Volunteer Policy
Aims:
To enhance its service, through the use of volunteers, and without replacing the role of any paid staff.
To encourage the involvement of volunteers in its work.
To make it a positive experience both for volunteers and the Centre alike.
Balham Community Centre’s Equal Opportunities Policy will be adhered to at all times.
Becoming a Balham Community Centre Volunteer
We will interview every prospective volunteer, explaining about the Community Centre and what goes on here, and giving the opportunity to explore volunteer’s personality, expectations, skills, capacity and availability for voluntary work.
We will match the volunteer to a role in our organisation that takes all these factors into account.
We will take up two references for all volunteers.
We will take up a police check for all volunteers working with children or any other vulnerable group. Police checks do take some time to process.
We will make an initial agreement with volunteers on their role, job description, time commitment, and giving a probationary period on both sides. The agreement will establish to whom the volunteer is responsible and will set up regular supervision and support sessions.
Being a Balham Community Centre Volunteer
We will induct volunteers into our organisation, provide any in-house training that is necessary and identify any appropriate outside training.
We will provide a supportive and friendly environment where we hope volunteers will be able to build on their skills, gain satisfaction, have fun and fulfil their expectations on taking up the volunteer job.
We will provide regular supervision and support with volunteers.
We will reimburse all out of pocket expenses incurred by volunteers.
We will provide references for volunteers, to be kept on file for any paid or unpaid work the volunteer applies for.
Volunteers have the right to give notice form their placement at any time, though the Support Worker should try to remedy/ascertain reasons.
Balham Community Centre reserves the right to refuse or dismiss any volunteer, but will always give a reason.
Volunteers will be made aware of grievance procedure.