Volunteer role description
RESIDENTIAL OCCASIONAL HELPER (UNIT)
Would you like to help out on residential trips with girls and young women, while developing your skills
and making new friends? Volunteering with Girlguiding could be for you!
Role title: ...................................................................................................................................
Supported by: ...........................................................................................................................
Suggested time commitment: ..............................................................................................
Length of time in role: ..........................................................................................................
Location: ....................................................................................................................................
If you are interested in this role: .......................................................................................
Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK. Thanks to the dedication and
support of 100,000 amazing volunteers, we are active in every part of the UK, giving girls and young
women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life
skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities.
Our incredible volunteers contribute more than ten million hours to guiding every year. Some give
us a couple of hours here and there – helping out with driving for trips and holidays, fundraising and
events planning, or even doing the annual accounts for local groups. Others give their time as leaders
or Assistant leaders for units, providing girls and young women with a space where they can be
themselves. Whatever your skills and interests, and no matter how much time you have to spare,
one of our volunteering roles is bound to suit you.
‘As well as giving the girls amazing opportunities, I feel I’ve also
personally beneted from volunteering. It’s really rewarding for me
and I feel I’ve achieved something great.’
Lisa, Girlguiding volunteer
Caring
Challenging Fun
Empowering
Inspiring Inclusive
© Girlguiding 2019 www.girlguiding.org.uk Volunteer
role description
Residential occasional helper (unit)
1
RESIDENTIAL OCCASIONAL HELPER (UNIT)
Volunteer role description
Who can do this role?
Any adult aged 18 or over can be a Residential occasional helper.
Do I need a qualication?
Residential Occasional Helpers do not require a specic Girlguiding qualication. They do not need to
become Girlguiding members, but are recorded on GO (our online database) attached to a unit.
What is the purpose of this role?
To help give girls opportunities for fun, friendship, challenge and adventure! Residential occasional
helpers work with other volunteers to enable girls and young women to take part in residential
Girlguiding activities that include an overnight stay, while ensuring the safety of the unit members.
Residential occasional helpers assist the volunteer team in charge of the event (which could include
members of various Unit leadership teams) in running residential trips with Rainbows, Brownies, Guides
and Rangers.
You will be supported by at least one Unit leader, Assistant leaders, Young leaders and other Unit
helpers and Occasional helpers.
Residential occasional helpers will have opportunities for ‘on-the-job’ learning and development.
What will I do in the role?
Running the unit
By the nature of the role, Residential occasional helpers will join other volunteers on an infrequent
basis, for specic residential events when more adult presence is required.
The responsibilities below will be shared between the volunteer team in charge of the event. As a
Residential occasional helper you will work with others within the volunteer team to make the most of
the skills and time you are able to give.
zz
Provide a girl-only safe space where girls and young women can discover their full potential.
zz Provide support and supervision, with other volunteers, to members of the residential and the
volunteer team.
zz Take a specic role within the residential team, while delivering an accessible and inclusive
programme, based on the Girlguiding programme for that section.
zz Encourage and support the members of the group in making decisions within the context of the
residential and planning its activities.
zz Develop and maintain clear communications with the event coordinator and other members of the
volunteer team.
zz Be willing to participate in any relevant ‘on the job’ training for the role.
zz Comply with current Girlguiding policies and regulations.
© Girlguiding 2019 www.girlguiding.org.uk Volunteer
role description
Residential occasional helper (unit)
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Being part of your local guiding area
zz Be part of a local Girlguiding community, maintaining a good relationship with other volunteers.
Being part of Girlguiding
zz Learn about Girlguiding’s policies and Code of Conduct.
zz Be an ambassador for the values of Girlguiding.
Promoting Girlguiding
zz Act as an approachable and responsible point of contact for parents and carers.
zz Promote a positive image of Girlguiding at public events and while taking part in activities outside
the meeting place.
What will Girlguiding do for me?
zz
Provide a thorough and appropriate induction to the role and organisation.
zz Help to develop skills and abilities to perform the role by providing ‘on-the-job’ training
opportunities.
zz Provide guidance via The Guiding Manual.
zz Provide support and development from fellow volunteers, including a local commissioner and
Girlguiding advisers.
zz Host meetings and events to share information at a local level.
zz Reimburse agreed expenses (agreed locally and may differ around the UK).
zz Provide references.
zz Provide a clear complaints procedure and support to resolve problems or disagreements.
Am I right for the role?
Residential occasional helpers are key in supporting girls and young women to experience how great
Girlguiding can be. While we can offer you support in your role we would expect you to possess the
personal qualities outlined below.
Personal qualities
zz An open and approachable manner.
zz Reliable and trustworthy.
zz Creative and enthusiastic.
zz Fun-loving.
zz A sense of humour.
zz Enjoys working with young people.
Girlguiding welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds, ages, cultures, faiths and abilities. We are exible,
and volunteering can be arranged to t around a busy lifestyle.
As this role works directly with young people on residential events, you will be required to complete a
criminal record disclosure check, carried out by a local verier.
Please note this is a volunteer role; this role description does not form part of any contract
of employment.
© Girlguiding 2019 www.girlguiding.org.uk Volunteer
role description
Residential occasional helper (unit)
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