What can volunteering offer you?

Volunteering can offer you the chance to learn new skills, use your existing skills and expertise, develop new interests, meet people, become involved in action that effects social change and the opportunity to get involved!

Volunteer Bureaux are committed to promoting volunteering to people who are not traditionally seen as volunteers. This means that Bureaux put resources into promoting volunteering to people who are disadvantaged or who are from groups who are discriminated against.

Staff here at Swale Council for Voluntary Services and Volunteer Centre have experience of placing and supporting volunteers in a range of opportunities, from working for environmental groups to becoming involved in action that effects social change.

 
The diversity of volunteering opportunities is enormous.

We have over 160 volunteering opportunities listed.  If you have some time to spare and would like to put something into your community then we can probably find the right placement for you. Once placed we continue to liaise with you and the organisation you are volunteering for to ensure that your needs and theirs are being met.  If, for any reason, you later find that the opportunity is not really what you are seeking then we will make every effort to find the right one.

What do I need to become a volunteer?

It could not be easier.  All you have to do is contact us either by telephone, fax or e-mail.  We can make an appointment for you to visit one of our three offices situated in the Swale area at which time we can discuss with you thoroughly what you are looking for and what is available.  This is a fairly informal interview at which we try to get to know a little more about you, what you have to offer and where your talents may by.  Oh yes, you might not realise some of the talents that you have, but they are there.

What happens next?

Once we have taken your details and discussed what volunteering opportunities are available which you may enjoy we send off for your references.  We always require two references from prospective volunteers.

In some cases, Volunteer Drivers for example, we will also need to take a copy of your Driving Licence for our records.  We would also contact your insurance company to confirm that your insurance covers voluntary driving.  Two passport-sized photographs are required for the purpose of producing Identity Cards.  In any event, once the paperwork has been completed and collated, we will then discuss everything with the prospective volunteer and then refer them on to whichever organisation, group etc they wish to help.

 
How long does It take to become a volunteer?

This very much depends on how long it takes for us to receive your references, or a reply from your insurance company.  Generally, it may taker between two and four weeks.

What if I find that I do not enjoy what I am doing or that it is not what I expected?

This can sometimes happen.  But if it does, do not worry.  At Swale Council for Voluntary Services and Volunteer Centre we will always try to re-match you with a suitable position.

 
SO – WHY WAIT? – IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING CONTACT US NOW