Recruitment is now closed for the Spring Telethon 2023.
Thank you for your interest. We’ll be running another telethon in early 2024, but in the meantime you can read more about what the role involves below.
What is the Telethon?
The Telethon is the Department of Development & Alumni Relations' biggest fundraising event of the year. Last year our Student Fundraisers spoke to over 3,000 alumni, raising over £180,000.
The campaign isn’t just about raising much-needed funds: you’ll be reconnecting many alumni with the University, finding out more about them and their interests, and gaining some valuable insight into life after graduation.
Who can apply?
Any current students not on a placement year who can commit to the required shifts (see below). You must also be living in the UK at the time of calling.
If you are a UK or Irish citizen, you must provide your passport in person for scanning. Once you have applied, you will receive a confirmation email which includes dates and times for you to do this as soon as possible. The available dates are: Wednesday 30 November, Tuesday 6 December, Wednesday 14 December, Tuesday 20 December and Wednesday 11 January.
All other applicants will need to be able to complete the Home Office Right to Work Check via Teams. Tier 4 students will need to be able to complete up to 12 hours a week on the Telethon, so please ensure this is possible alongside any other working commitments.
What will I have to do?
As a caller, you’ll earn money while getting excellent work experience and having great conversations with fellow members of the University community.
This year’s Telethon will take place off-campus, so offers great flexibility. Working from home, you'll use specialist software to call alumni over a period of six weeks between Saturday 11 February and Sunday 26 March.
All callers will need to commit to attending both training days (Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 February) and complete three shifts per week for the duration of the campaign, including one on a Saturday or Sunday.
The full job description can be read here.
Key dates
- Application deadline: 11.59pm, Wednesday 11 January (or sooner, if the team is full)
- ID checks to be booked: Wednesday 30 November, Tuesday 6 December, Wednesday 14 December, Tuesday 20 December and Wednesday 11 January
- Selection sessions (via Teams/Zoom): Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 January (session approx. 1.5 hrs)
- Training (compulsory and online): Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 February (9am - 4pm)
- Calling dates: Sunday 12 February to Sunday 26 March
Pay
Pay is £10.61 per hour plus holiday pay (£11.89 total per hour), paid monthly in arrears. (Breaks on the training days and weekend calling shifts are unpaid.)
You will need to complete an electronic timesheet each week recording the hours you have worked. Please ensure you have a National Insurance number.
There are £10 vouchers to be won on each shift and an extra thank-you bonus for everyone completing all their shifts over the six-week campaign.
Shift times
Training days
- Saturday 11 February: 9am - 4pm
- Sunday 12 February: 9am - 4pm
Calling sessions
- Weekdays: 6pm - 9.15pm
- Saturdays: 9.45am - 5pm (1 hr lunch)
- Sundays: 1.45pm - 8pm (1 hr dinner)
Days off from calling will be Thursday 16 February, Tuesday 21 February and then every Wednesday. Shift patterns will be confirmed nearer to the time.
You will have the option to select shifts within the weekly rota to best fit with your commitments. There may also be the option of working additional shifts.
Training
Successful applicants (including previous callers) will need to complete both days of training. This will all be online, but expect plenty of activity, games and breaks!
Equipment needed
You'll need a suitable PC or laptop and a smartphone. You will also need to be able to work your shifts in a quiet room at home where you can make calls uninterrupted.
Contract
All successful applicants will need to read and sign an online University of Bath contract before starting work. To be issued with a contract you must have provided ID and proof of eligibility to work.
The team
As a caller, you’ll be a very important part of the team. Day-to-day you’ll be managed by our specialist fundraising agency, Buffalo, and our campaign manager, Tom. You’ll speak to Buffalo about recruitment, training and booking shifts, and they will support you with all your calling needs.
The University staff on the team are Gemma Hill and John Richardson, who have overall responsibility for the campaign.