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ICE: Using your work skills

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29th October 2005

Some people may feel their abilities are better suited to a supportive role behind the scenes, or they cannot commit time to the training needed for the face-to-face work, like first aid or emotional support. Others may simply not wish to work directly at the site of a major disaster, but all can provide vital support to the relief effort. After the London bombings, 42 law firms gave free legal advice to victims and families of victims of the disaster, while many individuals offered administrative assistance to charities working in the Family Assistance Centre.

What are charities looking for?

If you are in paid employment you can put your day-to-day skills to good use. The following are particularly useful:

Administrative – computer literacy, good organisational skills, a good working knowledge of a photocopier and fax machines

Financial – accountancy skills are invaluable to charities that need to put funding proposals together. Also, most charities will pay their volunteers travelling expenses and you could help process these.

Public Relations – if you have a background in PR, marketing or journalism you could help the charity raise their profile especially when it comes to recruiting more volunteers.

Legal – many lawyers are giving legal advice free of charge to survivors and families of victims of the bombings. For example assisting them in compensation claims.

Cooking skills – blue light emergency services and front-line volunteers all march on their stomachs. If you work in the catering industry, your skills will be vital in keeping the emergency services and volunteers going.

CLICK HERE FOR CHARITIES WHO HAVE TEAMED UP WITH BBC LONDON ICE >>>
Cruse Bereavement Care >
Red Cross website >
Salvation Army >
St John Ambulance >
Victim Support London >
WRVS >
Samaritans >
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For more information, download a factsheet:

ICE: Job Skills Factsheet >

last updated: 28/10/05

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