Get Involved
Volunteer your time, make a donation, or partner with us to bring health information to the workers who keep Lochaber’s economy moving.
Volunteer your time, make a donation, or partner with us to bring health information to the workers who keep Lochaber’s economy moving.
Vibrant Health Advocates - Helix runs on the generosity of the Fort William community — employers who open their staffrooms, individuals who give their time, and funders who understand that a healthy seasonal workforce benefits the whole town.
Whether you work in tourism, health, or simply believe that everyone passing through Fort William deserves fair access to health information, there is a meaningful way for you to be part of what we do. We are a small team doing substantive work, and every contribution extends our reach into the seasonal workforce that keeps Lochaber’s economy running.
Since 2019 we have supported over 540 workers per year, run more than 130 drop-in sessions annually, and built partnerships with 22 local employers. None of that would have been possible without people — community members, health professionals, tourism businesses — choosing to support what we do.
We are always looking for people with backgrounds in health, social care, or community work to train as health advocates. Volunteering with Helix typically involves a half-day commitment per week during the April-to-October season, with full training provided.
Previous experience in nursing, pharmacy, social work, or community health is valued but not always required. We train for the role. If you have the right instincts — patience, warmth, and the ability to give clear information without judgment — we want to hear from you.
Enquire about volunteeringEvery pound we receive goes directly into maintaining our drop-in space, funding advocate training, and covering outreach travel costs across Lochaber. We are a lean organisation — your donation reaches the work, not an administration layer.
We are grateful for donations of any size. If you are a UK taxpayer, a Gift Aid declaration means we can claim an additional 25p for every pound you give at no extra cost to you. Contact us and we will send you a declaration form.
Get in touch to donateIf you employ seasonal workers in Fort William or the wider Lochaber area, we would like to talk to you about running health information sessions for your team. Employer partnership is free to you and requires minimal preparation on your side.
We currently work with hotels, hostels, outdoor activity centres, guiding companies, and catering operations across the region. What we ask for is a private space and thirty minutes of your workers’ time. What you get is a team that is better informed, more confident about managing their own health, and less likely to end up in A&E with something that could have been addressed earlier.
Discuss a partnershipSeasonal workers are economically vital to Fort William — they staff the kitchens, lead the tours, run the accommodation. But they often fall through the cracks of services designed around permanent residents. Helix is built on the premise that a worker’s health needs do not become less real because their contract is temporary.
When you volunteer, donate, or partner with us, you are not just supporting a small charity. You are helping build the argument — at NHS Highland and Highland Council level — that itinerant workers deserve systematic health support. Every session we run, every worker we help, and every data point we collect strengthens that case.
The work has never been glamorous. It has always been necessary. Come be part of it.
Get in touch today
The community Helix serves
Ready to volunteer, donate, or explore a partnership? We reply to all enquiries within two working days.