Why do we need a Volunteer? Purpose of role.
Our talented Fundraising team is vibrant, ambitious, and well respected. It’s therefore an exciting time to volunteer at one of the country’s most loved and best-known animal charities – and be part of one of the fastest growing fundraising teams.
Supporter Services sits within the Income Generation team and works closely with the whole of fundraising to enable them to fundraise effectively and raise millions of pounds for our dogs and cats. Our supporters are an essential part of the Battersea family, and this team is responsible for ensuring they feel valued and appreciated as individuals by the home.
We need the support of volunteers to help us ensure that each supporter who contacts us is helped with their query in a warm, friendly, and efficient way. The team are involved in first-hand contact with supporters.
This is an ideal volunteer role if you are looking to gain or develop skills and experience in an office environment, in the charity sector and/or in fundraising. This role involves dealing with supporter donations and queries via telephone, email, and post.
What would I be doing as a Supporter Services Volunteer?
- Primary responsibility is to open, sort and log incoming post, which include gift-in-kind e.g., blankets, toys etc.
- Updating our fundraising database with accurate supporter information and communication preferences.
- Dealing professionally with all correspondence from our supporters in a warm, friendly, and helpful manner. This includes phone, post and email.
- Providing support to the team with any supporter enquiries.
- Arranging and issuing Thank You letters to supporters for donations received.
- Other administrative duties as required.
What experience or skills will I need to do this role?
- Well-developed communication skills, particularly using the telephone.
- Good computer literacy and Microsoft Office skills.
- Ability to use empathy, tact and diplomacy when talking to supporters on the phone.
- Good attention to detail and time management.
- Ability to work on your own and using initiative to solve problems is beneficial (alongside the support of the Volunteer Mentor).
What are the benefits for me?
This is a great opportunity to get involved with a world-famous animal charity, one that is over 150 years old. With no Government funding towards the running of the home, it’s no exaggeration to say that without our supporters, we wouldn’t be able to take care of thousands of dogs and cats who need our help each year. By volunteering with our Supporter Services team, you will be helping ensure our supporters feel part of the Battersea family.
You will gain excellent experience of working within a successful fundraising team and will be able to see first-hand how we raise the funds needed for the dogs and cats in our care. We are champions for and supporters of vulnerable dogs and cats, determined to create lasting changes for animals in our society.
There may also be opportunities to get involved with fundraising events.
What training and support will I get?
- Training in how to use our systems and processes, including our online donation tool and Raiser’s Edge – a database used by many charities in the UK.
- Ongoing support from the Supporter Services Team Leader and the rest of the Supporter Services Team.
Where would I be volunteering?
The role is based in the fundraising office at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, 4 Battersea Park Road, London, SW8 4AA.
When would I be volunteering?
We are looking for a commitment of one day, Mondays, every week during normal working hours of 10am to 4pm. We are looking for a commitment over at least six months but hope you would like to stay longer.
We strive to create an inclusive environment and ensure that our volunteers are involved in all aspects of our work, are valued for their commitment, and recognised for the extraordinary things they do for us. We are accredited by ‘Investing In Volunteers’, the UK quality standard for good practice in volunteer management. We are committed to providing equality of opportunity and value diversity for all current and prospective employees, volunteers, and Trustees. We aim to ensure that this commitment, reinforced by our values, is embedded in our day-to-day working practices and our work together. At Battersea, we provide reasonable adjustments for those with disabilities or neurodiversity to ensure individuals can achieve the best out of their role.
To discuss this further or for more information, please call 0203 8878 349.
KEY DATES:
Application Deadline - Friday 21st March.
Volunteer Interview - W/C Monday 31st March (tbc).
Volunteer Induction - W/C Monday 7th April (tbc).