Volunteering with Headway Dorset

Why do we need Volunteers?

As a voluntary organisation, Headway Dorset could not run its Befriending Scheme without volunteers.

Volunteers are essential for making sure that as many head injured clients as possible can take part in community services.

One of the aims of the Befriending Scheme project is to improve volunteering as a positive experience. We will seek to involve volunteers to:

• Ensure that our services meet the needs of our clients
• Provide new skills and perspectives
• Increase our contact with the local community we serve

Why Volunteer?

• It's fun
• It can be a very rewarding experience
• To be part of a team
• To meet new people
• To gain new skills
• Training opportunities
• Work experience and references

What Skills do Volunteers need?

• Empathy
• Being supportive
• Commitment
• Accepting of responsibility
• Sense of humour
• Respect for the rights of others
• Ability to "think outside of the box"

Before you start Volunteering

Before you start volunteering with Headway Dorset, we will need to ask you for two references and to complete a CRB check. We ask you to do this because head injured clients may be vulnerable and we need to protect their interests.

We will also meet with you to discuss your likes and dislikes, your skills and how your potential may be realized. This will enable us to make sure that the person you befriend has similar interests and likes to yourself, so that you find volunteering an enjoyable experience. We will also discuss your expectations of volunteering with Headway Dorset to ensure that your volunteer role is suitable for you.

Volunteer Agreement

We will ask you to sign a Volunteer Agreement before commencing volunteering with us. The volunteer Agreement sets out what you can expect from Headway Dorset and the standards that we expect from our volunteers.

Induction and Training

Headway Dorset recognizes that it's most important resource is its employees and volunteers. It is committed to the training and development of its entire workforce so that they will gain the necessary skills to reach their full potential.

We will try to make sure that you feel comfortable in your volunteer role and that you have the necessary support, information and guidance you require.

All volunteers will receive Induction Training. Training will be provided as appropriate and we will meet with you to discuss any training needs you may have.

Support

Each volunteer will receive supervision from a named person at Headway Dorset. There will be peer support meetings on a regular basis.