Volunteering Guidelines
Shankill Women’s Centre (SWC) Welcomes Voluntary Help
SWC welcomes the participation of volunteers in its work, and will do its best to ensure that the time they spend with SWC contributes to their personal development and fulfilment.
Types of SWC Volunteers and Tasks
SWC volunteers fall into three categories:
(1) The SWC Executive Committee – the Executive Committee is the Board of
Directors of SWC and is composed entirely of people who serve in a voluntary capacity.
(2) Those from member organisations or elsewhere who serve on working groups and sub-committees.
(3) Those who become involved in particular projects of SWC on a day to day basis and work in the main alongside or under the direction of SWC's paid staff.
We cannot always take up volunteering offers, but we do welcome enquiries, and we outline below the type of projects in which volunteers could be involved.
Volunteers belonging to the third category above should be aware that SWC is a charity delivering projects for the benefit of the local community and beyond and is not therefore involved in work of a personal caring or one to one relationship kind such as with children, disabled or older people or other at risk groups.
Opportunities for voluntary work within SWC will tend to be in the following areas:
· Administration
· ICT
· Project Support
SWC will do its best to ensure that volunteers are satisfied in their work, and that all necessary support is available during the volunteer period. Each volunteer will be made aware which particular member of staff he/she is accountable and may refer for guidance and support.
There are a number of points that you should consider when you become a volunteer, and to help you we have listed some of these below:
Time Involved
Before making commitments, you should be reasonably certain that you can give whatever time is required. Sometimes this will be one day or morning, sometimes four or five days per week for a short defined period, or for an indefinite time-span.
Tasks Involved
It is useful to be clear from the beginning why you are involved and what you can expect and what is expected of you. You can avoid possible misunderstandings later by discussing this with your line manager.
Responsibilities
You should know to whom you are responsible. It will be to this person that you will refer for advice on any aspect of your work.
Confidentiality
It is vital that you do not repeat things you know or overhear as a result of your work. It is also important that if you are asked by the media for information on your work, you refer this to the Centre Manager in SWC.
Regular Attendance
It will be possible to arrange your work according to the hours you wish to give, but reliability (including good time-keeping) will be expected. If for any reason you cannot attend when expected, give as much notice as possible.
Holidays
Please let your line manager know if you are going to be on holiday so that alternative arrangements can be made during your absence.
Insurance
Whilst working with SWC, you will have the same insurance cover that is provided for members of staff.
Expenses
You will not receive pay or honoraria whilst working with SWC. You will be entitled to expenses as set out below, but only when these are necessarily incurred during your working hours:
(1) Travel
If you do not use your own car, you will be reimbursed all costs incurred in using public transport. If you use your own car, you will be paid a mileage allowance at the rate applying from time to time. Rates are available from the Finance Manager.
(2) Claims
You will be required to keep a detailed record of all expenses incurred, and to submit to your line manager at agreed intervals a claims form in respect of these expenses, accompanied by receipts. You will appreciate that expenses cannot be paid unless this procedure is followed.
Support/Training
All volunteers need some support and this may come in a variety of ways and from different people. If you do however feel isolated, uncertain or unhappy, let your line manager know as soon as possible. Training may also be provided and if there is a course that would help your work, it may be possible that SWC can help with the cost of it.
Finishing Voluntary Work
If you find a permanent job or for some other reason wish to stop volunteering, SWC will appreciate as much notice as possible of your intentions.
.jpg)
.jpg)
