Volunteering Issues

Do You Need Volunteers?

Volunteers are vital to charitable and voluntary organisations, and may also be involved with statutory agencies, self-help and informal community groups. We can help you find volunteers by referring interested volunteers,and advertising your voluntary vacancies - on-line through www.do-it.org.uk, with local media and on our website.

Rights and responsibilities of volunteers and the organisations that use them

Ensuring volunteer rights

Involve believes that there are some basic expectations that all volunteers can have when they give their time to an organisation:

• volunteers should be given tasks that match their personal goals and motivation as far as is possible within the organisation and should not be expected to undertake tasks that they are uncomfortable with
• volunteers should never be used to perform tasks that are or have previously been done by paid workers
• volunteers should be recruited only where all staff agree to the arrangement and welcome volunteers - paid staff need to have a clear understanding of the role of the volunteer
• it should not cost a volunteer anything to give their time - all out-of-pocket expenses should be met by the organisation
• we expect all volunteer-deploying organisations to be committed to operating an equal opportunities policy and work within it with regard to their volunteers
• the lines of supervision for all volunteers must be clearly delineated. Formal supervision should exist and this should provide volunteers with the opportunity to develop skills. Volunteers should receive other support and training as appropriate
• if a volunteer is not accepted to give time to an organisation, they have a right to know why
• organisations must ensure that their volunteers are fully and appropriately insured and that all health and safety procedures are in place
• volunteers have the right to have access to grievance and appeal procedures and to belong to a union.

Equally, there are certain things that an organisation can expect of its volunteers:

• reliability - if a volunteer makes a commitment to perform certain tasks at certain times they are expected to meet this commitment. Volunteers need time off like everyone else but it is fair to expect them to give some notice
• volunteers must always work within the aims, objectives and ethos of the organisation
• if a volunteer encounters problems with their tasks or with the organisation they should be honest about it
• confidentiality must be respected at all times.

Six top tips for an easy life

There are a few basic steps that organisations can take to help to ensure that things go smoothly and that volunteering is a positive experience, both for the volunteer and the organisation, and to minimise the risk of things going wrong:

• right person, right role - a volunteer interview is the ideal opportunity for both parties to find out about each other. Both the volunteer and the organisation need to know that they can work happily together
• volunteers should be given role descriptions and written outlines of tasks they may be expected to perform. The more clarity there is about expectations before a commitment is made the better
• it is ok to say 'No' - both volunteers and organisations have the right to say if they don't think it will work out. However, explanations should be given for any such decision
• a good induction is essential to help a new volunteer settle into their role. There is often a lot to take in at the beginning and a new person should have access to all the information and support they need at this stage
• a trial period for new volunteers is a good idea for both organisation and volunteer as it builds in an opportunity to review any problems and for either party to pull out of the arrangement if it is not working out. If a trial period is going to be used this must be made clear from the outset and the end of it must be marked even when everything seems to be going well. Trial periods should be applied to all new volunteers not just the ones that the organisation has doubts about
• volunteers need ongoing support and supervision to ensure that they are happy with their role, developing their skills and achieving their full potential within the organisation. Appropriate support ensures that volunteers remain motivated to continue with their voluntary role and helps them to feel valued.

  For more information on volunteering or working with volunteers, visit Volunteering England