Introduction to Volunteering

AimsTo learn……more about volunteering

…how to find local opportunities

…how to choose the right role for you

…how to begin volunteering

What is volunteering?

There is no legal definition but we find this the most useful:

“An activity which involves spending unpaid time doing something to benefit the environment, individuals or groups other than close relatives.” [Sheffield Hallam University]

Choosing not to be paid or caring for a close relative is not considered formal volunteering.

Our volunteers tell us they volunteer to help others and…

… improve employability through training and experience

…maintain and increase skills between jobs …try something out before changing careers …structure their time …mix socially …keep physically and mentally active …share life experiences - positive or negative …use or learn practical skills …use professional/work skills and experience

To find out more, take our true or false quick quiz.

Which statements are true?

1. Volunteer Centre Camden [VCC] introduces volunteers to not-for-profit organisations looking for volunteers in Camden.

2. We have around 200 member organisations, none of which are public sector (eg schools, hospitals) or private sector (eg care homes, supermarkets).

3. Every borough has a Volunteer Centre and all our opportunities are on this national database:

www.do-it.org.uk

All true - now try these…4. Jobseekers can volunteer for ‘as many hours as

they like.’5 Ex-offenders can volunteer, depending on their

offence.

6. Asylum seekers and refugees can volunteer.

7. People with physical, mental or learning impairment can volunteer.

8. Students and under-18s can volunteer

again, all true - here are some examples

“We know that volunteering can give you a much better chance of finding paid work. So you can volunteer as many hours as you like as long as you keep to the rules.”*

Jobseeker volunteers must: actively look for paid work; be free to attend interviews and begin paid work tell advisers that they are volunteering and if they receive travel, meals or other expenses.

*www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dwp1023

Jobseekers - our offer• We introduce jobseekers to our member organisations which

specialise in helping people find paid work [see factsheet]

• We work individually with jobseekers to find opportunities which fit their time commitments. Currently, we have:

Playschemes: fit around school hours, holidays & childcareTelephone/email from home: befriending a socially isolated person

for an hour a weekOnline: researching, data entry, finding funding for charities Social media: up-dating twitter, facebook, website informationWeekend, evening or one-off events: festivals, performance, sport,

art or mentoringLunch/community clubs: offering entry-level NVQs

Number crunch

22% of volunteers gained paid work after volunteering

[VSC Programme Jan 2012 - October 2013]

compared with

14.7% of jobseekers on The Work Programme [DWP: 1.6.2011 - 30.6.2013]

[source: Sheffield University]

Ex-offenders volunteering

• Depending on the offence, organisations will judge whether this is relevant to the role

• Our organisations which help people to recover from negative experiences value your life experience as a mentor, champion or advocate.

• The DBS [Disclosure & Barring Service, formerly CRB] check arranged by the organisation if you will be in contact with vulnerable clients.

Volunteers from outside the UK An EU or European Economic Area citizen can volunteer.

Non-EU holders of a Visitor Visa cannot volunteer.

Asylum seekers and refugees can volunteer

Many member organisations offer ESOL courses, peer support and opportunities to use your first language.

Other members offer the chance to practice at every level of ESOL and to learn about “Life in the UK” for citizenship preparation.

Physical, mental or learning impairment volunteering

Our member organisations value life experience. They want as wide a range of volunteers as possible. Current offers include:

Peer mentoring/befriending: volunteers are trained and supported to use their insights to help others with similar experiences

“Skill-up for Volunteering” course for young adults with learning impairment run by Elfrida Rathbone Camden

Trusteeship: Each charity has a Board of Trustees responsible for its strategy and effectiveness. The Board includes people with specific expertise or experience, supported by further training. We offer an initial meeting with an experienced Trustee to discuss your interest.

continued…

continued…

Employability skills: Pre-employment learning such as social, communication, organisational and life skills.

Socialising: A chance to meet or join a small team of like-minded volunteers, giving as much structure to your free-time as you choose.

Home volunteering: flexible opportunities (and training) which use telephone, email, social media or computer software for a wide range of uses including finding new funds for charities

We offer volunteers …

quick, easy registration - no CVs, references etc.

free, one-to-one, on-going support to choose the right opportunity for you

an introduction to our member organisations

information about paid employment or training from our employment support organisations

various ways to find opportunities [contact details on our website]

Want to take the next step?

View current opportunities, case studies andfactsheets on our website at:www.volunteercentrecamden.org.ukOr www.do-it.org.uk

Receive opportunities via email by:registering with a ‘matchmaker’ at an event

Meet one-to-one with a ‘matchmaker’ bytelephoning us at 020 7424 9990 or via email:Info@volunteercentrecamden.org.uk

Speak directly to member organisations at our monthlyVolunteering Fairs [details on our leaflet and website]

Thank you…

… for considering volunteering in Camden !