Volunteer Policy

Volunteer Policy

1. Introduction

Women Health Center aims to: serve the community by changing the lives of women from a local level through education and informative innovative channels, and volunteers make a vital contribution to our aims. We recognise the added value that volunteers bring to our organisation and those who use our services. Volunteer involvement in this organisation does not replace or devalue the role of paid staff.

Within Women Health Center volunteers are involved in:

• Board of Directors/Management Committee
• List of roles undertaken by volunteers

Women Health Center aims to have a reciprocal and mutually beneficial relationship with our volunteers; with their involvement informing and developing our work, and our work enabling individuals to learn skills and achieve personal development through their volunteering.

The involvement of volunteers will be guided by the following principles of good practice:

• the tasks to be performed by volunteers will be clearly defined, so that all everyone is sure of their respective roles and responsibilities;
• the organisation will comply with the Data Protection Act in the use of data held on all volunteers;
• volunteering opportunities will complement rather than replace the work of paid staff
• volunteers will be provided with regular opportunities to share ideas/concerns with a named contact in line with our Support and Supervision Policy;
• all existing and future policies will be checked as to how they affect volunteers

2. The Purpose of this Policy

By adopting this policy Women Health Center aims to:

• highlight and acknowledge the value of the contribution made by volunteers;
• reflect the purpose, values, standards and strategies of the organisation in its approach to involving volunteers;
• recognise the respective roles, rights and responsibilities of volunteers;
• confirm this organisation’s commitment to involving volunteers in its work;
• establish clear principles for the involvement of volunteers; and
• ensure the ongoing quality of both the volunteering opportunities on offer and the work carried out by our volunteers;

This policy provides an overview of the activities carried out by volunteers currently and provides a basis for the expansion, if required, for the role of volunteers alongside paid staff.  This document and the associated policy, procedures and guidance provide a framework for the involvement of volunteers.

3. Recruitment and Selection

Women Health Center will adhere to its equalities and diversity policy when recruiting and selecting volunteers.  All potential volunteers will be asked to complete a volunteer’s application/registration form. Written task descriptions will outline time, commitment, necessary skills and actual duties. Where there is specific training required this will be highlighted as part of the recruitment process. Where there is a requirement for a Disclosure Check this will be highlighted as part of the recruitment process. All volunteers will be required to provide 2 references. Where individuals cannot be placed we will endeavour to refer them to another agency who can support them to find a volunteering opportunity.

Support and Supervision

Once placed, we will expect volunteers to comply with existing policies and procedures.

All volunteers will have an induction to their volunteering which will involve an overview of the relevant policies and procedures. Following Induction, volunteers will have regular support and supervision meetings with a named contact to identify areas for development, or to discuss any issues. A record of these discussions will be held as part of the individual volunteer’s records. Volunteers can have access to their records at any time.

Volunteers will be able to claim reasonable expenses for their volunteering in line with the Expenses Policy. Volunteers should discuss any planned expenditure prior to incurring this expenses to ensure that it will be covered by the organisation.

Where volunteers have holidays or other commitments which mean that they cannot attend their normal volunteering, they should advise their named contact to ensure that we can arrange alternative cover. If volunteers require a longer break from their volunteering, they should discuss this with their named contact. Women Health Center will endeavour to be as flexible as possible to accommodate the needs of volunteers.

Volunteers can access learning and development opportunities which are relevant to their volunteering role throughout their time with Women Health Center. Opportunities for Learning and Development will form part of the discussions at support and supervision sessions.

Problem Solving

Where a concern is highlighted – either by a volunteer or about a volunteer, this will be dealt with using the organisation’s Disciplinary, Grievance and Dismissal Policy.