Volunteering

We have an ongoing need for volunteers in all aspects of the charity. Sometimes a post may require a specialist skill, sometimes it may need someone with lots of enthusiasm. It may be full time over some months or years or part time and short term.

There are so many areas of work that could benefit from your time and experience. The sorts of roles in which volunteers are currently involved include:

• Being a Trustee
• Organising events and fundraising activities
• Working directly with young people
• Research
• Helping with policy work
• Designing / maintaining websites

And the skills we need?
Our volunteers have a vast range of skills and experience like:

• Youth work
• Accountancy
• Administration research
• Marketing
• Customer care
• Community development
• Media & PR
• Human resources management
• Sports leadership

…in fact YMCA volunteers can do almost anything.

Volunteer with us and contact:

Marie Flower, Operational Manager, on 01446 724004

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YMCA and You: Our Volunteer Policy

YMCA's work in Wales is a partnership between volunteers, staff and service users. As a volunteer, your gift of time, skills and experience will extend YMCA's capacity to make a positive difference to the lives of children, young people and their communities. By doing so it is YMCA's aim that volunteers gain satisfaction from this partnership and that the relationship is one of mutual benefit.

When you volunteer with the YMCA:

• You can make a difference to the lives of children and young people locally, nationally and internationally.
• Your gift of time, skills and experience will be used well.
• Your volunteering will be appreciated andrecognised.
• You will be provided with all the information and guidance required for you to carry out your volunteering.
• You will be encouraged to develop in your volunteering role
• You will be given opportunities to keep up to date with the YMCA WORK.
• You can expect YMCA to seek your views on its work and your volunteering
• You volunteer in an organization that is striving to be non-discriminatory and diverse.
• You volunteer in an environment that is safe.
• You will be covered by YMCA insurance policies.
• You wont be out of pocket.
• You can expect YMCA to help you to resolve any difficulties you may have with the YMCA or your volunteering.
• You are free to stop volunteering at any time.

In order to meet these aims:

• YMCA will ensure that managers are trained in and practice good people management.
• YMCA expects everyone to carry out their volunteering within the law and within the organizations Policies and Procedures
• YMCA may request that an individual stops volunteering where the relationship has broken down.
• YMCA will take up references for all volunteers, as part of the section process.
• YMCA will maintain a Database of volunteer's details.
• YMCA expects all volunteers to act within its code of conduct.

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Volunteering Policy

Volunteer: "one who performs a service of his or her own free will; who contributes time, energy or talents"

Introduction

Volunteers play an important role within the YMCA movement. Through the added benefit of their volunteering, the YMCA can enhance its work with young people and the wider community. Evidence of this will be seen through furthering the involvement of local communities, extending and developing the range of projects and activities therefore extending the skills base available to young people in Barry and Vale of Glamorgan.

Aim

The aim of this policy is to ensure that volunteers are properly integrated into the organisation by working through the same induction and training processes as paid staff. There is an expectation that staff, at all levels, work positively with volunteers, they are not seen as a replacement to paid staff but an added value to a staff team.

Procedures

1. Recruitment and selection of volunteers

   Prior to recruitment of volunteers, it must be clearly identified that the work to be carried out is appropriate for volunteers.

   All prospective volunteers will be interviewed to assess what they would like to do, their skills, suitability and how best their potential might be realised.

   Volunteers will be required to fill out an application form and follow the YMCA recruitment and selection process. This will include two references along with a police check (CRB) to ensure the suitability and appropriateness of employment or volunteering (see YMCA Employment Handbook). Police checks are mandatory and of particular relevance where volunteers may be working with children and young people.

   Rejection or acceptance of volunteer applicants will be the responsibility of the Line Manager. The applicants may be rejected following interview or subsequently after receipt of the references and background checks. The Chief Executives or Officers Chairperson (will deal with police checks that raise a query.

   It is important that rejection is handled sensitively and with due respect for an unsuccessful applicants, either face or in writing. If relevant re-direct to local Council Volunteer Services.

2. Volunteer agreements and voluntary work outlines
   

   All YMCA volunteers should receive ( or have access to ) the YMCA Policies and Procedures. They should receive a job description based on their duties and areas of responsibilities. Volunteers will be included in Centre or project staff team meetings and have access to the same training and career development opportunities as paid staff.

3. Grievance Procedure

   The guidelines laid out in the YMCA formal Grievance Procedure should be followed, with due regard to the status of the parties involved.

4. Disciplinary Procedure

   Given the informal status of volunteers, any situation involving the need for some form of disciplinary action is difficult to prescribe for. However the principles of fairness, confidentiality and through investigation shall be adhered to. The YMCA's disciplinary procedures should be used as a reference.

5. Complaints procedure
   

   Volunteers should follow the formal complaints procedure. This will also apply if a formal complaint is made against a volunteer.

6. Confidentiality
   

   The Line Manager will discuss the guidelines of the confidentiality policy with all volunteers. Information about young people should not be disclosed to volunteers unless the Line Manager decides that it is in the best interest of the young person and volunteer, to do this. All volunteers are required to follow these principles at all times and recognise that they will often be working in situations which require tact, sensitivity and confidentiality.

7. Health and safety

   Volunteers will be trained on Health and Safety and Risk assessment procedures. Line Managers will be responsible for sharing new legislation and any other changes with the volunteers.

8. Equal Opportunities

   The YMCA equal opportunities policy is specific in its contribution to ensuring equal access of opportunities to young people, and staff, this ethos must be central to the recruitment and development of volunteers.

   A copy of the equal opportunities policy should be available to volunteers

9. Child Protection

   The YMCA policies on child protection apply

Practice

1. Expenses

   It is an underpinning principle that volunteers should not be out of pocket when working in a voluntary role. Whenever possible Centres and Projects should seek to reimburse out of pocket expenses.

2. Insurance

   YMCA volunteers will be covered under the YMCA Public Liability Insurance. This covers injury, loss or damage caused to any person as a result of the YMCA's negligence.

3. Training and support

   The line manager is responsible for organizing a comprehensive induction to the volunteer's role, familiarisation with policies, procedures and practice. A record of induction should be kept.

   All volunteers should be made aware of their immediate line manager. On a sessional basis where volunteers may not work with the line manager, the Worker-in-charge will need to inform the volunteer of their responsibility to them.

   Regular support and supervision should be carried out with volunteers.

4. Protection of Young People

   It is important that young people working with volunteers understand the roles and the responsibilities of the volunteer.

   Volunteers must keep young peoples personal details confidential.

5. Protection of volunteers

   Volunteers must report to their line manager any approaches that are made to them for tasks to be carried out which are outside of the remit of their role. They should always consult their line manager if using the "banner" of the YMCA and obtain written permission to do so.

   Part of the YMCA's responsibility towards its volunteers is to ensure that they are not placed in vulnerable situations during their work time or as a result of work placements.

   In practice this means that paid workers or volunteers themselves will not reveal their (or their colleagues) personal contact details to young people.

   They will not carry out tasks for young people outside their normal and supervised hours and should not be placed in situations where they may be at unacceptable risk.

   Only pertinent information on young people will be passed to volunteers.