How to volunteer
If you want to become a volunteer, and submit it.
Who can volunteer?
Anyone aged 18 or over, with some time to spare who is happy to complete the DBS process, undergo training and adhere to the scheme’s policies and procedures.
What can you offer?
All help is appreciated. Requests we have received so far include help with dog walking; giving lifts or doing shopping; small practical jobs around the house or garden. What is always valued is the time taken by volunteers to listen to and talk with the people they assist. There are also a number of administrative tasks necessary for the smooth running of the scheme e.g. matching requests to volunteers; training and safe-guarding volunteers; serving on the management group or helping with publicity.
Availability
You state what days and times you are available. You can specify what help you would like to give and how much time you can offer. Just complete and return this form.
Expenses
You will receive payment for any costs you incur in providing transport or materials. Should you use your vehicle to transport clients you will be required to confirm that you hold suitable insurance and the car is roadworthy and has a valid MOT certificate, (if more than 3 years old).
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
As you will be in a position of trust, you will need to go through the standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) process. This can be done ‘on-line’ and is free of charge through the scheme. You will be sent the certificate directly, which can then be updated on line (if you wish). You will need to provide the scheme with the number of your certificate.
Training
You will be asked to attend an introductory training session, which normally lasts about 2 hours. The training covers basic information about the operation of the scheme, personal safety and all relevant policies and procedures.
Insurance
All volunteers, when operating in accordance with the scheme’s policies and procedures, are covered by the scheme’s insurance policy and have all necessary Public Liability and Personal Accident cover.
Safeguarding
If you visit someone as a volunteer and you notice or are told something that makes you think that someone is not safe or could be being abused in some way, then the scheme has a procedure you should follow [see tabs under the top menu tab About us >> click on Policies & Procedures >>click on Safeguarding Procedure ].
Your safety as a volunteer is also very important to us. How we ensure you are safe will be explained in detail during the training. Following the training you will still be expected to make a ‘common sense’ risk assessment of every situation you find yourself in while volunteering.
Helping to run the scheme
The scheme is run in a very cost-effective manner, thanks to the voluntary activity of its members. The scheme is entirely volunteer run.
There are a number of administrative tasks necessary for the smooth running of the scheme e.g. matching requests to volunteers (a coordinator role); training and safe-guarding volunteers; serving on the management group or helping with publicity. We would welcome any help that can be given in these roles.
Fundraising
The running costs of the scheme are not great; however we have to raise some funds each year to cover the cost of publicity (e.g. leaflets and advertising) and other running costs (e.g. insurance, telephone and internet costs). Any help with this, or contribution to the costs, will be much appreciated. You can make a donation under the ‘Donations’ tab on this website.
Volunteers Info
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