Our incredible volunteers are making a difference to people affected by Pulmonary Fibrosis, whether providing emotional support over the phone, helping with admin support, raising awareness, fundraising and campaigning.
Join our incredible network of volunteers across England Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
I was able to ‘offload’ my questions and queries, however silly, and she would tell me where to get answers and alleviate my worries. Our weekly chats made a real difference to how I managed and coped with my lung condition. It was for that reason that I decided that I would like to be able to do the same for someone else.
As a volunteer for APF I get to talk to many interesting people who are experiencing a difficult time in connection with PF. It’s so rewarding when you help can make a difference to the way they feel.
Current opportunities
There are different ways you can volunteer for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis such as befriending, admin support or running a support group, it all depends on what skills you have and how much time you have to give.
Telephone befrienders
She listens to me when I cry, I just want to say thank you. The support from my Befriender was amazing.
Why we need you?
Do you enjoy listening to and helping people? Are you looking for a volunteering role where you can do just that, and fits in around your family, studies or other commitments?
By becoming a telephone befriender and donating your time, energy and skills, you can make a real difference to the lives of people affected by Pulmonary Fibrosis.
We are looking for volunteers to be telephone befrienders, providing emotional support over the phone to people affected by Pulmonary Fibrosis. This role will involve supporting people with some of the following:
- Provide emotional support to people with Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) and their carers
- To signpost people to local and national support, such as support meetings, specialist centres, APF website, other organisations
- To highlight and refer to the APF support line when people need expert advice
- A commitment to keep up to date with PF related information
- Attend volunteer support meetings and other development events identified.
The time required is flexible, but we expect befrienders to commit to a minimum of 1-3 hours per week. You’ll be inducted into the role and receive e-learning training for the role.
Treasurer Trustee
We are looking for a treasurer trustee to join our vibrant and talented board.
At APF, charity trustees play a vital role in making sure the charity is run in the interests of the people it is there to support. They strategically oversee the management of the charity. Read more here: Become a Trustee
Currently we have a vacancy for a treasurer trustee. At APF we are committed to diversity and inclusion across our staff team, volunteers and trustee board and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, ages and genders. As we work towards making our board truly representative of the PF community we would particularly like to encourage people from Black, Asian and racialised communities to apply.
We are looking for the following skills:
• Significant budgetary and financial experience (may be a qualified accountant) with demonstrable commercial awareness and knowledge or an experienced charity treasurer who has provided strategic financial leadership to a board of trustees (>£3M+ t/o)
• Knowledge of charity SORP and impending changes
• Proven ability to communicate and explain complex financial information to a non-financial audience
• Demonstrable knowledge and experience of charity fundraising and finance practices, including developing financial policies, risk management and investment strategies
You’ll be working with our Director of Finance to go through papers ahead of board meetings so you feel confident. APF board meetings are a place to ask questions, challenge ourselves to do better and support each other to achieve our best for people affected by pulmonary fibrosis.
We ask trustees to meet up to 5 times a year (sometimes online or if in-person we meet in Peterborough, though we always offer hybrid options) on Saturdays every 3 months. Dates are set a year in advance. We also ask trustees to try and attend an annual staff and trustee away day (again in Peterborough, sometimes with hybrid options).
The role description can be found here: Role Description
The Treasurer Trustee Recruitment Pack can be found here: Recruitment Pack
Out of pocket expenses for travel and training will be covered by APF.
We ask you to register your interest with Jonathan Dawson, Director of Finance and Operations. You can contact Jonathan via jonathan@actionpf.org
If you decide to apply to become a trustee we will ask for a written or filmed statement outlining relevant life experience and your motivation for joining the board, along with a current CV if you have one.
Please note: There is no specific closing date for applications.
Joining a board can take several months, as our trustees are volunteers and we work around board meetings and people’s diaries. Do bear with us.
You can learn more about becoming a trustee here and the eligibility criteria: Becoming a Trustee
Research Advisory Group
Project: Understanding the role of protein AKAP13 in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
Context
Every three years Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis directly funds a fellowship researcher(s). The decision of what to fund is made jointly with patients & carers and scientific experts. One of these funded researchers is about to begin their work into the genetic causes of IPF. This researcher is recruiting an advisory group of people with lived experience of pulmonary fibrosis (patients and loved ones) to help guide his work and how he communicates about it.
Why is this research important
This type of research, sometimes referred to as “basic science” seeks to understand the building blocks of the disease so research can develop new treatments that focus on the cause. Our bodies are made up of proteins, one specific protein called AKAP13 appears to not work in the same way for people with IPF. This research is to dig deeper into what goes wrong with AKAP13 in IPF patients, understand how these problems contribute to the disease, and figure out if we can fix or counteract these issues.
Why we need you!
Involving individuals affected by pulmonary fibrosis (PF) in research is crucial as it brings invaluable real-world insights that enrich our understanding, ensuring the work is deeply relevant and effective in addressing their needs. In this role you will have a unique opportunity to shape the direction of this work, making a direct impact ensuring it remains focused on the needs of patients and making sure it engages the wider community of people affected by PF.
In this role, you will be expected to…
- Attend an online introduction session on 6th June 2024 at 10.30am lasting approx. 1.5 hr with 30mins break in between (online).
- Read the paperwork in advance of Advisory Panel meetings (we estimate this to take no more than 15 minutes per meeting)
- Attend and constructively participate in the online meetings (1hr, every 6 months)
- Agree to abide by APF’s confidentiality and conflict of interest policies. Membership of an APF involvement panel may exclude you from concurrent membership of another of our panels where there is a conflict of interest
- Let staff know if you need further information or if things change for you
We’re looking for people who…
Are or have been affected by any type of Pulmonary Fibrosis (patient/loved one)
- Have an interest in research.
- Are willing to represent the needs of a broad and diverse range of people affected by PF
- Are able to communicate constructively in a group, to listen and respect differing views whilst sharing your own opinion
- Are able to read and digest paperwork prior to meetings
You do not need to have:
- An understanding of research.
- Any prior knowledge of Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis
We value the unique insight people affected by PF share with us and appreciate that commitments may be impacted by your health or the person you care for. We would always encourage you to prioritise your physical and mental wellbeing and are grateful if you can let the relevant staff member know if things change for you.
We offer
We offer a full induction to the role online with your fellow advisory group members. You will also be able to contact Kevin, the researcher if you have any questions as well as John, your contact at Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis for any general queries or concerns. We anticipate meetings to be online and can offer expenses
Interested?
Please write a couple of sentences about why you are interested in the role and send to involvement@actionpf.org by 20th May 2024
Office Volunteers - Peterborough
Why do we need you?
At APF we understand how important good administration is. You will be helping to ensure the smooth running of our work so that we make the best use of donations received, more PF patients and carers have good support, and we can fund more research into treatments and a cure. This role will involve working with the current Charity Administrators to assist them in offering administrative support to the whole team.
Your gift of time can be planned to suit you and the needs of the Charity. This role can be flexible and work around your existing commitments. You don’t need to give a lot of time to make a big difference.
Location: You would assist us at our national office in Peterborough
Volunteers need to be over 18 and commit 2-5 hours a week to volunteering.
For an initial conversation about the role please call us for an informal chat: 01733 839642 or contact recruitment@actionpf.org
Support Group leaders – nationwide
The support I get at my group is fantastic. It makes me feel that I’m not alone and that it will be ok.
Why we need you?
We work closely with support groups all over the country and our aim is to increase the number of groups to 100 over the next couple of years so that no patients will live more than an hour from a support group.
Would you like to start a Pulmonary Support Group in your local area?
We offer grants, publicity, training and other support to help new groups to become established.
The best groups usually:
- involve patients and carers in co-running the group in their area
- have the support of their consultant and/or specialist nurse
- offer a range of relevant topics and speakers to help cope with PF
- make plenty of time for members to chat and support one another
- meet in a venue that’s accessible for all
Fundraising Admin support in our Peterborough office
Why we need you?
In 2021 we launched the APF Store, a dedicated online shop where our supporters can buy branded Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis merchandise that raise awareness and supports our work. We need amazing volunteers to help us pick, pack and provide excellent customer service to all our customers.
Depending on the needs of the online store and your interests, you may be involved in the following:
- Selecting, preparing, and sending out APF Store items in line with the APF’s guidelines
- Supporting to dispatch out seasonal services materials
- Providing excellent customer service
- Answering emails and telephone calls regarding orders
- Sending out merchandise to fundraisers
- Stocktaking
- Photographing stock and uploading images
- Ordering in new merchandise
- Research into new merchandise that can be added to the stores collection
Volunteers need to be over 18 and commit 2-4 hours a week to volunteering.
Local fundraising
Why we need you?
Do you have a fundraising idea? Whether big or small we can help to make it happen. From baking a cake to swimming a lake you can get involved! People fundraise for lots of different reasons but whatever your reason your money will go towards research and supporting people affected by Pulmonary Fibrosis. Visit our fundraising page to find out more