VOLUNTEER

Volunteering at HR27

Volunteers support the conference team and are an integral part of the smooth running of the whole event. HR27 volunteers will work with the conference team to create a good atmosphere for fellow delegates, bringing a sense of helpfulness, friendliness and community as we work together to create the best conference yet. Volunteers will have the opportunity to gain experience working at the largest harm reduction event in the world, to meet new contacts and to attend a variety of fascinating sessions.

Volunteer applications will open in October. We will be in touch with all applicants by the end of January 2027.

Jobs You May be Asked to Do

Session Support

Be available in an allotted room to ensure that speakers and session chair are all present, alert tech support to any issues with audiovisual equipment, and pass the microphone around at question time.

Wellbeing Volunteer

Support our medical team with outreach to delegates, staff the medical room, help with the distribution of naloxone.

Dialogue Space

Ensure sessions start and finish on time, alert tech support to any issues with audiovisual equipment, and pass the microphone around as required.

Media

Assist the HR27 media consultant with tasks like liaising with journalists onsite, uploading conference photos and alerting tech support to any issues with audiovisual equipment during press conferences.

Exhibitor Support

Be available to exhibitors in the exhibition space to offer support with any needs they may have when setting up their stands and when packing up.

General

Be available to help the conference team with tasks as they arise.

How it Works

What We Expect from You

Volunteers need to be professional, flexible and helpful with the ability to use initiative, work in a team and multitask
For most roles, you will need an excellent level of spoken English. Other languages are useful, but aren’t a requirement
For wellbeing roles, you will need to have direct experience of providing gold standard services to people who use drugs
You will be punctual for shifts and ready to work at your start time
Each day of the conference (Sunday to Wednesday), you will work half a day

What You Can Expect from Us

We will provide a volunteer briefing so that you are clear on your role. The briefing may be online or may be in person on site
We will provide a rota in advance and offer as much flexibility as operationally possible if you need to change shift
We will provide a free registration for the conference and when you are not working, you may attend the conference as a delegate. Your lunches will be provided along with all delegates
We will provide a t-shirt for you to wear whilst on shift
We will thank you in the conference programme

We are unable to pay travel or accommodation costs for our volunteer team.