1. Supporting Volunteers – the lifeblood of the sector

2. Stacey Shillingford Volunteering Development Manager Holly Neill Networks Officer – Vulnerable Adults

3. Supporting Volunteers

4. What issues have you faced in the past in regards to supporting volunteers? What issues are you facing with your current volunteers? Is the need for support increasing?

5. Support needs? Mental health Single parent English as a second language Jobseeker Disability Learning difficulty Health issues Low confidence Homelessness Addictions Older/younger volunteers Offending history

6. What support do you offer for volunteers in general? Supervisions/regular formal catch ups Buddying Training Informal catch ups

7. Additional needs How do you identify when a volunteer has additional needs? What would you do to begin to approach supporting the individual?

8. Accessibility Do you need a formal application form? Can people contact you in various ways? Do you really need a DBS check? Can you cover expenses? What reasonable adjustments can you make?

9. Disability Disability is a huge area which can cover many conditions and impairments. Take everything on an individual basis and make reasonable adjustments, for example; Be flexible on volunteering times Fund taxi fares for volunteers who are unable to take public transport Help with finding information on bus routes and printing maps

10. Disabilities (via Scope) Concentrate on ability rather than disability. Listen to the volunteer; they understand their impairment best. Be prepared to have some flexibility around role descriptions. Ask the volunteer about their communication needs. Address negative attitudes towards disability - whether from staff, other volunteers or clients. Make sure that disabled volunteers feel part of the team.

11. When it comes to support… People need support for lots of different reasons, but there are very similar solutions to the support needed. Some just require more staff time than others.

12. Maximise your time Be open and honest Develop a buddying system amongst volunteers Can colleagues support you? Be prepared Plan your time

13. Whatever the support issue(s); Don’t make assumptions Be clear and consistent about the role Ask their opinion Coping strategies of the individual Signpost if necessary Work on an individual basis Think creatively

14. Open floor

15. Volunteer Centre 0115 934 8400 volunteercentre@nottinghamcvs.co.uk