Volunteer with Casualties Union
If you’d like to volunteer with Casualties Union we have Units in many areas where we hold regular training meetings. We can assist you in finding the nearest to your location.
At these meetings we learn skills in acting, makeup and staging, and it’s how we get invited to participate in events to provide the realism our clients need in their training.
Having met the Unit leader and had answers to any questions, you should be ready to fill out the joining forms and get involved in training sessions and events.
Get involved with…
Acting
Making the incident feel as realistic as possible to all involved.
Staging
We pride ourselves on the realism of our incident staging skills.
Makeup
Professional makeup techniques add to the realism of the injury and training.
What we offer
Full Training Programme
A step by step training programme for all members, with a portfolio to work through.
Training Manual
We provide you with a
comprehensive manual to study in your own time.
Large UK network
With 300 members in ten regional divisions, we can usually provide our services in your area.
Charity organisation
We are a registered not-for-profit charity. Our members are covered by public liability insurance.
Benefits of Casualties Union Membership
- A chance to serve your community in a hobby that is interesting, challenging and fun
- The satisfaction of helping first aiders, emergency services and hospitals do their job better in communication, diagnosis and treatment
- Full training and support in acting and makeup skills
- Members’ Handbook, training manual and skills portfolio to work through
- Our quarterly magazine ‘Casualty Simulation’ (see below)
- Travel and makeup expenses reimbursed when you attend our duties for clients
- Insurance cover while engaged in Casualties Union duties
- Being part of a team, making new friends and attending social events
- Experience to boost your CV
- Opportunity for advancement from Trainee to Member, Advanced Member, Demonstrator, Instructor & Senior Instructor
- Long service recognition
What we expect
- A willingness to give us your time voluntarily.
- Commitment to be trained in our skills at training sessions and private study
- Agreement to participate in events as often as you can
- A reasonable level of fitness and mobility that allows you to participate in our events by acting the role of casualty
- A modest annual subscription, dependant on the month you join
Internal roles
Of course, volunteering also includes administration roles to ensure the smooth running of local, regional and central management. Current Members are invited to consider volunteering to assist in many of the Units’ tasks such as secretarial, accounts, desktop publishing, social media etc. especially if you have the necessary skill sets. Casualties Union trustees come from our Membership. The Trustees meet four times a year to discuss and decide on strategy, to ratify suggestions, to ensure that funds are wisely spent and to ensure conformity to rules and advice from the Charity Commission. All members have access to our Constitution and Regulations.
Casualty Simulation Magazine
Since 1946 we have produced a regular magazine (originally known as the journal'. For members. It's still being published after 70 years and continues to be a source of news, updates and tips for Casualties Union members.
F.A.Q.
If you’d like to Volunteer with Casualties Union Headquarters will answer your questions about our charity in general, or point you in the right direction if your enquiry is more specific, such as to the local Regional Director or Branch.
“Since joining CU I have realised how well first aid and casualty simulation complement each other. While out on a St John duty I can now recognise conditions much more quickly, because I have had to study the condition I am acting in great depth and detail. Conversely, when I am acting I can draw upon my St John experiences of seeing patients and try to recreate what I saw to make the scenario more realistic.”
I don’t have any experience applying makeup - can I still join?
Certainly. Not everyone finds the makeup easy but provided you practise what you are taught you are sure to improve.
Do I have to buy my own makeup?
This depends on the unit you join. Some may give you your makeup kits, others will ask you to pay for some items but then you claim back a little money each time you use them on our duties so that eventually you are fully reimbursed. Some of it is made at home using every day ingridients, such as our ‘false tissue’ (flesh paste) and blood-like liquid.
What is the time commitment?
It’s your choice and depends on the amount of free time you have. The more you do with us the more interesting, rewarding and enjoyable it is.
What are the upfront costs?
Our members pay annual subscriptions, which are an important source of income to our charity, and help us cover our costs of insurance, the documents you receive on joining, including a comprehensive Training Manual, a quarterly magazine delivered to your door, and other administration and governance costs. Your unit leader or Headquarters will explain the rates.
Do I get reimbursed for travel?
You claim your travel costs when attending a duty, whether it’s public transport fares or mileage rates for driving. Travel to training sessions at your unit is at your own expense.
Are there any other roles within CU?
If you want to work with us but not as a ‘casualty’, you can join as a Supporter Member. Local units might invite you to help with their book-keeping, recruiting campaigns or research. Headquarters needs people skilled in finance, publicity, marketing, IT – the list is endless. If you want to train as a ‘casualty’, you can later progress through grades that involve demonstrating and teaching our techniques.
Can I mention CU involvement on my CV?
Any CV looks good if you have given your time as a volunteer to a worthy cause, as it shows the kind of person you are. If you are seeking work in the performing arts, your experience and training in casualty simulation could be very relevant.
Some of our Clients
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