opportunity to network and socialise    

Prospective volunteers

All volunteer applicants are required to complete an RSC Benevolent Fund application form and sign a volunteer agreement with regard to:

• physical or mental health problems, or disabling conditions, which may be relevant to volunteering within the Benevolent Fund
• criminal conviction, caution or bind-over
• the accuracy of information provided on the application form
• treating confidentially all information gleaned as a volunteer.   

After an application is received two references will be obtained; one of which must be from someone who has knowledge of the volunteer in an educational or workplace environment. An interview will then be held, after which all applicants will receive a written notification of the outcome. 

New volunteers

• undertake a one year preliminary training period
• are reviewed at the end of their first year
• are provided with an agreement and handbook   

The agreement and handbook includes a description of the duties and responsibilities expected whilst working for the RSC Benevolent Fund.

Current volunteers

The RSC Benevolent Fund is committed to offering all volunteers the opportunity to enhance existing skills and to develop new ones. All volunteers receive support and supervision.