CAFOD in Brentwood is the diocesan branch of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. We stand beside people living in poverty – whatever their religion or culture. Through local Church partners, we help people directly in their own communities, and campaign for global justice, so that everyone can reach their full potential.

CAFOD in Brentwood works with volunteers and partners in the Brentwood Diocese to inspire people to fight poverty and social injustice across the world.

Rooted in the Catholic community, we work with a whole range of volunteers who give of their time and their talents in support of our work with the poorest and most vulnerable communities on the planet.

CAFOD is an accredited Living Wage employer and has a commitment to pay a Living Wage, as set by the Living Wage Foundation for all UK employees.

Scripture makes many references to the importance of paying a right and just wage for work done. (In both Luke 10:7 and 1 Timothy 5:18 we read “The labourer deserves his wages” and in Romans 4.4, “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.”) . We feel that it is important to pay the real living wage as an expression of our solidarity with those individuals and organisations striving to achieve fair pay in developed and developing countries across the world.

Parish volunteers

Parish volunteers represent CAFOD in your church communities and help to mobilise parishioners to take action for global justice. They thank parishioners for their support and help their parish priest promote and organise the Lent and Harvest Fast Days and any emergency appeals in the parish.

Schools volunteers

Schools volunteers communicate our work to a younger audience across the 90 schools in our diocese informing and inspiring the younger generation, helping them to turn their passion for justice into real action. With school volunteers’ input, school children learn to care for their global sisters and brothers, both now and as they grow up.

Campaigns volunteers

Campaigns volunteers encourage others in a parish or group to support CAFOD campaigns to stand in solidarity with those affected by poverty or social injustice. It could be by organising a petition-signing after Mass, getting together a group to meet your MP or by sharing prayer and study materials on campaign issues.

Campaigners

Campaigners are unable to commit to regular volunteering due to other commitments but still wish to support CAFOD. It could be signing a petition, emailing a politician, joining in a prayer, sharing content on social media or sending a message of solidarity.

MP Correspondents (MPCs)

MPCs show their MPs that their constituents expect them to work for the common good. They will write to and even meet their local MP and request them to take specific actions, such as writing to a minister.

Office volunteers

Office volunteers are key members of our volunteering team, helping to ensure the smooth running of the local Volunteer Centre. By keeping our records of school, parish and volunteer involvement accurate and up to date, you will play a vital role in helping us to build strong partnerships with the local Catholic community.

Communications volunteers

Communications Volunteers play a vital role within CAFOD. They are a crucial part of communicating key moments which occur within the diocese, particularly during Harvest and Lent – raising the profile of CAFOD and encouraging local volunteers through writing blogs and engaging with local news outlets and social media.

Speakers

CAFOD speakers trusted spokespeople, who thank parishioners for their support, inform them about poverty and its causes and invite them to get involved, be that through praying, giving money, taking part in a campaign or volunteering.

Events Coordinators

By organising, promoting or assisting at events Events Coordinators give others the chance to enjoy themselves while they learn more about the work of CAFOD’s partners and help by raising money and praying.

Volunteer Coordinators

Volunteer coordinators inspire, motivate and support a number of parish, schools or campaigns volunteers.

Time commitment for volunteer roles

Parish volunteers – periodically throughout the year and especially during Lent and Harvest, and during times of emergency.

Schools volunteers – a schools volunteer will be active during Harvest and Lent, possibility visiting up to 3 schools during a term. A DBS check is required for this role.

Campaigns volunteers – periodically throughout the year (in particular during the early summer) in support of CAFOD’s campaigns in parishes and in groups.

Campaigners – active periodically throughout the year

Office volunteers – a commitment of a half-day or full day a week in the office

Communications volunteers – regular commitment of perhaps a few hours a week to write blogs and organise social media

Speakers – periodically throughout the year and especially during Harvest and Lent appeals

Events Coordinators – periodically throughout the year as and when an event occurs, a commitment of up to a few hours a week