By promoting the RMBF’s work, RMBF volunteers help to ensure that colleagues know about the services and support available, should they require them.
We have produced an Elevator Pitch (explaining RMBF services in two minutes) and a more detailed Case for Support, both downloadable from our website*.
We want to reach:
- Doctors whose sick pay has run out
- Doctors who are on (low) half pay
- Doctors who are struggling to keep working, but are too worried about their financial situation to stop
- Doctors whose medical treatment has been suspended due to Covid-19
- Doctors who are shielding because of underlying health conditions
We encourage everyone to promote the work of the RMBF however they are able, both formally and informally. The role is a flexible one to take account of time commitments and work schedules. For example, volunteers can promote the RMBF by:
- Liaising with your hospital Comms team to publicise the work of the RMBF in your Trust’s newsletter or website
- Distributing RMBF posters and/or leaflets in doctors’ social spaces
- Giving a 5-to-10-minute talk about the RMBF at the start of your hospital’s Grand Rounds
- Asking colleagues if they are aware of any doctors or their families likely to need help
- Promoting the RMBF through social media channels
- Writing articles in medical journals and newsletters
- Arranging a stand at medical conferences, meetings or exhibitions
- Putting the RMBF on the agenda at relevant meetings
- Organising a slot for a speaker from the RMBF (including yourself)
- Setting up web links to the RMBF’s website
- Emailing colleagues with information about the RMBF
- Distributing information at training sessions
- Contacting HR staff, particularly those responsible for staff welfare
Preparing for a presentation on behalf of the RMBF
If you have the opportunity to give a presentation on behalf of the RMBF, here are some key pointers to bear in mind:
Audience: find out who you will be speaking to before the meeting. For example, are they admin staff looking after doctors, or doctors themselves?
Timing: find out how long you will have to speak and tailor your presentation’s length accordingly
IT issues: always ask about the facilities and be prepared for things not to work (projector out of focus, blurred screen etc.)
Make it personal: real-life stories can really make a presentation connect. Perhaps you know of someone who has received help from the RMBF?
Examples from our volunteers
Here are examples from two of our experienced volunteers, outlining just some of the activities they have taken to raise the RMBF’s profile.
Dr Angela Scott – retired histopathologist
First, Angela asked her Medical Director if she could email all consultants in the hospital with information about the RMBF’s support. She also approached lead clinicians asking if could attend staff meetings and give talks about the charity, making sure junior doctors were present. It hasn’t all been plain sailing, says Angela: “I have turned up for a meeting and the consultant has forgotten I was going to be there and had to wait!”.
Sometimes you never get an answer from the head of department, and have to grab the moment. “I met the head of A&E in the corridor and asked when I could attend. He said ‘are you free now?’, and I gave the talk there and then. Luckily I had supply of leaflets in my bag.”
Angela has a more regular formal appointment at the Junior Doctors Induction Day. “I’m there for 7.30am and have 30 minutes to work the room whilst they’re having breakfast.” She also leaves leaflets in the Postgraduate Centre and at Medical Staff Committee meetings.
Dr Chi Davies – full-time anaesthetist
Chi leaves a handful of leaflets in the junior doctors’ mess and rooms used for meetings (restocking them every week or so), and makes use of noticeboards for leaflets and posters. She has arranged for leaflets to be distributed with car park permits for junior doctors, as well as via the Folkestone Medical Society network meeting.
Chi has a top tip for reaching doctors at events: “If you have RMBF information at a conference stand, leave the table for a while – leaflets will disappear.”
She also underlines the importance of the right contact. “All university hospitals have to delegate a member of HR to be responsible for the moral support of med students and junior doctors,” says Chi. “They will be the first person in the hospital to pick up on any problems. At my hospital the staff member is called the Friend of junior doctors.”
Back to Information for Volunteers
*We are currently updating our resource page. please check back soon or contact the Head of Volunteering via the link above for urgent queries.