Volunteer role: 
Join the Search 

Team:
Supporters & Communications and Services

Location:
Central Office, Mortlake, SW London

Time commitment: 
A shift of a minimum of four hours every week would be preferred. We currently require volunteers any time between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday.

Purpose

One way in which Missing People provides a lifeline when someone disappears is through publicising missing appeals. This is done partly through a network of search partners, such as shops, libraries and community centres, who assist the search by displaying posters in their premises. Join the Search is a new initiative which aims to increase the number of search partners in our network so that we can publicise cases more widely. It also aims to broaden the type of search partners that we recruit to include community groups and small businesses who, as well as distributing posters, may also offer the charity financial support – for example, by donating or fundraising.

Join the Search volunteers will deliver a variety of tasks that will contribute to the search for missing people and increase the financial income for the charity.

Duties:

• Researching new search partners
• Recruiting search partners by email or telephone
• Responding to enquiries from search partners
• Recording contact details and notes on prospects

The role may also include:

• Supporting the Case Publicity Team on specific missing appeals
• Supporting the Supporter Care Team by contacting search partners about specific fundraising events or appeals

Skills and experience:

• Good telephone manner and communication skills
• Fluent and colloquial spoken and written English
• Computer literate and ability to understand general database functionality
• Ability to work under own initiative
• Strong internet research skills
• Friendly and approachable

Training

Training for this volunteer role will consist of a three-hour induction to the charity and an additional 1½ hour training session. Ongoing training will be given on shift. Volunteers are asked to attend ongoing training and volunteer meetings. 

Support

Volunteers will be given a named line manager in the Supporters & Communications team who will support their day to day work. Additionally, they will be given two formal support and supervision sessions a year from the Volunteer Support Leader to help them chart how they are doing in their role, identify areas where they may want to develop and celebrate their successes.

Next steps:

• Download and complete an application form  Volunteer application (141 kB) 
• If you meet our requirements, we will contact you to arrange a short telephone interview
• If successful, you will be offered an informal interview at our central office and asked to complete a short task to test your abilities
• You would then need to undertake the initial training before beginning in the role
• Missing People has a probation period for all volunteers

Why volunteer for Missing People?

• We provide out-of-pocket travel expenses of up to £10 a day
• We insist on equal opportunities and fair treatment for all people applying to be volunteers
• You will gain valuable experience and new skills to add to your CV
• You will meet lots of friendly people who, like you, have a passion for our work

Further information:

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tel: 020 8392 4590

Address: Missing People Volunteering, Roebuck House, 284 Upper Richmond Road West, London SW14 7JE

What our volunteers say:

“When I put my head on the pillow at night, I know that through our efforts,

and what I contributed today, someone’s child sleeps more safely and peacefully tonight.

My life and theirs are enriched by the experience of being a volunteer at Missing People.”

“It gave me confidence and looked good on my CV.”

“I learnt so many new skills, which helped me get a job.”

“I was instantly drawn to the charity as I had personal experiences with being away from home

during my teens. I have been volunteering with the help lines for three years. I thoroughly enjoy my

shifts and look forward to coming in every week to volunteer. If the service had been running when I was

a young runaway I would definitely have used it, and found the information and support very helpful.”

“Volunteering opened up a whole new world, and helped me decide on my career.”

“Everyone made me feel so welcome and I really felt my work was helping.

Thanks for putting trust in me.”