This article explains what a Branch Connection is and what it means for service volunteers.
As a SSAFA volunteer you are part of a wide community, made up of individuals from different backgrounds and experiences, who support SSAFA in a variety of ways to meet our charity objectives. To allow you to feel connected to the wider volunteer community we have connected you with your local SSAFA branch.
We hope that by building a strong sense of belonging at SSAFA, you will not only enhance your volunteer experience but also foster a greater sense of connection and community within your local area.
Connecting with your local branch
Our branches focus on spreading the word about the incredible work we do to support our serving personnel, veterans, and their families. They also encourage social engagement among volunteers in local areas.
You can view this ‘Branch Connection’ on your GoAssemble record under the ‘Roles and Responsibilities’ tab of your user profile. Please note, having a ‘Branch Connection’ is not an additional volunteer role, but a way to link you in with your local branch so you can receive invites to their local events and activities through GoAssemble.
Attending branch events is completely optional, but a fantastic opportunity to expand your network and meet others in your community. Events you may be invited to include coffee mornings, networking opportunities, training or evening activities.
Benefits of a being part of a branch
The benefits of being part of a branch are:
1. One SSAFA: All SSAFA volunteers deserve to have an engaging and fulfilling experience, and part of that is being connected to their local SSAFA community regardless of role.
2. Social Connection and Pastoral Support: A Branch Connection allows volunteers to engage in social events, coffee mornings, and team meetings therefore fostering a sense of community with an opportunity to make new friends.
3. Inclusive Environment: A Branch Connection helps create a welcoming, inclusive and diverse environment to ensure all volunteers feel valued, supported and truly part of SSAFA as a whole.
4. Sharing Experiences: Volunteers can share their experiences with other volunteers from across SSAFA and have the opportunity to hear about all the great work SSAFA does in their local area.
How you will be communicated with
Upon forming your Branch Connection, the Branch Chair will have been copied into an email with you, ensuring that you are both aware of each other and can choose how to keep in touch.
Within each branch is a Branch Contact, who will include you in their invite list for branch events and activities advertised through GoAssemble. You can choose to accept or decline these invitations. If you accept an event it will appear on your calendar in GoAssemble, and you may receive reminder notifications.
Changing or ending your Branch Connection
Depending on where you live, work, travel, or your personal preferences, you may want to change which SSAFA branch you are connected with. To switch to a different branch that is more convenient for you, please reach out to your Volunteer Manager through the GoAssemble ‘Message Centre’.
You can also choose to opt-out of being connected with a branch at any time. To do this, go to the ‘Roles and Responsibilities’ tab of your user profile on GoAssemble and click on the red "Leave role" link, then tick the box for ‘Branch Connection’ and follow the on-screen instructions. Alternatively, you can reach out to your Volunteer Manager who can end this connection for you.
Claiming expenses linked to your Branch Connection
If you incur any expenses linked to your Branch Connection, for example taking the bus to attend an event, these should be claimed back via GoAssemble. When submitting the expense request, please submit it under your primary volunteer role (for example Caseworker), not under the Branch Connection ‘role’.
If an expense request is submitted under the Branch Connection ‘role’ on GoAssemble it will be rejected, and you will need to resubmit it under your primary volunteer role.
Branch roles and other volunteer roles at SSAFA
You may decide that you’d like to give your time to support SSAFA in other ways. If you would like to volunteer to support a branch’s community engagement work or are considering any of our other volunteer roles across SSAFA, please contact your Volunteer Development Manager for support. You can find details of your regional contacts here if you’re not sure.