What is Voluntary work?

Voluntary work is any activity which is undertaken by free choice.

It enables people to offer their services beyond the call of economic necessity or special obligation.

It can be spontaneous, or deliberate and organised.
Volunteers make a significant difference in their chosen field of endeavour.

Volunteers contribute to a better quality of life within their local community.

With the increasing emphasis on care in the community, many services could not
hope to operate effectively without the involvement of volunteers.

Why volunteer?

Do you want to:

• Enjoy yourself doing something you like doing, using your own
  special interests and talents?
• Learn new skills and develop new interests?
• Meet new people and make new friends?
• Have the chance to take some responsibility and make decisions?
• Find out more about a job / career you are considering?
• Make a valuable contribution to the community?
• Be involved?

What do we offer?

• A structure to your day
• Work experience
• The chance to aquire new skills
• The chance to change your status from 'helped' to 'helper'
• An awareness of the difficulties that other people face
• A way to help yourself by helping others
• Social contact, meeting new people
• Involvement with the community
• A chance to build up your confidence
• A chance to make commitment and take responsibilities
• An opportunity for personal development
• Enjoyment
• A sense of achievement
• A reference

What can you offer?

Voluntary work means making a commitment to do something for your
community. You will not be paid for doing voluntary work, therefore it is
important that you will be doing something which will benefit you in
other ways.
You should be clear about your own needs, and what you hope to get out of volunteering before you undertake any voluntary work.
You need to think about the ways in which you can best contribute to the work
of Tan y Maen centre.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Are you interested in mental health matters?
• What are your particular skills and interests?
• What do you really enjoy doing?
• Do you enjoy working with people on a one to one basis?
• Do you prefer to work in groups?
• Do you enjoy a challenge?
• Do you cope well in challenging situations?
• Are you sympathetic to the needs of others?

Remember that there are many things that we do every day which involves useful skills.
Please tell us about any skills or aptitude you feel confident about, we may be able to put these to good use within Tan y Maen.
Remember that everyone has something to offer.

Volunteers' Charter

Every individual has the right to volunteer and volunteers have rights which should be met in the course of their volunteering. Volunteering is a legitimate activity in its own right and not a substitute for paid work.

1. Volunteers should have a clear idea of the tasks they are being asked to perform and of the responsibility which goes with those tasks.
2. Volunteers should be told who is responsible for their support and supervision. They should have regular access to this person, and the person should ensure that each volunteer is given adequate support.
3. To ensure the fair representation of the needs and interests of volunteers, volunteers should have acces to, and play a part in, the decision making process of the organisation where they are working as volunteers.
4. Volunteers should be protected against exploitation of their interests, both as volunteers and as individuals. Volunteers should not be put under moral pressure to undertake work which is against their principles.
5. Volunteers should be adequately protected against any risks involved in volunteering. (The organisation should have adequate public liability and motor insurance. Some organisations may have additional personal accident cover).
6. Volunteers should not suffer financially by volunteering. Volunteers should receive all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including travel, meals and child/dependent care costs) and be provided with the appropriate equipment/tools/materials to enable them to carry out their tasks.

Unless all volunteers receive expenses, those who cannot afford to volunteer without being paid expenses may be too embarrassed to ask and may be unable to continue volunteering. Volunteers who don't wish to claim expenses may always donate the money back to the organisation.

1. Volunteers should not undertake work which agency staff are being paid to do. Also volunteers should not be used to replace previously paid workers.
2. The relationship between paid workers and volunteers should be complimentary and mutually beneficial. Paid workers should be fully aware of the areas of work undertaken by volunteers and of the distinction between paid work and volunteering.
3. Volunteers should have the right to join a Trade Union relevant to their area of voluntary activity.
4. Volunteering should be fulfilling experience. Through adequate support and supervision, volunteers should be able to develop, expand and change their work.

The National Association of Volunteers Bureaux, October 1993.

Your Responsibilities

Post: Drop in Facilitator
(Voluntary)
Hours: 3 Hours Per Week
(Rota Basis)
10am - 1pm or 1pm - 4pm, Monday to Friday
6pm - 9pm Monday Evenings

Tasks will include:

• Facilitating the drop in service during the centre's opening times, helping out with activities and a certain amount of reception work as required.
• Greeting newcomers, supervising the smooth running of the daily drop in service, being aware of what is going on in the communal rooms, always endeavouring to make sure nobody is left out or ignored.
• Dealing with any difficulties which may arise in a courteous and sympathetic manner whilst ensuring that Tan y Maen operational policy is adhered to at all times, reporting any issue of concern to a member of staff before going off duty.
• Providing information about services / activities available as required.
• Maintaining your own and others' health and safety and reporting any breaches at the earliest opportunity.
• Within the drop-in, volunteers should familiarise themselves with aspects of health and safety, such as the location of the fire extinguishers, fire escapes, location of the first aid box and accident book, and emergency telephone numbers.

Traveling expenses to and from the centre will reimburse at the rate of 32p per mile, or the cost of public transport fare (tickets should be submitted with claim forms). Expenses should be submitted before the end of each month.

REMEMBER, NEVER ANY COUNSELLING OR ADVICE

Person Specification

Volunteers will be involved with the provision of support and compaionship for people who are either experiencing or recovering from mental health problems, therefore it is important to be able to demonstrate good interpersonal skills. We need our volunteers to be able to work as part of a team, to accept another's point of view and have respect for individuality and differences of opinion. A sympathetic attitude and considerate nature are also important qualities.

Confidentiality is a fundemental part of the service we provide and volunteers are required to maintain confidentiality in respect of service users, other members of the volunteer team, and the centre as a whole. It is important that volunteers familiarise themselves with the centre's operational policy.

Support and supervision is provided both on an individual basis and via group support meetings. Any issues can be discussed with the Centre Development Worker at the volunteer's request in between structured meetings. Volunteers should feel supported in their work at all times. Volunteers are encouraged to contribute ideas and suggestions, which will aid in the development of services and activities within the centre and to take part in any organised activity, which appeal to them. It is hoped that volunteers will be able to use and develop their individual skills within the centre.

Punctuality and reliability. All volunteers within Tan y Maen work on a rota basis, and we ask for a minimum of 3 hours per week from you. You should inform us in plenty of time if you are not available for your alloted duty. You should always aim to arrive on time. Please remember that you are part of a team, and your co-workers rely on you.

Tan y Maen abides by an equal opportunities policy, which applies to service users, paid staff and voluntary workers.

The centre operates a bi-lingual policy in all aspects of its work.

Training

Volunteers who wish to become involved with work at Tan y Maen will receive induction training prior to undertaking volunteer work at the centre. There will be ongoing training provided and volunteers are encouraged to take full advantage of these opportunities. Anyone who wishes to get involved with various aspects of the centre will be given every opportunity to do so - e.g. this could include becoming a volunteer representative.

It is hoped that volunteers will be able to use and develop their individual skills within the centre.

Some Do's and Dont's

DO think about why you want to volunteer at Tan y Maen.

DO ask questions.

DO claim your expenses.

DO stick to any arrangements you make as regards your duties. If you can't, or if you'll be late, try to leave a message in plenty of time.

DO remember that you are a valuable member of our team.

DO say no if you feel we are asking too much of you.

DO enjoy yourself.

DON'T start your voluntary work until you know exactly what is expected of you, and you are sure that it is what you want to do.

DON'T over commit yourself. Offer only as much time as you can give regularly without causing yourself any stress. We are aware that you have a life outside the centre. Reliability is essential.

DON'T just not turn up, if you are fed up or having problems. Remember that there is always someone available to discuss any issues of concern with you.

DON'T do anything which is against your wishes or principles. Always try to discuss the situation with the person in charge.