Become a speaker

If you enjoy talking to groups about what the bible says on poverty and justice, and want to inspire others to take action, we need you! We are looking to train enthusiastic communicators to become part of our UK Tearfund Speaker team: people who share our values, are keen to develop their skills and passionate about justice and communication.

We believe that the church is God's solution to ending extreme poverty. As a volunteer speaker with us, you will be attending Sunday services (either online or in-person) and sharing a message with the church, usually during their sermon slot. We will provide you with training and all the materials and information that you need to do this well.

Watch our short video and see if you have what it takes.

Short video about becoming a Tearfund speaker

"Being a speaker has challenged and strengthened my faith. It reminds me how good our God is." Sue, Tearfund speaker

Apply now to speak out about poverty. Email [email protected] or for Northern Ireland email [email protected]

FAQs

Your experience can be from anywhere! If you are a confident, inspiring speaker, we’d love you to join our team.

Your experience can be from anywhere! If you are a confident, inspiring speaker, we’d love you to join our team.
No. Of course it would be great if you have, but it is not essential. We’ll give you Bible passages and example talks to help you communicate about people in poverty from a Biblical perspective. But you must be used to speaking from the Bible in a Christian setting.

No. Of course it would be great if you have, but it is not essential. We’ll give you Bible passages and example talks to help you communicate about people in poverty from a Biblical perspective. But you must be used to speaking from the Bible in a Christian setting.
All of our speakers must agree with Tearfund’s basis of faith, which you can read here.

All of our speakers must agree with Tearfund’s basis of faith, which you can read here.
First, you just need to complete a volunteer application form and get a reference from your church leader. If your application is successful, we will start to train you as soon as possible.

First, you just need to complete a volunteer application form and get a reference from your church leader. If your application is successful, we will start to train you as soon as possible.
Our expert training will help you to better understand the work about our partners releasing people from poverty across the world. It will also give you quality communications training to help you deliver a powerful talk. Training usually lasts three hours, either one-to-one or in a group at a location that suits you.

Depending on your speaking experience, you’ll be confirmed as an accredited speaker when you’ve completed your first speaking engagement or after you’ve presented a talk for your trainer.

Our expert training will help you to better understand the work about our partners releasing people from poverty across the world. It will also give you quality communications training to help you deliver a powerful talk. Training usually lasts three hours, either one-to-one or in a group at a location that suits you.

Depending on your speaking experience, you’ll be confirmed as an accredited speaker when you’ve completed your first speaking engagement or after you’ve presented a talk for your trainer.
Our trainers always arrange training sessions in a location convenient to you. Training sessions are currently being run online.

Our trainers always arrange training sessions in a location convenient to you. Training sessions are currently being run online.
Yes.

Yes.
We will provide you with inspiring and interesting materials to support your talk and help you prepare. We also offer training opportunities throughout the year. You will be supported by one of our team members before and after your speaking engagement and we’re here to help whenever you need anything.

As a speaker, you’ll be part of a team of volunteers travelling the country to help raise awareness and support for people in poverty. We'll keep you updated about the amazing impact you’re having on people in poverty.

We will provide you with inspiring and interesting materials to support your talk and help you prepare. We also offer training opportunities throughout the year. You will be supported by one of our team members before and after your speaking engagement and we’re here to help whenever you need anything.

As a speaker, you’ll be part of a team of volunteers travelling the country to help raise awareness and support for people in poverty. We'll keep you updated about the amazing impact you’re having on people in poverty.
We ask you to commit to at least four speaking engagements a year. If you want to do more than four, that’s great.

We ask you to commit to at least four speaking engagements a year. If you want to do more than four, that’s great.
Yes, as well as communicating God's compassion for people living in poverty, you will help raise vital funds for poor communities. Speaking engagements are a great way to welcome even more support. The more people who give regularly, the more communities will be helped to lift themselves out of poverty. We always make sure the churches you speak at are happy for you to ask for financial support.

Yes, as well as communicating God's compassion for people living in poverty, you will help raise vital funds for poor communities. Speaking engagements are a great way to welcome even more support. The more people who give regularly, the more communities will be helped to lift themselves out of poverty. We always make sure the churches you speak at are happy for you to ask for financial support.
We wouldn't be able to do vital work releasing people from poverty without the support and commitment of people like you. We want you to have an excellent experience as a Tearfund speaker. We have a volunteer charter that details our commitment to you, and sets out what we ask in return.

We wouldn't be able to do vital work releasing people from poverty without the support and commitment of people like you. We want you to have an excellent experience as a Tearfund speaker. We have a volunteer charter that details our commitment to you, and sets out what we ask in return.
You must be willing to travel about an hour from your home to a speaking engagement. If you plan to travel by public transport, we are happy to take this into account, but this may limit some of the speaking engagements we can offer to you.

You must be willing to travel about an hour from your home to a speaking engagement. If you plan to travel by public transport, we are happy to take this into account, but this may limit some of the speaking engagements we can offer to you.
We’re happy to pay for your transport costs to and from a speaking engagement.

We’re happy to pay for your transport costs to and from a speaking engagement.
Many of our speaking engagements are for Sunday church services, so we ask you to be available on at least four Sundays a year.

Many of our speaking engagements are for Sunday church services, so we ask you to be available on at least four Sundays a year.