The Risk Factory needs volunteers to ensure that the visiting children and other groups leave the centre equipped to cope with, and safely overcome, the dangerous situations they might encounter in their every day life.  This includes in the home, whilst travelling or doing leisure activities.

What does volunteering at The Risk Factory involve?

There are currently two volunteering roles available:

• Safety Guide  - each guide is responsible for taking a small group of visitors around the scenarios, delivering the key safety messages and interacting with the group as you go; the
• Emergency Operator/Timekeeper - is responsible for answering the emergency calls made by the visitors and ensuring the Safety Guides keep to time  and move on as appropriate through the course of the session.

Both roles are vital to the delivery of the programme and for better insight into the roles please read our Safety Guide and Emergency Operator/Timekeeper role descriptions.  There is aso a separate role description for the Cub Scout Safety Guide (evenings).

How much time will it take and can I fit it around my other commitments?

Each daytime session lasts approximately 3 hours and this includes a briefing session prior to each visit and a debrief session at the end.  The minimum commitment we ask is two sessions per month, however, this is flexible.

A Cub Scout session last approximately 2 hours from 1800-2000 hours.

Do I need any qualifications in order to volunteer?

No.  You will of course need to enjoy working with people of a range of ages and backgrounds and have a friendly and positive outlook.  All volunteers undergo PVG checks and references are taken up.

I'm interested - what do I do now?

Contact us on 0131-455 8930 or email riskfactory@edinburgh.gov.uk to arrange an introductory visit.  This will provide you with the opportunity to meet staff and volunteers, and where possible, join a group of visitors on their tour to find out more about what volunteering at The Risk Factory involves.