Volunteering At The Rock Trust - A Way of Life

The Rock Trust believes that the realisation of its aims and vision can be strongly influenced through the active participation of citizens from its wider community. We therefore are committed to creating, promoting, and supporting volunteering positions across the whole organisation, in every aspect of our work.

We have many years of successfully supporting individuals in a wide range of volunteering roles and this work has been endorsed by the awarding to the Trust of the Investing in Volunteers (IIV) Chartermark.

What Opportunities are There For Volunteers?

A number of specific volunteering positions are offered by the Trust. These are covered in a bit of detail below. As a general rule however, we are always keen to hear from anyone who feel they have something to offer the organisation.

Where direct contact links are not provided below, please feel free to contact us on tel: 0131 557 4059 or frank.ross@rocktrust.org

The VAF Project

THE VAF Project (Voluntary Action Fund) is aimed at young people aged 16-25 who are at risk of, or are experiencing, homelessness or are unemployed.

We are working with Fresh Start, Water of Leith Conservation Trust, National Trust for Scotland and West Lothian Council to offer a number of volunteering opportunities aimed at increasing the knowledge, skills and experience of young people that can then be transferred into work settings.

What can VAF help with?

VAF offers a number of volunteering opportunities within the following areas:

• PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) testers

• Conservation management and leadership

• Administration

• Marketing and fundraising

• Training

Further Information & how can I get involved?

You can find out more about the VAF project by contacting us on 0131 557 4059, e-mailing frank.ross@rocktrust.org or downloading the information and application forms below.

Funded by the Voluntary Action Fund

Join our Board of Directors

We are currently looking for enthusiastic and suitably experienced individuals to join our Board of Directors. In particular we would welcome candidates with experience in the fields of Property Management, Law, HR and Marketing.

The Board meets every 6 weeks, with each meeting lasting approximatley 2 to 3 hours. Candidates must be willing to meet this committment along with a degree of preparation time before hand. Short life working groups may also be formed from time to time and there may be a need to lend some time to these along with our calendar of events that run throughout the year.

For further information please contact our Chief Executive Kate Polson on tel: 0131 557 4059 or kate.polson@rocktrust.org

Nightstop In West Lothian - Volunteer Hosts Wanted!

The Rock Trust is working in partnership with the West Lothian Council to provide a Nightstop service which will prevent homelessness amongst young people. By allowing young people who have fallen out with their family or had an argument in their care home to stay with a host household for up to 3 nights, we prevent them from being exposed to temporary bed and breakfast or adult hostel accommodation. Nightstop is a tried and tested nationwide initiative. All volunteer hosts undergo a minimum of 10 hours training, are regularly supervised, and have 24 hour contact with staff.

If you have a spare bedroom and wish to learn more without obligation, come to our open evening on Tuesday 30th August at the West Lothian Civic Centre, Livingston, between 6 and 8pm. This will provide an opportunity to meet the staff involved and hear first hand accounts of how placements have gone from existing hosts and some of the young people who have benefited from the service.

Contact Frank Ross on 0131 524 9443 or frank.ross@rocktrust.org to register your interest by Friday 26th August.

Volunteering In Our Support Services

All of our support services make good use of volunteers and we are always very interested to hear from anyone who feels that they have something to contribute to them. Find out what available by exploring the following links and an application form:

Volunteering In Our Housing Support Service - Supportive Flatmate Wanted (Full-time and relief workers)

We are now actively recruiting for the position of volunteer Supportive Flatmate.

Are you a supportive person looking for an exciting challenge? Want to make a real difference to young people's lives? Need a place to live in Edinburgh from August?

* Live with and support 3 young people in a city centre flat.

* £55/week food/living expenses, free rent, free bills.

* Your own large bedroom and living room.

* Loads of support and in-house volunteer training provided.

Further details are included in the links below

There is no closing date for the current volunteer vacancy and applications are now welcome. Interviews are likely to take place in May and June. The position will be available for the successful applicant to take up from August 2012 ( following the completion of appropriate checks)

Applications for positions to provide occasional paid weekend and evening sleepover cover for current volunteer Supportive Flatmate are invited at any time. ( please mark "RELIEF" at the top of the first page of the application form)

Volunteer as a Host for Nightstop

Administration and Fundraising

Volunteering roles exist throughout the year to help with:

reception cover
preparing our newsletters for mail out (three times each year - usually in February, June and October)

We are also delighted to hear from people who would like to help arrange or provide on the day support for any of our fundraising events.

Drivers and Helping Hands

We have a 15 seater minibus which is used on a weekly basis for outings with our young people (particularly with the Step Up project). We are always looking for volunteers who are able to help us with driving duties.

Much of our success is measured by how many young people move on in a positive way into their own accommodation. When this move comes there is much to do. We are particularly interested in anyone who is happy to offer time and skills to help with the practical tasks of moving home - from moving furniture, to decorating and preparing the new house for a fresh start.