Volunteering is something a person does in their own time, without pay or compulsion, and which is for the benefit of the community, the environment or other people outside their immediate family. Volunteers are involved in a wide range of community activities and services.

Organisations gain the valuable skills, time, experience and energy of volunteers; volunteers gain a real sense of satisfaction from doing something worthwhile.

Volunteer Centre Edinburgh is an agency which provides information and advice to people who want to do voluntary work in Edinburgh. Many of the people we see require a degree of support to pursue and sustain voluntary work because of disability, mental health problems, addiction problems, past offences etc. Many individuals self-refer to us, others are referred by workers from a wide range of health, social work and support agencies.

Many people browse our website for information on volunteering opportunities. We would recommend that clients with extra support needs make an appointment at the Volunteer Centre rather than contacting organisations directly.

We appreciate the involvement of referrers. You can help us by considering the following guidelines with the individual before making an appointment at the Volunteer Centre.

• If necessary and appropriate, accompanying the person to their appointment.
• Inform us (with the individual’s consent), or encourage them to inform us, of any particular issues which may influence their choice of voluntary work. It is important that we are aware of work or work settings which may be unsuitable.
• Maintain contact with the individual whilst they get settled in their voluntary work - it can often be more demanding and stressful than they anticipate.

It is important that potential volunteers think carefully about what is involved before making a commitment. You can help by encouraging them to consider:

• Why do they want to do voluntary work?
• What skills, qualities, interests and amount of time do they have to offer?
• Are they ready and able to take on a commitment to voluntary work? How is their reliability and time-keeping?
• What are their? To what extent can these be met through voluntary work?
• Would they need support regarding their voluntary work, if so, what kind of support? Who would be able to provide it?
• Is there anything which would influence or restrict their choice of voluntary work e.g. their ability to get on with people, ongoing symptoms of illness, criminal record
• How much personal information would they want to share with an organisation?
• Are there any practical points to consider about where, when and for how long they would volunteer?

Organisations depend on their volunteers. They need people who will be reliable and able to contribute to the work of their project. Organisations may also be responsible for a vulnerable client group whose interests they must safeguard. They may therefore ask potential volunteers to complete an application form, attend an informal interview and provide character references. It is preferable that references are supplied by someone who has regular contact with the person and can realistically comment on their skills, abilities and limitations.

To work with vulnerable people volunteers may be asked to disclose any criminal convictions. To work with children or young people volunteers’ names may be submitted for criminal records screening and they may be asked to complete a detailed medical questionnaire.

Services for volunteers

• Support to find a placement
• The opportunity to confidentially discuss an individual’s expectations and needs
• Guidance on how much personal information is relevant to disclose to an organisation
• Enquiries on the individual’s behalf to potential placements
• Assistance to make contact with potential placements e.g. help with making phone calls and appointments
• Support to visit placements
• Support once a volunteer is placed
• Telephone contact or follow-up appointments to review how things are going
• Help with any difficulties that may crop up in the placement
• Support if voluntary work isn’t appropriate or suitable
• Confidential discussion on how best to prepare for volunteering
• Advice and information on other activities or options

Making contact with the Volunteer Centre

To find out about specific voluntary work in Edinburgh, potential volunteers can give phone us or drop into our office to see the information on display. For volunteers, who may require a degree of support we recommend an appointment with one of our Support and Advice Team: Marion Findlay, Irene Whittaker or Sarah Cleary. Making an appointment does not oblige anyone to do voluntary work. It can be a good way of sounding out what is involved and answering any queries.

We welcome ongoing contact with referrers e.g. informal enquiries about any issues concerning volunteering; presentations to groups of staff and/or clients.

Marion Findlay marion.findlay@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk
Sarah Cleary sarah.cleary@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 131 225 0630

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See also: Support and Advice Team

[Updated February 2004]