Volunteers
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01. General volunteering
There are many different ways to volunteer – some roles require regular commitment while others are project-based or involve short-term tasks. To help you find a role that fits around your lifestyle and other commitments, you need to consider the following:
- Would you like to volunteer on a regular basis? Roles requiring a regular commitment can include befriending, volunteering at a charity shop, or becoming a volunteer driver.
- Would you prefer a project-based volunteer role? For example, planning and supporting at an event, or redesigning a website for a charity.
- Are you able to commit to a role on a short-term basis (less than three months) or for more than three months? Three to six months would be medium-term, and anything lasting longer than 6 months is long-term. Read this blog from Volunteer World about short-term vs long-term volunteering.
Sign-up with Volunteer Bucks
If you're looking for a volunteering role in Buckinghamshire, browse the new online volunteering platform
02. Bite-size volunteering
Bite-size or micro-volunteering offers volunteers the opportunity to undertake short and specific activities that are quick to start and complete. There is no commitment to repeat the activity and often takes place from home or online.
It can be a great way for volunteer-involving organisations to recruit and manage volunteers who struggle to give their time for free due to other commitments.
For volunteers, the benefits are volunteering for short and convenient periods, normally related to specific and/or time tasks and activities. The key benefit is flexibility with no long-term commitment. Examples of bite-size volunteering include:
- Marshalling at a sponsored walk
- Writing a grant application
- Collecting donations at a fundraising event
- Setting up a Facebook event
- Manning a stall at a fair
Find out more about bite-size volunteering
Visit the BBC Do Something Great page
03. Skills-based volunteering
Skills-based volunteering is a great way to refresh your professional skills, enhance your career, and add to your CV – all whilst getting involved with a worthwhile cause.
Skilled volunteers are vitally important to Buckinghamshire not-for-profit organisations to help them navigate their current needs and adapt going forward. Often organisations need volunteers with professional skills – such as business planning, finance, marketing, and HR.
There are several options to look for a skills-based volunteer role:
- If you have three or more years of professional experience and are interested in volunteering, register with the online database Reach Volunteering
- For creative professionals, check out The Media Trust which runs a matching service for volunteers in the media industry
- If you have accountancy or finance skills, have a look at the roles listed with ICAEW
- Volunteer Bucks – an online platform connecting volunteers with organisations in Buckinghamshire
04. Employer-supported volunteering
Employer-supported volunteering (ESV) is an initiative which is led by employers to support their staff to volunteer during working hours. The volunteering activities can be practical (for example, gardening) or skills-based (for example, providing expert marketing or HR advice).
This form of volunteering is also called team volunteering, corporate volunteering, group volunteering, or employer volunteering. It takes many forms and can vary by:
- Type of volunteering activity – for example, it can be practical such as a renovation project, or skills-based such as providing expertise through workshops or mentoring.
- Number of employees involved – it can be carried out as a group or by individuals.
- The length and nature of the volunteering – it can range from a one-off event such as marshalling a public event, to a long-term commitment.
- How it is arranged – it can be organised by employers or by employees.
Both parties benefit from the volunteering:
Many businesses which supply volunteer teams experience improved employee engagement and use the opportunity to undertake team building as well as meet environmental, social and governance responsibility goals
For charity and community groups, it can boost a project or initiative by providing much needed volunteering hours as well as exposure to a new group of supporters, donors or even service-users.
It is not unusual for businesses to financially contribute towards employee volunteering. This payment is not for the volunteering but for the work that enables the volunteering to take place. This statement from the ESV Network is useful to help explain why there can be a charge for employee volunteering.
05. Trustee and board volunteering
Board volunteers have overall control of their not-for-profit organisation and are key to ensuring its sustainability, compliance and growth. They may also be known as board or committee members, trustees, directors or governors.
Trustees come from all walks of life and backgrounds. Some roles need specific skills, such as experience in senior management, finance or HR. Many organisations are only looking for your lived experience, enthusiasm, and drive.
What are the benefits of becoming a trustee? You will develop leadership skills, gain experience in strategic development and insight, and get to use your professional, managerial and business skills.
To find out more about volunteering on a board or management committee:
Read through the Charity Commission’s Welcome pack for new trustees
Feedback from local volunteers
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