Training volunteers

All our training volunteers have arthritis themselves. They receive professional training to enable them to deliver our self-management programmes and commit to running two courses per year. Some more experienced volunteers ask to deliver more, but we expect people to do no more than the minimum. Courses are usually delivered by pairs of volunteers, so you won't be on your own.

After successfully leading two courses, volunteers receive a certificate that gives them accreditation in delivering Challenging Arthritis and Challenging Your Condition.

Naturally, volunteering offers no financial pay, but we ensure our volunteers are never out of pocket by paying all reasonable expenses.

So what qualifications does a volunteer need? Well, very simply, none – except that they must have arthritis or fibromyalgia.

If you enjoy working with people and ‘making a difference’, being a training volunteer could be for you. Many see it as helping others or putting something back.

Some people would like to deliver the courses, but are worried about their ability to lead a group and speak with authority on the course subjects. This is where the training comes in. It teaches you to deliver the courses and also to feel relaxed speaking in front of a group. Much of the time is spent working with the group to come to their own conclusions on what works for them.

In addition to the training, our new volunteers receive support from experienced volunteers and qualified staff. Contact us to find out more.

Jean has been a training volunteer for nearly ten years. Read Jean's story to find out how she got invovled and why she continues to volunteer.

Alternatively contact us for more information on training courses and volunteering.