Volunteering FAQs

These are some of the most commonly asked questions about volunteering for our charity.

We welcome anyone who is committed to helping us achieve our vision of a world where all those affected by inherited retinal conditions are able to live a fulfilling life.

A wide range of people from many different backgrounds volunteer for us – we have volunteers who are in education, working, unemployed, retired, and from diverse community backgrounds.

As a charity we are committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for everyone who wants to volunteer with us. Whatever your skills and wherever you are in the UK or Northern Ireland, we aim to find a Retina UK volunteer role for you!

Giving your time, knowledge and skills can make an amazing difference no matter what type of volunteer role you choose to take on; from fundraising in your local community, taking on a helpline support role or being part of a local peer support group.

Volunteering with Retina UK will not only give you the opportunity to have fun and make new friends, you will be making a measurable difference to the charity’s aims of supporting people with inherited sight loss and funding pioneering medical research.

Without our volunteers Retina UK simply would not be able to operate the way it does today. They contribute their time, energy and skills to support us and people affected by inherited sight loss.

As much or as little as you choose. Retina UK has a wide range of volunteering options available to suit most people’s work/life commitments – some volunteers help regularly and others once in a while. Some roles require specific time commitments and these are clearly stated in the role description.

This will depend, to some extent, on the type of volunteer role, but whatever your skills and wherever you are in the UK and Northern Ireland, we aim to find a Retina UK volunteer role for you!

Many of our volunteer roles do not require you to have any experience or specialist skills, just your time, energy and enthusiasm and a commitment to the cause of Retina UK. Some of our volunteering opportunities require you to have particular skills, but these will be clearly stated in the role description.

As well as receiving a warm welcome into Retina UK, you will receive a full induction and any relevant training upon commencement of your volunteer role. It is important to us that you receive all the information you need to ensure you have a successful and positive experience as our volunteer.

Guidance and support is available to all volunteers from the Volunteer Coordinator. The level of training depends on the volunteer role and its specific competencies as outlined in the volunteer role description.

Throughout the UK and Northern Ireland Retina UK needs volunteers. There are many roles you can carry out in your local area or even from home.

Volunteers are not paid for their time, but are entitled to be reimbursed for their travel and other legitimate expenses.

Have a look at our current volunteering vacancies or contact our Volunteer Coordinator.

Online: Register your interest – fill in our enquiry form.
Telephone: 01280 821334
Email: volunteering@RetinaUK.org.uk