Involving volunteers for the first time or moving towards a more structured way of volunteer management is an exiting time with many changes ahead. It’s important to take some time to consider some of the following:

• Why would you like to involve volunteers?
• What kind of tasks could volunteers carry out?
• Is everyone on board with involving volunteers?
• Who will be responsible for looking after volunteers?
• Have you got the resources to involve volunteers?
• Have you got a Health & Safety policy and insurance?

Running through the above questions will help you identify the areas you have already covered and those where you may have to spend some more time planning.

Volunteer Centre Southwark can support you in making sure that the process is smooth one and your volunteer programme suits you and your volunteers well. Some of the areas we can support you with are:

• Creating appropriate role descriptions for volunteers
• Developing recruitment and support structures for volunteers
• Developing forms, guidance and handbooks
• Developing a volunteer policy
• Provide advice on good practice and legal issues around volunteering

We also have a variety of resources available to you, such as downloadable templates, a good practice guide and links on one-line forums and other god practice banks. You can find out more on our Resources and Useful links page.

Would you like to discuss your volunteer programme with someone directly and get support setting things up?
Please contact us on 0207 703 4205 or email goodpractice@volunteercentres.org.uk