As we head into the 30th year of the PBC Foundation, a lot has changed — the world around us, the understanding of PBC, and the way charities operate.

Our volunteers have always been at the heart of the Foundation, and the time, kindness and connection they bring to our community makes a real difference to the lives of people affected by PBC.

To make sure we continue to support everyone in the best possible way, we’ve made some thoughtful updates to how volunteering works within the Foundation.

Our aim is simple: to ensure volunteering remains safe, welcoming and meaningful for everyone involved.

What’s the focus?

Our recent updates are all about:

• Making volunteer roles clear and well defined
• Supporting volunteers to feel confident and comfortable
• Keeping our community safe and protected

These changes help ensure that everyone who connects with the Foundation — whether online, by phone, or in person — receives consistent, safe and supportive experiences.

Why have things changed?

Charities today are expected to follow clear procedures and safeguarding standards.

These help protect:

• Our community
• Our volunteers
• The Foundation

Because of this, we’ve updated how volunteering works — while keeping the heart of community connection at the centre of everything we do.

Introducing Community Café Hosts

In 2026 we are introducing a new volunteer role: Community Café Host.

Community Café Hosts help bring people together in local areas by hosting informal meet-ups where people affected by PBC can connect with others who understand.

This replaces our previous regional volunteer model, allowing roles to be clearer and more focused on community connection.

You can read more about how Community Cafés work in our Community Café article Connecting Through Community Cafés | PBC Foundation

Interested in volunteering?

If you would like to find out more about becoming a volunteer, we would love to hear from you.

Please get in touch with Cheryll, our Patient Services Manager, for an informal chat about volunteering with the Foundation.  Cheryll@pbcfoundation.org.uk

We are always grateful to those who choose to give their time to support the PBC community.