Giving Something Back: Volunteering with the WRVS

Eulogy spoke to Head of Volunteering at WRVS, Christine Dobson, to find out what it's like working in the voluntary sector, and to offer our readers advice on how they can get involved.

Is it hard to encourage people to volunteer for WRVS?

People sometimes don’t know enough about us and just how volunteering can be flexible and fit into their life. We find that once we start talking to people about the great work we do to help older people they are usually very enthusiastic and supportive. Often people are just waiting to be asked to get involved.

What skills are charities looking for in order to participate?

WRVS is a large charity and therefore we look to match the skills of our volunteers to appropriate roles. We can offer volunteering opportunities in service delivery roles as well as in specialist functions such as HR, media, marketing, finance etc. The one thing that all volunteers need is enthusiasm!

Is the voluntary sector competitive?

Yes it is in terms of recruiting volunteers. All charities need volunteers and therefore they try to persuade people that their charity can offer great volunteering opportunities. However there is also collaboration between charities. For example, we are always happy to share good practice with others in the sector and come together to give a voice on volunteering issues. At the end of the day, it’s a two way street: we need to offer great opportunities to people, and they should feel happy about giving something back.

Are they any volunteering programmes in WRVS that are particularly popular?

We try to match our volunteers to the best roles for them so that they all enjoy their time with us. Because we are able to offer a wide variety of opportunities there is something for everyone. We have been particularly successful in recruiting more young people into volunteering with WRVS over the last three years, increasing our number by 2000. Our young volunteers tell us that they enjoy their volunteering - we are one of the few charities offering volunteering to people from the age of 14.

How does WRVS encourage people to volunteer?

We run recruitment campaigns to highlight the kind of opportunities that people can get involved in. We also occasionally have social events such as coffee mornings where volunteers can bring along their friends and family members to encourage them to get involved. We are also actively promoting how volunteering benefits all those involved through features in the national and regional media. Campaigns such as our recent ’66 over 66 PowerList’ also help promote the positive benefits of volunteering and encourage older people to get involved – the Local Heroes section of the PowerList highlighted the amazing contribution that ordinary people make every day across Britain just by giving up their time to help in their local communities.

Is it an easy process?

We try to make our administration processes as streamlined as possible. Volunteers complete a simple application form and sometimes if the role requires it a CRB disclosure application. It can take a little time to obtain references and CRB disclosures but given that we deal with very vulnerable adults we have to ensure that we have appropriate safeguarding measures in place. However, we do try to keep things as simple as possible.

What are the benefits of volunteering?
 
There are many benefits for volunteers. Our website includes ‘real life stories’ from WRVS volunteers, giving an insight into what it really means to be a volunteer.

http://www.wrvs.org.uk/our-impact/real-life-stories

Some of these benefits include:

  Helping others
  Meeting new people
  Gaining new skills
  Building confidence after career breaks
  Contributing to the work of WRVS

Could you give any advice about ways people can get involved?

People can ring 0845 601 4670 to chat to one of our recruitment team about volunteering. In addition we have lots of information on our website (www.wrvs.org.uk). Also members of the public can ask for information at any of our services.

“At the end of the day, it's a two-way street: we need to offer great opportunities to people, and they should feel happy about giving something back."

"We are one of the few charities offering volunteering to people from the age of 14."