Become a Volunteer

Together We Can

We would like to express our appreciation of your thought to volunteer with us and we will endeavour to make your volunteer experience with us enjoyable and rewarding. Volunteers are an important and valued part of RAFFA and we hope that you will feel a full part of our team.

Who can be a volunteer?

Anyone who has spare time can volunteer. We already have volunteers of many different backgrounds, abilities and ages. You can volunteer for as much or as little time as suits you. Sometimes it depends on the role you are doing, but mostly it depends on how much time you can give. It can be days, evenings, weekends or a mixture. We will say in the role description if you would be needed at specific times.

Volunteering with us will only cost you your time. Reasonable out of pocket expenses such as travel costs will be reimbursed as long as you have a valid receipt and agreement from the Chief Executive Officer. Most volunteer roles don’t require qualifications but some may need certain skills – details will be included in the role description. Training will be provided, if needed. You can volunteer whether you are working or claiming benefits.

If you are claiming benefits you must tell your benefits adviser. If you are claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA) you must still actively seek work and be available to start any opportunity. Volunteering shouldn’t affect your benefits as long as the only money you receive is reimbursement of expenses.

Criminal convictions must be declared in your application form. You will need to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if your volunteer role involves access to young people or vulnerable adults – this will tell us if you have a criminal record. Having a record should not stop you from volunteering but it may limit what you can do.

A Joint Commitment

Our commitment to volunteers is to:

make sure that volunteering is rewarding for all involved
recognise the importance of high standards and effective management of volunteers
agree the role description with the volunteer
be flexible in relation to personal circumstances
support volunteers if they wish to say ‘no’ to additional tasks or responsibilities, or if they wish to leave
offer volunteers opportunities for personal development within the volunteer role or to assist in exploring new opportunities
provide volunteers with support and guidance through a volunteer manager
provide volunteers with an open, accessible and fair process for raising any concerns and issues
pay out of pocket approved expenses in relation to the volunteer role, as agreed by your volunteer manager
provide public liability insurance
inform volunteers about health and safety matters and make efforts to ensure that they have a safe volunteering environment
implement our equal opportunities policy, which provides the basis by which we develop best practices for the benefit of current and future staff as required by law

We expect our volunteers to:

perform the volunteering role to the best of their ability
attend information, relevant workshops and support sessions as appropriate to the volunteering role
volunteer within RAFFA’s priorities, aims and objectives, and follow our standards for equal opportunities, health and safety, data protection, confidentiality, and any others applicable to the role
assist other volunteers and staff as part of a team
let the volunteer manager know as early as possible if they are unable to carry out their volunteering duties
refer concerns or issues to the volunteer manager , as appropriate
seek guidance if you feel that there may be a conflict of interest between your volunteering role and other commitments
not bring RAFFA’s name into disrepute and follow the volunteers agreement
act at all times in the best interests of RAFFA
make sure equality is at the heart of any volunteer activity conducted on behalf of RAFFA