Volunteer network
Engaging communities—whether from home or in person—has the power to change how the world understands pain. By fostering awareness, empathy, and empowerment, we can create a future where pain is recognized, respected, and better addressed.
Whether it’s raising awareness in your local community, advocating so our voices are heard, or providing information to those who need it most, your voice and actions matter.
Join us today and become part of our network of volunteers.
You can make a difference
Ready to get started?
Ways To Volunteer
Set Up an Awareness Table
Setting up an information table or booth is an excellent way to educate the public about chronic pain and the resources available through the U.S. Pain. Ideal locations include local libraries, hospital lobbies, town halls, community centers, health fairs, and other high-traffic community spaces.
Deliver a Powerful Talk
Speaking at your workplace, school, or a local city council meeting can feel intimidating, but it’s a powerful way to raise awareness about chronic pain. The most impactful talks weave in personal stories, making the issue real and relatable. Need guidance? Join our network and we can help!
Share Free U.S. Pain Materials
U.S. Pain offers a variety of free print resources, including magazines, informational booklets, fact sheets, and bracelets, all available at no cost to you. We encourage you to distribute these materials, especially to health care providers, to help raise awareness and support those living with pain.
Take Part in A Survey
U.S. Pain conducts surveys on important topics related to pain management. Your responses help shine a light on the challenges faced by patients, ultimately driving change. Survey invitations are typically sent via email, so be sure you’re reading our emails to stay informed!
Submit Your Blog Idea for Our Website
We’d love to hear your ideas for our site! Before diving into writing a guest blog, please submit your topic proposal first. This allows us to review the idea and ensure it’s a good fit for our audience. If needed, we can offer guidance to help shape the blog.
Take Action on Policy
U.S. Pain actively creates online campaigns with pre-written emails that make it easy for you to contact your representatives—just a few clicks, and you’re ready to send your message. In addition, we can help you talk with your legislators or their staff to discuss the issues that impact you.
Consider Becoming a Peer Leader
Join our Pain Connection network! To become a peer support group leader, you’ll undergo training and receive ongoing support from our Director of Mental Health and Peer Support, providing you with the tools to make a meaningful impact.
Suggest a Guest Speaker
We’re always looking for knowledgeable experts—ranging from health care providers to patients—to speak at our upcoming events. If you know someone who would be a great fit, we’d love to hear from you!
Host a Fundraiser
Host a fundraiser for U.S. Pain to support our programs and services. Whether in person or through a simple online Facebook fundraiser, your efforts make a difference. We’re here to help you get started and are grateful for your support!
Join or Share Our Events!
We host a variety of events, both online and in person. Participate in our webinars and events, and help spread the word by promoting them on social media. Your support makes a difference!
FAQs about volunteering
How much time do I need to volunteer?
That is totally up to you! We appreciate any help you can provide, even if it’s just five minutes a month. We understand that living with pain can make it hard to predict what you can do and make it difficult to find the energy for activities outside of your daily responsibilities.
How do I sign up?
Signing up is fast and easy. Just fill out this online application form.
I’ve signed up. Now what?
Now that you’ve signed up as a volunteer, you’ll receive email notifications about opportunities to take action or get involved, as well as information about how to join our Volunteer Network Facebook group and optional monthly Zoom meetings. That said, volunteering is entirely what you make of it! We encourage you to take initiative and let us know of ways you’d like to contribute that are meaningful to you. Explore the list of suggestions on this page to get started.
How do I help spread the word about U.S. Pain?
There are so many ways to do so! You can order and distribute materials, for starters. We also love when volunteers set up information tables in their communities (at a local hospital, community center, senior center, etc.). An easy way to spread the word from home is by resharing our social media posts. And you can always tell other pain warriors about us, whether in online support groups or an in-person one.
How can I get my health care provider involved?
There are a few ways to get your health care provider involved. 1) Offer to order materials to their office for distribution, and 2) Ask them if they’d be interested in writing a guest blog post or speaking at a webinar.
I’m concerned about a bill, law or policy in my state. What do I do?
To see what issues we’re most focused on, visit our advocacy page. If you’ve encountered a policy that you’d like us to be aware of, or you want to take action on a policy independently, email us at [email protected] to let us know and we’ll see if we can lend a hand.
What types of policies does U.S. Pain focus on?
To see what issues we’re most focused on, visit the advocacy page. Keep in mind that these issues may fluctuate as the legislative landscape changes.
I can’t leave my house because of my health/disabilities. Can I still volunteer?
Of course! In fact, the majority of our volunteer opportunities are structured so that they can be done from the comfort of your couch. Explore the list of suggestions on this page to get started.
Can I start a peer support group on behalf of U.S. Pain?
We are always seeking to expand our network of online peer support groups. In order to facilitate an official U.S. Pain Foundation peer group, you must attend a Pain Connection training. Keep an eye out for details about upcoming trainings here.
Can I speak on behalf of U.S. Pain at a public event, or in communications with media/policymakers?
If you would like to speak on behalf of U.S. Pain Foundation in a public forum (a hearing, a media interview, writing an op-ed), we ask that you get permission first from U.S. Pain Foundation. For details, email [email protected].
Do policymakers pay attention when we send an email via an online action campaign?
Online action campaigns are a powerful way to rally the pain community and make our voices heard. While the likelihood that a policymaker personally reads each email depends on the issue and their level of interest, one thing is certain: when enough people send messages about the same topic, it gets noticed. If you’re concerned that your email may not stand out, consider following up with a direct call to the policymaker’s office or requesting a meeting to discuss the issue in person. Every action helps build momentum!
Does volunteering really make a difference?
YES! If you drop off resources at your doctor’s office, you have the potential to help many people in your community. If you write a letter to the editor in your local newspaper, you’re helping foster empathy for your neighbors living with pain. If you raise $5 in a Facebook fundraiser, that goes toward sending out free materials so people have the information they need. It all matters. To see more of what we are able to accomplish because of our volunteers, visit our annual reports.