Outreach Volunteers
Volunteering health information in the community and helping others to live independently
Positive East has a range of outreach activities which need volunteers to:
- help identify, engage and communicate sexual health issues with the general public and within specific communities
- support the development of self-esteem and combat isolation through independent living and family support
No formal qualifications are required, but knowledge of one or more languages can be helpful. Depending on which Outreach volunteer training programme you are interested in, there may be opportunities for training to Level 2 Health Trainer Accreditation. All our Outreach volunteers are fully trained and supported within Positive East and within the specific project you are volunteering in.
Please note, outreach volunteers will be working with potentially vulnerable people; all volunteers are be required to undergo CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check. If you have any queries or concerns, please contact contact Rebecca Byekwaso at rebecca.byekwaso@positiveeast.org.uk or telephone 020 7791 2855
The key issues are having an interest and ability to listen, to be supportive, non-judgemental and respectful of people regardless of their background and be willing to learn and work within a team.
Outreach Volunteer projects
Positive East run various outreach volunteer projects, such as:
See below for project details and contacts for further information.
Depending on the project you volunteer, some of our outreach activities are undertaken during the weekend, and during the evening time. Full details about the requirements and skills needed, will be provided. If you would like general volunteering information, please email: volunteering@positiveeast.org.uk or telephone 020 7791 2855.
- Community-based volunteer HIV testers:
To be part of a team providing point of care testing. The volunteer will be involved in ensuring the HIV testing clinic is a welcoming environment, undertaking the pre and post testing counselling and administering the HIV point of care tests.
If you would like to find out further details about our volunteer HIV testers programme, a role description is available to download.
For more information contact contact Matthew Walters at matthew.walters@positiveeast.org.uk or telephone 020 7791 2855.
- African outreach health trainer project, based in Hackney:
As part of our HIV testing project It's Better to Know, this focuses on encouraging Africans living and working in Hackney to test at one of our two testing clinics located in Hackney. Please note, clinics operate on Saturdays and Wednesdays, so you will need to be available during either of these periods.
If you would like to find out further details about our Hackney health trainer volunteer programme, a role description is available to download.
For more information contact Andre Smith at andre.smith@positiveeast.org.uk or telephone 020 7791 2855.
- Gay/Bi men and MSM outreach health trainer project, based in Tower Hamlets and across central London:
As part of our HIV testing project It's Better to Know, it focuses primarily on gay, bi and MSMs living and working in Tower Hamlets to encourage testing at Positive East HIV test clinics. The outreach activity will involve visiting various gay bars, clubs and saunas located in and around east and central London.
If you would like to find out further details about our Tower Hamlets health trainer volunteer programme, a role description is available to download.
For more information contact Matthew Walters at matthew.walters@positiveeast.org.uk or telephone 020 7791 2855.
- Independent Living Team, Adult outreach support:
Providing support to help adults combat issues of isolation by helping and supporting the development of practical coping skills and support in accessing services. The support aspects will vary according to the needs of the individual, but may include being an escort to appointments and help with the development of tasks to support independent living, such as shopping, meal planning, budgeting aspects. Additionally it may also require providing emotional support at key life events (such as moving home, disclosure, health decline or starting treatments), through to helping with basic home improvements (such as painting, decorating, gardening).
If you would like to find out further details about our Independent Living Team volunteer programme, a role description is available to download.
For more information contact Rebecca Byekwaso at rebecca.byekwaso@positiveeast.org.uk or telephone 020 7791 2855.
- Independent Living Team, Family volunteer outreach support:
Providing short-term family respite support for parents during stressful situations, during periods of parental illnesses through emotional support and assistance in attending appointments, home sitting/home visit services.
If you would like to find out further details about our Independent Living Team volunteer programme, a role description is available to download.
For more information contact contact Rebecca Byekwaso at rebecca.byekwaso@positiveeast.org.uk or telephone 020 7791 2855.
