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Address:
Central Hall, Oldham Street, Manchester, M1 1JQ
Tel 0161 236 2462
STORIES OF VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Story
Thinking of being a volunteer makes you consider just what you can offer. It seems such a big responsibility and it is easy to fall into the trap of imagining it can only be for highly trained, very gifted professionals with the ability to sort out all the problems you could imagine.
In fact being able to listen, willing to ask questions that help people express where they are and what they really want and not being devoid of empathy are the things that count.
The men that contact us have taken the biggest step in deciding they want to live a different life and in being willing to ask for help. Standing alongside someone who has been brave enough to do that and saying I may not have all the answers but I am ready to support you is a great privilege.
I have found that it is not what I know or can do that matters but just being there and caring. I have gained more than I have given and would struggle to think of a more worthwhile or rewarding way of spending my time.
It may be very frustrating to make appointments that are not kept but the person will always know that someone was willing to help and when you do begin a series of meetings you will have started on a journey that could change and enhance not only their life but yours also.
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VOLUNTEER POLICY.
Mission Statement
The Greater Manchester Community Chaplaincy project recognises the damage that is caused to individuals and to the community through crime. The project exists to provide support to people leaving prison of all faiths and none. We provide mentoring support that involves befriending and support on a range of issues but which is based on a professional working relationship. This community based project is designed to achieve the following objectives:
• To reduce the number of victims of crime by supporting people
who have served a custodial sentence to reduce offending behaviour
• Will draw faith communities together to work alongside people
as they are released from prison
• To enable individuals to support themselves in the community without
recourse to offending
• To enable individuals to make or restore healthy, mutually supportive
relationships with their family, friends and neighbours
• To make a contribution to the overall reduction of crime and substance
use, thereby helping to develop safer communities and enhancing the lives
of the people who live in them.
Volunteers are at the very heart of the Community Chaplaincy Project. Volunteering with us will be challenging but also very rewarding, and hopefully great fun. This is your chance to make a difference to someone leaving prison, your community and yourself. You will receive comprehensive training that will prepare you for working with people leaving prison.
Volunteering as a Befriender
What is a volunteer? A volunteer is an individual who represents and carries out tasks for the project but who does not expect payment for those tasks other than out of pocket expenses. A volunteer is therefore not an employee of the organisation and therefore will not take on the same responsibility as a member of staff.
Principles
• The Community Chaplaincy Project is committed to Equal Opportunities
and applies this commitment actively throughout its service provision
• The Community Chaplaincy Project recognises the contribution that
volunteers make to the work of the project, and is committed to good practice
with volunteers
• Volunteers will not be used to replace paid workers
• Volunteers will be consulted regularly in the development of the
service
Our Responsibility Towards You
• We will provide you with the opportunity to take part in meaningful
work that will benefit both you and us
• We will provide opportunities for you to become fully involved
in the organisations work
• We will provide breaks determined by the hours worked which will
be discussed at interview
• We will provide regular supervision and ongoing training
Your Responsibility Towards Us
• To perform agreed tasks to the best of your ability
• To comply with all policies and procedures of the organisation
Recruiting Volunteers
There will be an ongoing process of volunteer recruitment through faith communities, voluntary agencies, local services and local academic institutions. Volunteers will be invited for an interview to discuss the different opportunities that the organisation can offer and the skills and abilities that they can offer the service. Areas covered by the interview will include:
• The aims and objectives of the project
• The reasons why the prospective volunteer is interested in volunteering
for the project
• The relevant experience of the prospective volunteer
• The roles and activities of particular interest to the prospective
volunteer
• The amount of time available for volunteering and the times at
which it would be possible
• An agreement on time commitment (hours per week) prior to commencing
volunteer work
• Any criminal convictions
Volunteering should benefit both the organisation and the volunteer. It is important to be clear about what the organisation can and cannot offer the volunteer.
• All recruitment of volunteers is carried out in line with the
project policies on Equal Opportunities, Diversity and Recruitment
• All prospective volunteers must complete an application form,
attend an interview and provide two references
• PNC checks must be completed and references received before voluntary
work commences. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an applicant
from volunteering for the project, as each application is considered on
its merits
Before commencing work all volunteers will sign a Volunteer Agreement, which signals their willingness to abide by the terms and conditions of the Project’s Volunteer Manual. This agreement also sets out in detail the organisation’s commitment to its volunteers. Each applicant will be clear as to their role which will be negotiated and developed as appropriate, in consultation with volunteers, to support and ensure the continued relevance of project provision. Volunteers should not ordinarily be asked to carry out certain responsibilities outside their job description. However, they may be asked to support staff in carrying out these duties as part of their training and development.
Induction, Training & Support
Each volunteer will be assigned a supervisor who will ensure that an appropriate induction is undertaken, in line with the Supervision, Induction & Training Policy. Following this period, supervision will take place within the first month of volunteering and at regular intervals following this. The aim of supervision is to review progress, explore any problems and enable volunteers to discuss the development of their role. If at any time prior to supervision the volunteer wishes to speak to their line manager, they should feel able to do so. If this is not possible then the volunteer should feel able to talk to another staff member, on the understanding that information will in turn be passed to the volunteer supervisor. Training will be provided in accordance with each volunteer’s Training and Development Plan.
TO DOWNLOAD A VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FORM CLICK HERE
