Branch & volunteer services - FAQ

We are here to help NCT volunteers run their part of the NCT and to encourage new volunteers to join their branch teams.  If you haven’t been able to reach your regional coordinator with your enquiry or interest, then we are here to help.  

Much of what you need is on Update Online but we know it isn’t always easy to locate the information you’re seeking. If you can’t find what you need, then please call us on 0208 752 2392 or email us.   

Who we are

We are Steve,Carol, Shirley, Salina and Liz, the friendly team who take your calls, based at the UK office in London.  

Ruth is the Branch & Volunteer Services Manager.

We are here from 9.00am to 5.00pm each week day, or you can leave a voice mail message for us out of hours. When leaving us a message please remember to let us know your branch and phone number so that we can call you back with more ease.

Frequently asked questions

1. How do I login to Update Online?   

Please visit Update Online or click through via the members’ area on this website. Use your membership number as your username and password; after logging in you have the option to change your password.

2. How do I get a copy of the insurance certificate?

Please log on to http://www.update.nct.org.uk/admin/insurance

3. How do I update team/committee members/branch roles etc?

Your Branch Secretary or Coordinator can do this through the online Branch Information Form (BIF).

4. How do I update branch events/contacts on the branch pages on the website?

You may have a branch web master but if not you can visit http://www.update.nct.org.uk/guides/web to access our selection of branch web guides. In these guides you will find information on how to:

• Plan your web space
• Access the content management system (CMS)
• Use the CMS
• Create pages and subpages
• Create events
• Create courses
• Upload documents and images

They are easy to follow, even if you haven’t worked on the web before but if  you have any further queries please contact mailto:%20branchsupport@nct.org.uk.  

5. What support is available for a struggling branch?

Contact your regional coordinator in the first instance.

6. How do we order materials for my branch?

You can order materials for your branch through the branch order form. It’s a good idea to check whether anyone else in the branch needs anything so you can do one order and pay one handling charge.  

7. Our branch has been approached by someone wanting to train as a specialist worker, what should we do?

Make them welcome, especially if they’re new to the NCT. They’ll be interested to know what you do to support parents in your area and how they can get involved. They should be given plenty of opportunities to volunteer but you should not expect them to fill a team/committee post with major responsibilities. You should work together on a grant application to cover training costs.  The fundraising team at UK office can help you get started on a grant application. The grants will also cover expenses as well sometimes.  

You should also make sure any potential student has read our information on training and has contacted the education team to register their interest. Provided they are on the UK office database the Education team will be in touch with them to discuss funding and will contact the branch if they are needed to help other than writing a grant application.  

For branches supporting students in the old system please contact your regional coordinator if you are worried about your ability to support the student.

8. I would like to train as a specialist worker, where do I start?

Please read our information on training and email us to express an interest. Make contact with your branch team if they’re not already aware of your interest and help them by volunteering so you are familiar with the work of the charity, and especially the support network that your branch provides for parents-to-be and new parents.  You will need this awareness once you begin your training. Helping at the branch's activities for parents and at their fundraising events makes it more likely that the NCT will be able to find the money needed to support the costs of your training and you should work with the branch to make a grant application for the fees. Grants sometimes cover your own expenses too.   

9. Our branch would like to arrange some training for our volunteers?

Visit your region’s page to see if there’s a regional training day coming up and book the volunteers on. That way, they’ll be able to network with volunteers in other branches and get lots of extra hints and tips. If not, contact your regional coordinator to fix a convenient time for a session in your branch – perhaps you can also invite neighbouring branches.

10. How do I get access to online banking for our branch accounts?

Please contact branchsupport@nct.org.uk   or call 0208 752 2392