in

ASSIST has 2 full time members of staff 3 part time members of staff approx. 240 volunteers (May 2016)

in ASSIST is volunteer led relies completely on its volunteers to deliver its services

in Volunteering is “unpaid activity where someone gives their time to help an organisation or an individual who they are not related to.”

Why volunteers? From ASSIST’s point of view ensure our services meet the needs of our service users provide new skills and perspectives to the charity learn and constantly improve the quality of ASSIST’s service increase our contact with the local community we serve in

Why volunteers? From the volunteer’s point of view Work experience to enhance a CV An opportunity to make friends, and prevent social isolation Enjoyment A channel for caring and political passion !

in Committed to equal opportunities (for all recuits) and Committed to providing an effective service for destitute asylum seekers Can’t provide a volunteer role for everyone

in How do volunteers find us? Word of mouth Fund raising and awareness raising sessions e.g. stalls at festivals, talks in churches Collaboration with Sheffield and Hallam universities Voluntary Action Sheffield - website and in person Do–it.org website ASSIST website

in The recruitment process handled by volunteers and vol. coordinator

in Initial enquiry Telephone calls, s, messages from websites Respond with an Invitation to a “Drop in and check it out” session: A brief outline of ASSIST as an organisation, its clients and volunteer roles An explanation of ASSIST recruitment process.

in Drop in and check it out session A 2 hour session once / twice a month on different days and at different times

in Drop in and check it out session Short presentation what ASSIST does and volunteer roles available See Volunteer Task profiles Opportunity to talk with current volunteers Support to complete on-line application and “celebrating diversity” forms (if needed) Informal initial screening of potential applicants

in Application form and celebrating diversity forms Link to on-line form ed to recruits Recruits apply for a specific role Completed application forms and celebrating diversity forms are saved on the ASSIST database

in References 2 references requested and submitted through ASSIST application / database system Introduced DBS for some roles, as required by insurers. (Disclosure, barring and safeguarding – was CRB)

in Send to team leaders Screen the applications Draw on further information Make a decision about team allocation Send to team leaders Monitor the admin process (a challenge) Some recruits not offered volunteer roles, and are informed

in Team leaders interview recruits For some roles (eg admin) there is a skills test. If successful recruit signs confidentiality agreement. Recruit begins to volunteer with the team.

in Induction session for all volunteers Volunteer induction pack

in Volunteer agreement Signed with team leader

in Being a volunteer Part of a team regular formal support / supervision session for some (requires a systematic introduction across whole organisation - challenge) ongoing team based training centrally organised training

in Challenges Economic climate ~ lots of people looking for work experience Update of the Volunteer database (after the recruitment process) It can take a while to welcome new recruits, which some find frustrating Volunteer support & supervision One off unusual roles

in The benefits of the recruitment process Working on task profiles with team leaders and teams Task profiles provide the basis for a volunteer training programme. Time to screen new recruits, and some who are not committed to volunteering with ASSIST leave the process Equality of access to volunteering Steady supply of volunteers, with minimal staff resource.

in Involvement of volunteers in your organisation?