Volunteer Role: Rainbow Families Volunteer
Support Person
Jules Stapleton Barnes, Community Development Worker
Role Purpose
To assist with the running of our quarterly Rainbow Families
events for LGBT parents and their families. Along with a
member of staff (and possibly other volunteers), you will help
with the delivery of Rainbow Families events, including
talking with parents and children and helping to create a safe
space for people or all ages to socialise in. You will also
assist with publicity and planning for Rainbow Families
events and other services related to LGBT families.
This role requires a quarterly commitment of approx. 12
hours. Rainbow Families events take place in a variety of
settings both in and outdoor on a quarterly basis. The times
of these events vary but average at around 6 hours per
event.
 Welcome new people
 Talk to parents and help them feel comfortable and
included
 Talk to children and help them feel comfortable and
included
 Play and interact with children where required
 Help facilitate introductions and conversations
 Help set up event space, including activities &
catering
 Promote LGBT Health & Wellbeing activities and
services
 Alert staff to any concerns
 Uphold safe space and confidentiality of individuals
 Take responsibility for performing role in professional
and safe way
 You must be 16yrs+ for this role
 Good communication skills, especially the ability to
include people in group conversation
 Enthusiasm, reliability, integrity
 Experience of working with children
 Comfortable working around and communicating with
young people, children and babies
 Some knowledge or experience of LGBT
communities, including those who may be particularly
marginalised and vulnerable
 Commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space
 Ability to work as part of a team, working alongside
staff and other volunteers, as well as using own
initiative
Specific Tasks
Skills and
Qualities Needed
Commitment
Support and
Training
Expectations of
Volunteers
Location of
volunteering
Approx. 12 hours each quarter (3 months)
 All volunteers are required to attend a 5 hour
Induction Training course around the policies and
ethos of the organisation and working with our clients
 Volunteers will be given ongoing individual support
and 1:1 Support and Supervision from a named staff
member approx. every 6 months
 Outside these meetings any issues of concern should
be raised with your named person or Service
Manager
 Ongoing training opportunities around relevant issues
will be offered
 Reimbursement for public transport costs to and from
Rainbow Families events
Volunteers are offered a free soft drink at each Rainbow
Families events and where relevant catering will be
provided.
 Willingness to abide by LGBT Health and Wellbeing’s
Policies
 Willingness to use support systems
 Commitment to attend on-going support meetings and
training
 Punctuality. Reliability in communication, especially to
provide advance notice if unable to attend an event.
Volunteers should not drink alcohol before or during
Rainbow Families events.
Support and Supervision will be based at LGBT Health and
Wellbeing, 9 Howe Street, EH3 6TE or other locations as
discussed with named contact.
Rainbow Families event locations vary but will take place in
family settings in or around Edinburgh and Lothians.