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Swale CVS

Central House
Central Avenue
Sittingbourne
Kent
ME10 4NU
Tele: 01795 473828
Contact Us

Registered Charity Number 277523

 

The Volunteer Centre

The Six Core functions of a Volunteer Centre


(click here for link)

 

Welcome to Swale Volunteer Centre

What can volunteering offer you?

Volunteering can offer you the chance to learn new skills, use your existing skills and expertise, develop new interests, meet people, become involved in action that effects social change and the opportunity to get involved!

Volunteer Bureaux are committed to promoting volunteering to people who are not traditionally seen as volunteers. This means that Bureaux put resources into promoting volunteering to people who are disadvantaged or who are from groups who are discriminated against.
Staff here at Swale Council for Voluntary Services and Volunteer Centre have many years experience of placing and supporting volunteers in a wide range of opportunities, from working for environmental groups to becoming involved in action that effects social change.
 
The diversity of volunteering opportunities is enormous.

We have over 120 volunteering opportunities listed.  If you have some time to spare and would like to put something into your community then we can probably find the right placement for you. Once placed we welcome feedback from you and the organisation you are volunteering for, to ensure that both your needs and theirs are being met.  If, for any reason, you later find that the opportunity is not really what you are seeking then we will make every effort to find the right one.


What do I need to become a volunteer?

It could not be easier. All you have to do is contact us either by telephone, fax or email. We can make an appointment for you to have a one to one confidential interview at our Sittingbourne office or at one of our monthly drop-in sessions in Sheerness or Faversham. At this time we can discuss with you thoroughly what you are looking for and what is available. This is a fairly informal interview at which we try to get to know a little more about you, what you have to offer and where your talents lie.



What happens next?

Once we have taken your details and discussed what volunteering opportunities are available we then refer you onto the organisation of your choice or if volunteering with one of our schemes we will send off references. We always require two references from prospective volunteers. In some cases, Volunteer Drivers for example, we will also need to take a copy of your Driving Licence for our records.  We would also contact your insurance company to confirm that your insurance covers voluntary driving.  In any event, once the paperwork has been completed and collated, we will then discuss everything with the prospective volunteer before the placement commences.  Please also be aware that a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) check is normally required for the majority of opportunities.


How long does it take to become a volunteer?

This very much depends on each individual organisations processes and how long it takes to have everything in place e.g. references, CRB checks.

What if I find that I do not enjoy what I am doing or that it is not what I expected?

This can sometimes happen.  But if it does, do not worry.  At Swale Council for Voluntary Services and Volunteer Centre we will always try to re-match you with a suitable position.
 
SO – WHY WAIT? – IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING CONTACT US NOW

 

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