CAVOS
Supporting Voluntary and Community Action
The Volunteer Centre is part of CAVOS and aims to promote and support volunteering. We believe that voluntary work provides a way for people to take an active role in their community and benefit themselves at the same time.
The Volunteer Centre provides a wide range of information for organisations seeking volunteers, individuals looking to volunteer as well as information on the wide range of opportunities available. We can also provide training to volunteers and the organisations who involve volunteers
Volunteer Centre Functions:
Brokerage
Our primary function is to match both individuals and groups interested in volunteering with appropriate opportunities in their local community. We hold information on a large range of opportunities and offer potential volunteers support and advice matching their interests with appropriate volunteering opportunities
Marketing volunteering
We stimulate and encourage local interest in volunteering and community activity. This can include promoting and marketing volunteering through local, regional and national events and campaigns.
Good practice development
We promote good practice in working with volunteers to all volunteer involving organisations. We offer training and accreditation for potential volunteers, volunteers, volunteer managers and the volunteering infrastructure.
Develop volunteering opportunities
We work in close partnership with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies as well as community groups and faith groups to develop local volunteering opportunities. We understand the potential offered by our local community and the work with them to realise this potential. We work with groups that face barriers to volunteering, such as people with learning disabilities and refugees and asylum seekers.
Policy response and campaigns
We identify proposals or legislation that may impact on volunteering and participate in campaigns on issues that affect volunteers or volunteering. We campaign proactively for a more volunteer-literate and volunteer-friendly environment.
Strategic development of volunteering
As the local experts on volunteering, we inform strategic thinking and planning at a regional and national level.
Are you registered with us?
Go to the 'Online Resources' page to download a Volunteer Centre registration formGo to the CAVOS 'Events & training' page for details of Volunteering events and upcoming training courses.
I want to volunteer
You can volunteer to do just about anything you can think of! You can volunteer to rescue people from mountains, to farm organically, build houses, write a magazine, judge criminals as a magistrate, office administration, to be a trustee or fix computers. There are organisations out there you can join that cater for every interest and minority group imaginable.
Volunteering is about choice. Choose something you like doing, or want to learn to do. Give some thought to what you might be able to give others and what you might get out of volunteering yourself.
Choose to work with people, an issue or organisation you care about or are interested in. Decide how much time you can afford to commit each week, but don't overload yourself. Think about what you are good at, and what you would like to do with your time. Talk to friends about it or talk to someone who volunteers already: what do they do? do they know any other volunteers? does it appeal to you?
Register online by going directly to the 'do it' website. While you are there you can also search for volunteering opportunities.
www.do-it.org.uk
Alternatively, you can phone the Volunteer Centre and arrange an informal no-obligation chat. We can help you to search for appropriate volunteering opportunities and guide you through the decision-making process.
I need volunteers
If you are a not-for-profit organisation or group that involves volunteers or wants to involve volunteers, why not register and become a member of the Volunteer Centre to gain access to our services.
Your organisation and your volunteering opportunities will be added to our database, which will then be used by the volunteers that register with us to match their needs.
This information can also be viewed on the national volunteering database on the 'do it' website.
If you decide to become a member, the Volunteer Centre can offer you a range of advice, support and information on best practice in recruiting and managing volunteers. If you need any further information, please contact us.
frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Volunteering has a lot to offer people from all types of background or walk of life. People volunteer for many different reasons, they may choose to volunteer because they want to:
* help others
* gain work experience and learn new skills
* meet people with similar interests an make new friends
* become active in their community
* have some fun
Who can volunteer?
Volunteering is a positive thing, both for the volunteer and for the people they help. Some volunteering roles require no previous experience and can be undertaken by most people. Other roles might require some previous knowledge or experience, or a willingness to undertake training. For some roles there are health and safety restrictions that volunteers will need to meet.
Definition of voluntary work
Voluntary work is work that is not paid, for someone who is not a member of your family, where only reasonable expenses are paid. Voluntary work is undertaken through free choice.
Benefits
Voluntary work should have no effect on benefits as long as some simple rules are followed. We would always advise volunteers to inform the Benefits Agency that they will be starting voluntary work.
Job Seekers Allowance
If you are receiving Job Seekers Allowance, you can do as much voluntary work as you like - as long as you continue to actively seek work. If you are volunteering, you are entitled to an extra 24 hours notice if you have to attend an interview.
Income Support
Volunteering should not affect Income Support so long as you are not receiving and money other than out of pocket expenses.
Incapacity Benefit
If you are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit you can now volunteer for as long as you want. People often worry that starting to volunteer will automatically trigger an investigation into their need to claim Incapacity Benefit, but in fact this rarely happens. Again, we always advise volunteers to inform the Benefits Agency that they will be starting voluntary work.
Disability Living Allowance
Volunteering will not affect whether an individual receives this benefit or not.
Ex-offenders
Having a criminal record does not always mean you are unable to volunteer. In fact the majority of convictions will have no bearing on your suitability for volunteering. However under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, organisations must ask someone to declare spent convictions if they will be working with vulnerable people.
The Act describes vulnerable people as:
* Anyone under the age of 18
* Anyone who could be described as having a substantial learning or physical disability;
* Anyone with a physical or mental illness, chronic or otherwise, including an addiction to drugs or alcohol
* Anyone with a substantial reduction in physical or mental capacity due to age.
* Anyone who receives health care in their home, or who is accommodated for their health
Volunteering by children and young people
People under the age of 18 are classed as vulnerable and organisations have to take this into account when involving them as volunteers. By adhering to some basic principals, organisations can involve young people in their work:
* Young people should not be left unattended
* It is safer if young volunteers are supervised by two or more adults
* Any potentially dangerous activity should have constant adult supervision
Volunteers from overseas
There is no restriction on people from EU countries coming to the Uk to volunteer. People from outside the EU who have a visa to work or study in the UK may volunteer as long as they are still undertaking the activity stated on their visa.
Asylum seekers
People in the process of applying for refugee status (asylum seekers) have been allowed to volunteer since April 2000. They are able to volunteer whilst appealing against a decision to refuse asylum.
For more information about volunteering in any of these circumstances please contact the Volunteer Centre.
What can I expect as a volunteer?
Volunteers contribute their skills, energy and time free of charge and of their own free choice, so they can expect to be supported and thanked for their efforts. Volunteers should receive clear information about what is expected of them so they can undertake their role to the best of their ability.
Role description
Volunteers should have a clear idea of the tasks they are being asked to perform and to whom they are responsible for support and supervision. This information should be included in their 'role description'.
Training
Volunteers should expect full training to be given to then appropriate to the task they will be carrying out.
Personal development
Volunteers should be given encouragement and support to develop their expertise, skills, interest and confidence.
Expenses
Volunteers should expect reasonable out of pocket expenses
* travel to place of volunteering
* travel undertaken whilst volunteering
* meals taken whilst volunteering
* any equipment needed to carry out the task
Insurance cover
Insurance cover should be provided for all volunteers, depending on the volunteer role this might include public liability, personal accident or professional indemnity.
Equal Opportunities
No volunteer should experience discrimination on any grounds.
Recognition
Recognition is the way in which an organisation can demonstrate the value it places on the time, commitment and skills of its volunteers.
What is expected of me as a volunteer?
Volunteers also have responsibilities. As a volunteer you will be expected to:
* be reliable and honest
* be committed to your volunteering duties
* respect confidentiality
* treat all people with dignity and respect
* be prepared to undertake training appropriate to your role
* meet time and duty commitments
* let your supervisor know if you need time off for any reason
* be committed to equal opportunities
I want to volunteer - how do I start?
So you're interested in volunteering, what can you do? That will be depend on your interests, you could get involved in administration, advice work, art, befriending, business and management, campaigning and lobbying, caring, catering, computers and technology, counselling, driving, entertainment, finance work, fundraising, marketing, PR and media, practical work and DIY, retail and charity shops, teaching and training, trusteeship... contact us for information about opportunities in your local area on 01388 811115 or email Sharon
For information and advice about volunteering you can contact us at our main office in Spennymoor or call into one of our information sessions in Newton Aycliffe or Ferryhill.
Main Office:
20 High StreetSpennymoor
Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4.30pm
Although we no longer run community outreach sessions, we can still make arrangements to meet volunteers at local community venues. Simply contact us to make an appointment and we'll do the rest!
Ring us on 01388 811115
Don't forget to register with us!
Go to the 'Online Resources' page to download a Volunteer Centre registration form.