Sample volunteer opportunity

It is important to plan a volunteer opportunity before recruiting for the role.

The following preparatory work is important:

Clarify within the organisation why you are involving volunteers, not only what tasks they might do, but what the benefits are, for the organisation, its users and volunteers themselves.
Be clear what your volunteer policy says about the role of volunteers in the organisation. (Please contact us if you need to develop/update a volunteer policy.)
Clarify the position on support, training, expenses, insurance etc.
Liase with colleagues so that everyone knows what is going on, and particularly how to deal with enquiries if the person responsible for co-ordinating volunteers is unavailable.
Make sure there are the resources to involve volunteers, e.g. enough office space, money for expenses etc.
Be clear what will happen when people get in touch, e.g. is there an interview, CRB check, application form to fill in, an induction meeting etc?
Break the role down into specific tasks.
Be clear if particular skills or experience are essential, but avoid excluding people by being unnecessarily rigid about what is required.

You might find some of our essential guides useful in this process.

Alternatively, if you would like to have some assistance on planning a volunteer opportunity, please contact our membership coordinator team.