Local Group Chair (North Devon)

About Diabetes UK

As the UK’s leading diabetes charity, it’s our job to tackle the diabetes crisis. We’re here to campaign for and support everyone affected by diabetes, prevent Type 2 diabetes and fund research that will one day lead us to a cure.

About our North Devon Local Support Group

At Diabetes UK our Local Support Groups work in their communities to connect and bring people living with and affected by diabetes together. The groups plays a vital role in supporting people with both the physical and emotional impact of diabetes. They help members to learn more about their condition and how to manage it well. Our North Devon Local Support Group is led by a committee of volunteers who share tasks and run group activities. Together they coordinate public information meetings usually held at the Roundswell Community Centre in Barnstaple. They also support local awareness events and social activities. Prior to the pandemic the group offered a range of support of people in their area which they are hoping to resume when possible:

• Monthly meetings focused on diabetes education and support, often attended by a Healthcare Professional guest speaker, giving people the vital opportunity to learn more about diabetes, meet others and ask questions • Coffee mornings and physical activity groups – regular coffee mornings, table tennis and walks to help get people active and keep fit
• Awareness events – supporting events including Diabetes Awareness Week and World Diabetes Day • The group has a website https://north-devon.diabetesukgroup.org/ which is kept up to date by volunteers • Moving online – there is potential for the group to set up information and support meetings online to add to their current programme

Main tasks and activities:

To get to know and work with existing volunteers who hold a range of responsibilities in the group; working with them to plan, coordinate and approve the agenda for the group’s activities, meetings and events. • To chair committee meetings and public events, welcoming speakers and new members to group meetings and to support the group in setting up and running online meetings if needed • Be happy to coordinate activities and agree the delegation of tasks between committee members where appropriate • Ensure the correct procedures are followed at Annual General Meetings and deliver the Chair’s report and act as a cheque signatory for the group. • Help the committee and group to stay up to date with news and developments within Diabetes UK. • Ensure the group is run in accordance with the Diabetes UK Local Group Agreement, working with your local Diabetes UK team to agree and define the aims of your group and who it will target • Act as a spokesperson or identify someone else from the group to act as a spokesperson with the local media and proactively help promote the group to potential new members.

We are looking for someone who is:

A friendly, approachable and proactive person who is interested in building new networks. • Able to communicate and build strong relationships with people from a diverse range of backgrounds. • Able to facilitate discussions and to help the group reach a consensus when planning activities. • Self-motivated and engages with others without close supervision. • Good with social media, with an ability to build an online presence and use new media to build online communities (optional).

What Diabetes UK can offer you:

The opportunity to make a real difference by supporting people living with diabetes. • To learn more about diabetes and Diabetes UK with our Induction and ongoing training • Regular communication with our friendly Diabetes UK South West team. • Opportunity to meet and connect with other volunteers, join our regional online ‘Volunteer Get Togethers’ and annual conference or networking events. • The opportunity to learn new skills and share your experience, knowledge and expertise. • Experience of volunteering within the charity sector. • Reimbursement of reasonable out of office expenses incurred while carrying out activities for Diabetes UK, e.g. travel, lunch.

Safer Recruitment

We are committed to ensuring that our volunteer recruitment is fair, safe and consistent. The recruitment and selection process must therefore be appropriate to the nature of the role. Some roles may require a more in-depth selection process, for example those working with children or vulnerable adults. We will be able to give you more information about this if applicable to your role. For this role will you to complete a Volunteer Application Form and to provide two references. You will also be required to complete a basic criminal records check. This is paid for by Diabetes UK.

How to apply and next steps

To apply, register and complete the online application form through our Assemble website:

https://volunteer.diabetes.org.uk/opportunities/results#display=grid&s=date_advertised&o=desc&limit=14&include=image&public_search=true

If you would like more information or would like to apply by phone, please contact the volunteering team directly at Diabetes UK, Victoria House, Victoria Street, Taunton, TA1 3FA. Telephone: Gemma Jackson 07881 266 370 or email: south.west@diabetes.org.uk

Once you have completed the online Volunteer Application Form we will look to invite you to an informal interview. This will be an opportunity for us to explore your suitability and experience for this role and it will also be an opportunity you to ask questions and decide if the role and group are right for you.

Please note that currently all face-to-face volunteering, meetings and activities are suspended until further notice due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thank you for reading our role description and we look forward to hearing from you soon.