Shiney Advice & Resource Project

Volunteers – Support and Recruitment

Volunteers:

Are people who are, unpaid and of their own free will, contribute their time, energy and skills to benefit people in the community.

Volunteering is Voluntary:

Something an individual chooses to do; there is no duress or coercion. Their time is given freely.

Volunteering is Unpaid:

There is no payment or expectation of payment. ShARP reimburses any expenses for volunteers, which ensures that volunteers are not out of pocket as a consequence of their volunteering. For example bus fares, petrol money, and a sandwich for lunch. Child care costs can also be covered.

Every Individual has the Right to Volunteer:

Volunteering can be associated with a charitable or voluntary body. It can also include involvement with statutory agencies, self-help and informal community groups.

Stephen Prince, Barry Simpson and Clive Lee being presented with their Welfare Rights Course certificates by Tutor Michael Rooney

The Benefits of Volunteering:

Meeting people and making new friends, gaining new skills, improving your C.V. confidence building, filling In spare time, gaining satisfaction and personal fulfilment, getting involved, having fun! Volunteers can give many skills to ShARP for example, administration skills, reception skill, and any advice skills and financial skills.

Recruitment:

Before volunteering an initial interview is set up with potential volunteers to enable them to visit the centre and be introduced to staff and board members. Volunteers are also asked about past experiences to enable ShARP to understand their needs better. For example what they are hoping to gain from volunteering.

Support for Volunteers:

All volunteers are given full support by staff in either administration tasks or advice.

Training is given on computers and all other administration tasks. Volunteers are also encouraged to shadow advice workers and watch how they work. Volunteers are also encouraged to attend any training courses either at ShARP or at other education centres.

All volunteers are made aware of all of ShARP’s policies and procedures, and tare given their own volunteer handbook.

Volunteering

The Facts

The Benefits of Volunteering