Hull CVS delivers the only accredited Volunteer Centre in Hull. Using our 40 years of expertise, we assist people, organisations and businesses to start their journey and make a real difference to local communities.
Our Services
Whether you’re looking for information on how you start volunteering, an organisation looking to recruit volunteers; or a business wanting to engage your employees in volunteering, our expert team is always on hand to make sure you have everything you need to get involved. Our services include:
- Supporting people with volunteering queries and matching opportunities to their interests, skills and knowledge
- Acting as a brokerage for volunteers and volunteer involving organisations
- Assisting voluntary organisations to support and manage volunteers through specialist volunteer management training and good practice guides incorporating The Essential Guide to Volunteer Management
- Promoting volunteering throughout Hull; working in close partnership with public sector bodies, the private sector and voluntary and community organisations
- Supporting employers to encourage employees to take time out during the working week to put something back in the communities in which they live.
Helping Volunteers
The Volunteer Centre in Hull is there to support you in accessing volunteering opportunities and to enable you make a difference in the community. Our accessible suite comes fully-equipped with physical information about current volunteering opportunities, computers and private rooms so we can discuss in more detail about the opportunities you wish to be involved in.
When you visit our Volunteer Centre, a member of our team will meet with you to find out more about your background, interest and skills. They will use this information to support you in identifying volunteering opportunities best suited to you.
Please visit our drop in sessions at the following times:
- Monday – 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
- Wednesday – 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
- Friday – 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Where possible please call 01482 324474 or complete our online appointment form ahead of time to ensure you are able to be seen.
Current Opportunities
You can view current opportunites on the Time2Volunteer platform, which has various local volunteering opportunities, all in one place, which you can filter by location, skills and experience.
Find out more on the Time2Volunteer website.
Volunteer Concerns
If you’re a volunteer and you have concerns about volunteering let us know.
You may be concerned that your rights as a volunteer aren’t being respected, or that the organisation you are volunteering with perhaps doesn’t have the correct policies and processes in place. If this is the case let us know so we can provide support for you, and for the organisation you volunteer for.
Enquiries
Support for Local Organisations
There are many areas where voluntary and community sector organisations can seek support. Volunteer Centre Hull provides a robust support package for local organisations to ensure they are well-equipped to deliver their activities and in supporting and managing volunteers.
If you are looking for volunteers, Volunteer Centre Hull is here to help.
Volunteer Management
Whether you are setting up a volunteer programme for the first time or if you are facing more challenging complex issues the Volunteer Centre is here for you.
Our aim is to ensure your organisation understands good practice that supports volunteers to have a positive volunteering experience.
We can provide you with good practice guidance on a range of volunteer management issues and we have a range of sample templates available which we can help you to adapt to suit the needs of your organisation.
If you have responsibility for recruiting, supervising or managing volunteers; are setting up a volunteer programme for the first time; or if you are facing more complex issues we are here to help.
We offer a range of practical support for Volunteering Involving Organisations and aim to ensure that organisations comply with good practice including factsheets, guidance and sample policies covering a range of volunteer management issues:
- Health and Safety including risk assessments
- Equal Opportunities
- Insurance
- Safeguarding and lone working
- Data Protection
- Volunteering and State Benefits
- Volunteer Role Descriptions
- Volunteer Application Forms
- Volunteer Policies including volunteer agreements, induction, supervision, expenses
- Retaining Volunteers including certificates and saying thank you to your volunteers
Developing a Volunteer Policy
If you involve volunteers in your organisation you are advised to have in place a volunteer policy. Having this policy can provide your organisation with a framework for establishing a volunteering programme.
The aim of a volunteer policy is to provide overall cohesion to the various policies and procedures that affect volunteering, for example recruitment, expenses, health and safety and so on. It will also help define the role of volunteers within the organisation and how they can expect to be treated.
Everyone has a right to take part in volunteering and to have a fulfilling and productive experience. The purpose of this model volunteering policy is to help voluntary organisations and volunteers to enjoy such a positive experience. It can be used in developing your own policy for your organisation and you are free to adapt it as appropriate.
You can find helpful resources for volunteering organisations on the dedicated Resources page on Time2Volunteer, including template Volunteer Policies, Volunteer agreements and more.
Organisational Development
Understanding what you need as an organisation to ensure you are both protected and protecting volunteers can be a mindfield. That’s why we ensure local organisations are meeting the standard expected, with all of the right tools, policies and processes in place, through our free organisation healthcheck service.
Our organisation healthcheck service:
- reviews your organisations processes to identify areas which are working well and others which may need further support
- looks at what policies and procedures you may need to update / implement to meet the minimum expected standard
- provides reassurance through a detailed action plan to ensure your organisation is robust
As a minimum organisations need the following in place before recruiting volunteers:
- Safeguarding Policy
- Equality & Diversity Policy
- Health and Safety Policy
- Public / Employers Liability insurance that covers volunteers
To advertise your vacancies on Time2Volunteer you need the following policies in place:
- Volunteer Policy
- Volunteer Agreement
- Problem Solving Procedure
Enquiries
For more detailed information and support, please contact a member of our team on 01482 324474 or by using the contact form below.
Employer Supported Volunteering
Many employers engage in corporate social responsibility programmes which enable their staff to volunteer either individually or in a group. There are many benefits for the individual, the employer and the wider community.
Developing an Employer Supported Volunteering strategy can seem daunting, especially if you’re not a large enterprise. However that’s where we can help.
With our experience and expertise we can provide you with all the information and advice you need to develop a successful strategy. As a general guide, businesses typically offer staff between one to three days paid leave each year to support local causes, which also helps to developing staff skills and team working.
Employer Supported Volunteering can:
- Enhance the wellbeing and development of employees.
- Improve their work skills and enhance. transferrable skills
- Maintain or develop community links.
- Be an alternative approach to staff development and training.
- Increase publicity and reinforce organisational reputation.
- Help attract and retain employees.
We can help you by:
- Promoting volunteering in your workplace by providing information on volunteering and its benefits.
- Providing information on local voluntary sector groups and charities which are in need of support.
- Advertising your offer to local voluntary sector groups and charities through our various communications channels.
Enquiries
For more detailed information and support, please contact a member of our team on 01482 324474 or by using the contact form below.