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I am a volunteer

Volunteers are our lifeblood. So, whether you're volunteering on a trip, sharing your story or helping out with fundraising or events, what do you need to know to make sure you can make the biggest difference.

Get ready to volunteer!

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust inspires young people to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer. By giving up your time, you are changing young lives.

Whether you're getting hands-on and supporting young people in one of our trip volunteer roles, sharing your story, or helping at a fundraising event or festival, whatever you do will help a young person feel more accepted, independent and optimistic as they re-establish their place in the world after treatment.

In these pages you will (hopefully!) find everything you need to make sure you feel as prepared for your volunteering experience.

But if there is something you can't find or you have more questions, please email the team at [email protected]

I can’t name one thing that makes him stand out as he just does so much for other people.

Resources and information

Whatever your role, where will be lots you will want to know before your volunteering.

Become a mental health first aider

Training is offered to every volunteer. Email [email protected] for the next course dates.

Join our Volunteer Facebook Group

Join our online community exclusively for all our volunteers. Ask questions, get info or just enjoy the chat.

Volunteer Training YouTube

Check out our exclusive and bespoke Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust volunteer training content to support your development

EDIB Vision & Plan

Your handy downloadable guide building belonging through our Our Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Plan 2023-2026

What are the different volunteer roles

Get a reminder of your duties and responsibilities and learn about others you will be working with too.

Volunteer Training Conference

2025's event is in Birmingham on Saturday 22 March. Full details to follow from autumn 2024.

Looking after you and others

Be yourself. Every volunteer brings something unique and special to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Working with young people

The safety and wellbeing of young people is our number one priority.

So, if your volunteer role involves working with young people, including at an event or festival, there are a number of things we need to do and check.

Completed DBS/PVG checks

Up-to-date disclosure is a must. In England and Wales this means a DBS check (needs updating every three years) and in Scotland and NI this is a PVG Scheme Certificate (a rolling check). Here are some useful links...

Completed a Child Protection course

All volunteers must have completed a Level 2 Child Protection course and have a certificate or training record as evidence. If you have a certificate please email it to us at [email protected], or we can send you a link to a free course.

Signed our annual Safeguarding Agreement

Safeguarding is an essential part of our goal of rebuilding young people’s confidence so every year volunteers must read and sign our Safeguarding agreement. This will be emailed to you ahead of your volunteering.

How we look after young people

Essential reading including our safeguarding and social media policies and operating procedures.

Download your toolkit for self-care

How to look after yourself before, during and after volunteering for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

What expenses can I claim?

Our expenses policy explains what is covered and what you can claim when you are volunteering.

Download an expenses claim form

I am volunteering on a trip

Whether you're volunteering on a first time or return sailing trip or joining one of our outdoor adventures, here's some more useful information.

Download your Volunteer Handbook

Everything you need to know to be ready to volunteer on your sailing or outdoor adventure,

I am doing a boat pick up

COMING SOON: In meantime here's how you get to Lymington Yacht Haven to meet the boat.

I am travelling with young people

If you are a travel volunteer for either a sailing or outdoor adventure trip, watch this video.

Find our Isle of Wight and Largs bases

All our first time and the majority of our return sailing adventures are from our Cowes and Largs bases.

Media Phones

Media phones are specifically to get photos and quotes to help the comms team tell the story of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, including through social media.

The media phone(s) will be allocated to a volunteer(s), who will be briefed on how to use them before the trip/event starts.

They should only be used by the allocated volunteer (unless with prior agreement of the comms team) and shouldn't be a distraction to the volunteer’s primary role or young people’s experience.
Contact the Comms Team

Quick links

There's a lot going on! So here's some useful links to find out more or signpost people to.

Signposting

Further advice and guidance for young people after cancer treatment.

Mind Over Cancer

Young people can sign up for free monthly mental wellbeing support sessions.

Download Talks Guide

Speaking at an event? Check out our handy guide.

More volunteering

What else could you do you or encourage others to get involved?

Our impact

See how we make our difference and why pre and post trip surveys matter.

Return trips

What's in store for those who want to come back for more adventures?

Sign up for a trip

How someone can sign themselves or their child up for their first trip.

Siblings support

How we also help siblings of young people we support after treatment.

Fundraise for us

Do something to help inspire more young people to believe in a brighter future.

Meet the team

Put a face to the name and find out who's who at the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust