Volunteer

Volunteers work in a number of roles on a non paid basis and assist in the day to day running of the organisation they are working for, this can range from retail work to gardening as well as a diverse range of other activities.

 The Job

There are many different definitions of what a volunteer is. The Compact Code of Good Practice on Volunteering published in 2005 defines volunteering as “…an activity that involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the environment or individuals or groups other than (or in addition to) close relatives”.

The National Survey of Volunteering published in 1997 defined volunteering as "any activity which involves spending time, unpaid, doing something which aims to benefit someone (individuals or groups) other than or in addition to close relatives, or to benefit the environment".

As you can see the role of a volunteer is very complex but is also very necessary to keeping the Third Sector afloat. In the Voluntary Action Journal article published in 2001 writers defined the work of a volunteer as follows: “It is possible to identify at least four different types of volunteer activity, categorised according to their final outcome or final purpose: mutual aid or self-help; philanthropy or service to others; participation; and advocacy or campaigning”

Skills Needed
 
A number of skills and abilities are required to carry out the role of the Volunteer successfully and include;

 • Smart appearance
 • Enjoy working in a team environment
 • Enjoy working with the public
 • Possess or would like to develop strong customer care skills
 • Confident in handling cash
 • Possess or would like to develop display & merchandising skills
 • Security conscious
 • Strong communication

Useful Training
 
There is no specific training for this role, but when you start to volunteer for an organisation, depending on the work that you are doing, you will be trained in this area.

See www.do-it.org.uk or www.volunteering.org.uk for more information regarding volunteer opportunities available in your area.