An introduction to Volunteering Matters and RSVP
Volunteering Matters believe that everyone across the UK should have the opportunity to thrive. We bring people
together through the unique power of volunteering, to overcome some of society’s most complex issues. The
Retired and Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) is supported by the Volunteering Matters family. RSVP is a
volunteer-led project that encourages, facilitates, and supports older people aged 50+ to keep active by
volunteering in their community. RSVP believe by volunteering and using their life experience and skills, older
people are less likely to be socially isolated and suffer from poor mental and physical health and wellbeing.
RSVP groups are coordinated by a team of Volunteer Organisers. Current activities include volunteering within
NHS hospitals and schools, charitable knitting groups, walking groups, and a Handyperson scheme. Over 1000 older
people have engaged over the last 21 years.
An introduction to the role
We are looking for a Development Worker who can work flexibly, is driven, and is passionate about supporting older
people to volunteer in their community. It is important that the post holder can commit to our organisational
values – being Compassionate, Empowering, Inclusive, Positive and Straightforward.
The coronavirus pandemic caused major disruption to RSVP. Risks to older people meant that our volunteers were asked,
overnight, to shield at home. RSVP activities closed for a prolonged period of time. While these have since
re-launched, a significant number of Organisers and Volunteers have not returned to volunteering. As our
Development Worker, you will provide staff support to re-build RSVP activities across Forth Valley. You will
help to decrease social isolation and loneliness, and improve older people’s mental health and wellbeing, by
engaging them in regular, ongoing volunteering roles suited to their needs and interests. You will work closely
with a small team of Volunteer Organisers, supporting and empowering them to deliver and develop RSVP activities
across Forth Valley. Over the next year, we aim to engage a minimum of 60 new volunteers in our activities
across Forth Valley. You will lead a volunteer recruitment campaign while also developing and implementing
sustainable infrastructure for the future such as Organiser guides, and other volunteering and project
resources. These local resources will supplement the nationally developed “RSVP toolkit” and resource materials
already available. This role is funded by the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing fund, in Falkirk, Stirling
and Clackmannanshire.
Information on Employee Benefits
Our ambition is to be the best place to work in the charity sector. We offer lots of employee benefits
including:
•Fully flexible working
•Unlimited annual leave, to achieve a positive work-life balance
•Cycle to Work scheme
•Interest free season ticket loan (public transport)
•Competitive and supportive maternity/adoption/family leave provision
•Competitive and supportive sick leave provision
•Access to our free Employee Assistance line
Our ways of Working:
We offer flexible working by default. This means that our staff have significant flexibility when it comes to place
of work, working hours, and are empowered with the responsibility of managing their own diary and workload.
Part of your working week will need to be based in local communities within Forth Valley, meeting older people,
volunteers, and other stakeholders. For the remainder of the time, you will work from our Alloa office, or from
home (must be based locally). If working from home, you will need good internet access and a suitable home
working environment. All I.T. equipment, mobile phone and other infrastructure will be supplied.
A full Job Description and Person Specification is available for download below.