Firstly, you’ll have to meet the staff and complete an application form. If your volunteering involves children or vulnerable adults in a care or educational type setting, you will have to complete a criminal records check, the results of which are held confidentially.Once this has all been approved (this can take some time), you’ll be expected to sign a volunteering agreement setting out what your responsibilities are and what our responsibilities are to you. You’ll be allocated a Volunteer Co-Ordinator (responsible person) who will offer help when needed. You will also receive some basic training and you may well have the opportunity to join in with more advanced training with staff depending on your volunteering role.
For some people, the opportunity to share their skills and experiences for the benefit of others can be really rewarding, whilst others volunteer to increase awareness in a particular area or gain employment skills.