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Capacity Building
The Volunteer Centre Team is here to help organisations increase their capacity to provide high quality opportunities and support for volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. We do this through provision of information, one to one and group meetings, and special events. When your organisation becomes a partner of the Volunteer Centre we ask you to complete a Partnership Registration Form and Agreement. The forms allow us to check that relevant policies and procedures are in place to safeguard volunteers, and that their rights are acknowledged and recognised. This includes:
- Safeguarding, including safe recruitment procedures
- Equal opportunities policy – on paper and in practice
- Health and Safety – policy, practice and written risk assessments
- Insurance
- Paying out of pocket expenses
- Development opportunities for volunteers
- Support systems – formal and informal
Rather than re-inventing the wheel, the Volunteer Centre can draw upon a wealth of information through the Volunteer England Website (www.volunteering.org.uk), and other partners to help you set up your volunteering programme and support you to ensure your volunteers are retained, feel supported and have a great experience. See ‘Resources’ for templates that you can use to develop your own volunteer management systems.
The Partnership Agreement outlines the responsibilities and expectations of how your organisation and the Volunteer Centre will work together in terms of volunteers; the Partnership Registration Form checks your policies and procedures, and how these are put into practice. Organisations that require support can contact us or download ‘Good Practice Guides’ to develop their programmes.
The following websites will provide a wealth of information that will help you to improve and develop your volunteer management practice:
www.volunteering.org.uk – free information sheets – expenses, insurance, recruitment etc.
www.northlincs.gov.uk/NorthLincs/ChildrenAndYoungPeople/safeguardingchildren/LSCB