Welcome to the Volunteer Centres Suffolk web site.

Involving Volunteers

Volunteer Centresprovide a service to organisations recruiting volunteers across Suffolk.  This includes public, voluntary and community sector organisations.   Click here to find a Volunteer Centre in your area or search using our search box in the top right hand corner.

A brief guide to involving volunteers

In managing volunteers in your organisation you should endeavour to abideby the principles of volunteering as set out in the national Compact Code of volunteering.  These are:

• Choice - Volunteering must be a choice freely made by each individual.
• Diversity - Volunteering should be open to all, no matter what their background, race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation or disability.
• Mutual benefit - Volunteers offer their contribution and skills unwaged but should benefit in other ways in return for their contribution.
• Recognition - Explicit recognition that valuing the contribution of volunteers is fundamental to a fair relationship.

How can a Volunteer Centre help you?

Volunteer Centres primary role is brokerage, we look to recruit, match and place volunteers with suitable volunteer opportunities with voluntary organisations. 

How you promote your volunteer opportunity is really important, we can help you to develop a “Volunteer Role Description”.   All opportunities will be posted on the Do-it.org.uk website – make sure the description of your opportunity catches your potential volunteers attention.

Your local Volunteer Centre can help you to develop new volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Centres would encourage all volunteer involving organisations to work towards Best Practice.  A strong Volunteer Management strategy is essential when looking to retain your volunteers, such efforts highlight how strongly you value your volunteers.

It is important to give thought to your Volunteer Expenses policy.  Volunteers should not be out of pocket as a result

Volunteer Centres will offer support, advice and sample policies; signposting you to Best Practice resources.

Volunteering Englands Good Practice Bank

http://www.volunteering.org.uk/Resources/goodpracticebank/

SAVO toolkits

http://www.volunteering.org.uk/Resources/goodpracticebank/

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NOCN Level 3 Award in Managing Volunteers

An accredited course being offered by the Suffolk Volunteering Federation

This course is aimed at those already working in smaller and medium sized voluntary and community organisations as managers of volunteers in a paid or unpaid capacity. Click here to read more.