Volunteer

If you support the NCT and want to make a difference for other parents, why not think about volunteering for the NCT. You can get involved as much or as little as you like, depending on the time you have available and your other commitments and inclination.

Becoming a volunteer is a great way to meet other people, have fun and learn new skills. Talk to your local branch to find out how you could help.

Reasons for volunteering

• Help the NCT reach even more parents
• Network and meet new and interesting people
• Help make things better for families in the future
• Have fun as you help with branch activities to support local parents
• Give something back to the NCT
• Develop new skills and participate in NCT training
• Help the NCT raise funds to pay for training of specialist workers, for campaigning, for acting as a voice for all parents and raising the profile of parenthood, for evidence-based information and for the help lines for pregnancy and birth and breastfeeding
• Enjoy teamwork and develop new ideas with others in your branch

Why, what, how and how much?

Why? – Because you’ll make new friends, have fun, learn new skills all at the same time.

What tasks? – There’s something to interest everyone! The tasks range from helping at a Nearly New Sale or delivering a branch newsletter, to keeping the local membership database, planning and organising fundraising events, computer based book-keeping, representing the NCT on outside bodies, evaluating research, writing articles, editing newsletters …

What Skills? – Administration, marketing, IT, budgets, co-ordination, events management, campaigning, research, training – in fact everything you’ve done before can be adapted. Or, you can learn a new skill that will be useful for your CV in the future.

How much time? – as little, or as much, as you want. Tasks can always be broken down and shared between friends or others in the team.

A word from some of our volunteers

‘ I started volunteering for the NCT after attending Bumps and Babes with my newborn daughter. Over the next few years I did a number of roles including Secretery, Area Rep, Under Fives Guide Editor and then Chair for just over two years. Now that the children are older I’m less involved than I was, but I have organised the last five Nearly New Sales for the branch, which is a great way of meeting old and new friends and supporting the NCT without the year-round commitment that some other roles require. We have now moved out of the Godalming area but I’ve just found out I’m expecting again so who knows what’s next!’

Liz Hart, ex-Godalming branch manager

‘I’ve been membership secretary for the Bishops Stortford and Sawbridgeworth branch for three years. For me, it’s a great way to give back to the charity that’s done so much to improve the birth and early parenting experience of so many people. It’s an ideal job for someone who likes to be at the centre of things. At a minimum, one can simply send out welcome packs and make the odd phone call.’

Rose Horley, Bishop’s Stortford & Sawbridgeworth branch.