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volunteer charter and good practice
Good Practice in Volunteer Involvement
As a Volunteer Centre we are here to support organisations to involve volunteers successfully. Volunteering is a two-way process, which benefits both the volunteer and the organisation. This can best be achieved when working in line with Good Practice Guidelines.
What is Good Practice in Volunteer Involvement?
Good Practice involves having robust structures and processes in place, which should be easy to follow for both your staff and volunteers. Some basic good practice principles include:
- Providing your volunteers with a written clear role description
- Providing a good induction to volunteers
- Have a named person responsible for your volunteers
- Treat your volunteers in line with Equal Opportunities and Health and Safety guidelines
- Give your volunteers ongoing support and training where needed
- Pay out of pocket expenses such as travel and lunch where possible
Volunteer Charter
As part of its commitment to promoting, developing and supporting good practice in volunteer management, Volunteer Centre Southwark has been involved in developing a pan-London Volunteer Charter for organisations and groups that involve volunteers.
The Volunteer Charter includes the basic principles of good practice in volunteer management and sets out the minimum standards that organisations and groups should have in place when involving volunteers in order to achieve this quality mark.
Good practice standards covered by the Volunteer Charter include:
- Equality Statement
- Written Role Description/s
- Planned Recruitment Process
- Organisation Induction Procedure
- Named Person for Supervision/Support
- Volunteer Expenses Policy and Procedures
- Flexible and Supportive Working Environment
- Organisational Involvement of Volunteers
- Volunteer Complaints Procedure
- Reward and Recognition
- Volunteer References
Volunteer Centre Southwark is able to provide a variety of information, advice and support to organisations and groups to enable them to develop their volunteer programmes, improve their management and support of volunteers and achieve the Volunteer Charter quality mark.
For more information about the Volunteer Charter and achieving this quality mark in volunteer management please contact our Good Practice Development Coordinator on 020 7703 4205 or email: goodpractice@volunteercentres.org.uk
Please also see the ‘ Support in Volunteer Management’ section and ‘ Resources ’ section of our website