How we support volunteers

Your support network

When you join the CHS volunteer community, you become part of a huge support network which will help enable you to deliver the best outcomes for infants, children and young people.

There are nine Area Support Teams (ASTs) and within each region has dedicated Tribunal Delivery Manager, a Partnership Coordinator and a Wellbeing Coordinator. They work alongside local teams of volunteer Panel Engagement Leads, Lead Panel Practice Advisors (Lead PPAs) and Learning Champions to support our 2,400 Panel Members and PPAs across Scotland. 

Your wellbeing

At CHS, we want to help our community to thrive, both generally in life, as well as specifically during time volunteering with us. A Panel Community’s wellbeing support covers the emotional and practical means to confidently sit as Panel Members, Chairs, and Panel Practice Advisors.

Each region has a dedicated Wellbeing Coordinator who will work with others to provide wraparound care and support to our Panel Community by:

• Supporting newly trained volunteers and helping them get set up for a great start
• Providing bespoke support during the volunteer journey from training room to hearing room
• Enhancing the volunteer’s experience through meaningful conversations, quick actions, effective sign-posting where needed, and purposeful appreciation and recognition of the brilliant work our volunteers do
• Working alongside other volunteers in the community and CHS colleagues to support proactively and reactively based on individual needs, including those with protected characteristics, diverse needs, or with other personal commitments

In addition to CHS colleagues, the wider Panel Community will provide peer support, coaching, and tips that will encourage new volunteers to seek out help and guidance about their self care, practice, and learning journey with us.