Volunteers are the backbone of CLAPA and are vital to all areas of our work. They sit on our Trustee Board to govern the charity, host our many online events, and generously share their experiences and provide reassurance to people going through tough times.
Volunteers are the backbone of CLAPA and are vital to all areas of our work. They sit on our Trustee Board to govern the charity, host our many online events, and generously share their experiences and provide reassurance to people going through tough times.
You would help to review content posted on our Facebook support groups, signposting members to CLAPA services such as our Peer & Parent Support Service, events and activities, and reporting any Safeguarding concerns.
You will be welcoming participants to our online events, giving introductions and an overview of the event, and ensuring everyone feels involved and has an opportunity to participate.
You will be managing the IT system of an online event, ensuring everyone attending is invited and able to use their equipment to participate in the activity. You may be organising break out rooms, collating information or helping those who are unfamiliar with technology to be included.
Fundraising allows you to be creative and to deliver and take part in a whole range of fundraising activities to support CLAPA!
You could organise or co-ordinate other local fundraisers, or you might simply have an idea for a one-off fundraising activity you want to do. You could also assist us with publicising events, organising collections or raising money through craft skills and events.
You can do this role anytime and anywhere it suits you, and it’s also ideal for getting your work colleagues, friends and family involved! If you’re happy to be included, we love to feature our fundraisers on our website and newsletter.
You will be an ambassador for CLAPA and will be using our charity number and name so there are some legal requirements you need to adhere to while fundraising.
As a Parent Supporter, you would act as the main point of contact for parents of children affected by cleft, including those with unborn children (who’ve usually just found out at their 20 week scan). This involves providing information as well as offering emotional support.
This role is crucial in providing information and peer support, especially emotional support, to all parents of children affected by cleft. This is mainly done by phone and email, through Facebook or occasionally in person (a day of training is provided).
Acting as the main point of contact for parents seeking support with non-medical queries about cleft and related conditions (the local Cleft Team answers enquiries about the medical side, we help with everything else!) and you can also inform families about other resources and services available. You will be asked to maintain regular contact with CLAPA and complete a simple feedback form.
As a Peer Supporter, you would act as the main point of contact for young people and adults with, and affected by, cleft. This involves providing factual information as well as offering emotional support by phone, email and possibly face to face.
This role is crucial in providing information and peer support, especially emotional support, to any young person or adult in the UK affected by cleft. This is mainly done by phone and email, through social media or occasionally in person (a day of training is provided). This is not an advice or counselling role, but focuses on information provision, emotional support, being a ‘listening ear’ and very often, sharing your personal experience of cleft in order to assist and support others. We will ask you to maintain regular contact with CLAPA and complete a simple feedback form.
You would be helping young people build confidence and self-esteem whilst having fun and taking part in various activities with their peer group. You could support a residential weekend, activities with our Children and Young People’s Council, or online events, which take place via zoom.
You would act as an ambassador for CLAPA and raise awareness about cleft with schools, student midwives and other health care professionals.
The Cleft Development Group (CDG) has representatives from all NHS Cleft Teams in the UK. Its purpose is to ensure the highest quality of cleft care for all patients who need it. CLAPA supports the CDG with its Patient Engagement Group (PEG) to ensure the voice of the cleft community is heard in CDG meetings.
Are you a student counsellor currently training on a recognised counselling or psychotherapy course (Level 4 or above)? CLAPA offers remote counselling placement opportunities for student counsellors who would like to gain experience supporting individuals and families affected by cleft.
CLAPA is a registered charity and company limited by guarantee. Our logos and branding are protected. Therefore we ask that you please only use official CLAPA merchandise – leaflets, posters, t-shirts etc. (which can be ordered from us) and that when fundraising for CLAPA you always quote our charity number. Templates for letter-heading, our CLAPA and funders’ logos etc. are also available, please just ask if you need them.
We are committed to the care and wellbeing of everyone who works and volunteers for us or uses our services. All voluntary activities are covered by the same health and safety legislative requirements as those for employees. It is your personal responsibility to maintain health and safety standards in order to provide a safe working environment for all. Suitable risk assessment(s) must be prepared for all activities being carried out for CLAPA. We have a strict no-smoking policy which covers staff and volunteers in all CLAPA roles.
We are fully committed to listening and responding to any feedback, comment, concern or complaint. We will make every effort to actively respond as soon as possible and any concern or complaint, no matter how small, should be raised by emailing [email protected].
You can also see our complaints policy here.
You can contact us through our contact form or at [email protected].
You can also get in touch with one of our Engagement and Services Team members through our staff page.
