Swale Volunteer Centre – How does it work?

We Promote Voluntary work in the Community

• The Volunteer Centre Manager is employed with a brief to cover each of Swale’s main towns.
• All managed projects are cross referred to Volunteer Centre Manager to identify volunteering opportunities.

We Inform local people of the wide range of voluntary work opportunities in their community

• By periodic presentations at managed projects.
• On information Boards at offices and managed projects.
• Using volunteering promotional materials placed in the Swale CVS monthly newsletter..

We Inform Volunteers of their rights

• We hold one to one exploratory interviews with potential volunteers.
• We give out a volunteering information pack to candidates.
• All agencies / organisations / groups receiving a volunteer is provided with an information pack advising them of the  rights of the volunteer.
• Procedures are in place to monitor the volunteers.

We Place Volunteers in a variety of voluntary work

• We hold one to one exploratory interview with potential volunteers.
• We offer information giving a choice of placements.
• We take up references if appropriate.
• We match a Volunteer with a suitable placement

Support Volunteers in their voluntary work

• We follow up volunteers progress after 3 months.
• We ensure volunteers are being supported within their placement.
• We monitor to ensure the volunteer is being used appropriately.
• We enable volunteers to change placements should they so wish

Training for  Volunteers

• We provide all volunteers with an induction booklet.
• We offer training where appropriate i.e. First Aid, usually through our own Training Service.
• We facilitate volunteering information ‘days’

Develop new ideas of voluntary work and new areas of volunteering

• We keep abreast of new initiatives and their volunteering opportunities.
• We share good practice with volunteer using agencies.
• We highlight volunteering opportunities within new projects / initiatives.