How do I apply for a volunteering role? Expand 1. Complete the application form You can find an application form on our volunteering opportunities page or you can click here to download the form directly. Please ensure that you write the name of the volunteering role you are applying for at the top of the form. You will need to provide two references, which we may contact during the enrolment process. 2. Submit the application form You can email your application form to us at [email protected] or if you would prefer, you can print and send the form to: WDP Volunteer Services, 1st Floor, Ilford Chambers, 11 Chapel Road, Ilford, IG1 2DR 3. Wait to hear back from us You will receive a confirmation email from us once you have submitted your application form. We will get back to you within 10 working days. If you have any queries in the meantime, we are happy to help. Need help with your application? Email us at [email protected]
What volunteering roles can I get involved in at WDP? Expand We have a variety of volunteer roles across our services, which include: Practitioners (who support our staff in working with our service users) Skills facilitators to run groups (e.g. arts and crafts, music) Volunteer counsellors Complementary therapists (e.g. yoga teachers, acupuncture) Administrators and receptionists Social Work students Employability skills coaches Health trainers IT trainers Cooks Gardeners Innovation and Research Unit Volunteers Capital Card Ambassadors
What does a Volunteer Counsellor do? Expand Our counselling service provides people with the opportunity to meet in private with a Volunteer Counsellor for 12 weekly (up to 1 year), 50-minute sessions to discuss issues and concerns, which are currently making life difficult. These could include any of the following and more: addictions, low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, self-harm, relationship difficulties, loss of purpose or meaning, family difficulties, loss and bereavement, anger, depression, trauma, etc. You will enable individuals to identify and explore their concerns whilst reviewing options and assisting individuals to decide on a course of action. As a Volunteer Counsellor, you will: See a minimum of 3 clients and a maximum of 6 clients per week (1 day). Keep accurate records of work in line with WDP expectations and feedback any issues to your line manager/supervisor Attend ongoing training in discussion with your clinical supervisor Adhere to all WDP policies and procedures In addition to the above you will be invited to participate in meetings where relevant and to carry out other tasks as deemed necessary to support the needs of the counselling service.
What does a Volunteer Receptionist/Administrator do? Expand Volunteer Receptionists/Administrators provide a welcoming presence for people coming into our services. The role can include: Covering reception duties, answering the telephones and welcoming service users to the service Undertaking day-to-day administrative tasks such as filing, archiving and photocopying Supporting the collection, collation and inputting of service data Working with local and national databases that record service activity. In addition to the above you will be expected to participate in team meetings where relevant and to carry out other tasks as deemed necessary to support the needs of the service.
What does a Volunteer Recovery Practitioner do? Expand Volunteer Recovery Practitioners support the delivery of a wide range of interventions for our service users. The role can include: Advising service users on drug awareness, overdose prevention, safer injecting, safer sex practices and other harm minimisation advice Supporting staff to complete service user assessments (Please note you will not be asked to carry out initial assessments) Supporting staff who have a caseload of service users; this may involve working with service users and co-facilitating groups. Assisting service users to access wider services, including completing referrals to onward local agencies. In addition to the above you will be expected to participate in team meetings where relevant and to carry out other tasks as deemed necessary to support the needs of the service.
What does a Capital Card Ambassador do? Expand Capital Card Ambassador roles can include: Supporting with the Capital Card Shop on Wheels during the COVID-19 pandemic Conducting desktop research to identify potential local Spend Partners Communicating, promoting, and organising surveys or consultations in your service Championing service users' interests, feedback, values, beliefs, and contributions Approaching potential Spend Partners in the community (this could be in person or by telephone/email) and promoting the value of involvement with the Capital Card Supporting the service's Capital Card Lead In addition to the above you will be expected to participate in team meetings where relevant and to carry out other tasks as deemed necessary to support the needs of the service.
What support will I receive as a volunteer? Expand If you decide to volunteer with us, you will be allocated to a supervisor once you begin your role. They will provide you with ongoing support and regular supervision meetings and will work closely with you to ensure you get the most out of your volunteer experience at WDP. There is also a central volunteer services team that will support you while on your placement. You can also expect: A full induction to your role and continuous training Access to organisational training opportunities Reimbursement of reasonable travel and lunch expenses
Once I have sent my application form to you, when will you get back to me? Expand You will receive an automated email to acknowledge that we have received your application. If you are applying for an advertised volunteer role, we will be in touch within 10 working days. All other applications will be reviewed and you will be contacted if a suitable vacancy arises. Do keep checking our website regularly, as new Volunteering Opportunities are advertised as they become available.
Do you want to hear from people who can offer something other than the roles advertised? Expand If you have a particular vocation or skill which you think could help WDP service users, we’d love to hear from you! Please send us an email at [email protected].
Can I work and volunteer at the same time? Expand Absolutely – there are no stipulations on working outside of your volunteer placement, unless you are receiving benefits. However, we ask that you are able to commit to the days and hours that you have agreed with your Service Manager / Supervisor. If you are having any difficulties in committing to your agreed days and times you will need to discuss this with your supervisor, as a priority.
What training will I receive? Expand Throughout a volunteer placement, individuals have access to the same training opportunities available to paid members of staff, apart from management specific courses. A quarter of all places on training courses are allocated to volunteers. You can access local training arranged by your service and there will also be opportunities for specialist volunteer training either locally or at the head office. When being inducted by your supervisor you should agree on a training plan which can be reviewed during supervision.
Recruitment of ex-offenders Expand We recognise that individuals looking for volunteer positions with WDP may have criminal records. While certain serious offences may have an impact on the volunteer roles you can undertake, having a criminal record will not automatically bar you from undertaking volunteer positions with WDP. It is important to be honest about any criminal convictions you may have when applying for a volunteer role. This is because, if you are successful in achieving a volunteer role, you will be asked to complete a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check (formerly a CRB check). Please contact [email protected] if you would like to discuss any issues around previous convictions or DBS checks.
Do I have to be abstinent to volunteer? Expand WDP will review applications on an individual basis. We have no specific requirements for periods of abstinence but would expect applicants to be motivated and ready to fulfil voluntary role descriptions that have been applied for.
Am I able to volunteer while receiving benefits? Expand Receiving state benefits should not impact on any volunteer placements that you undertake, provided that you do not receive payment while volunteering and that you adhere to the conditions of the benefits that you receive. For example, if you are receiving Job Seekers Allowance you will still need to evidence that you are looking for paid employment and be available for an interview within 48 hours. Full information relating to volunteering and state benefits can be found on the following links: https://www.gov.uk/volunteering/when-people-can-volunteer Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that volunteering does not impinge on the requirements of your benefits.
Can I get my out of pocket expenses reimbursed? Expand Yes - we will reimburse reasonable travel and lunch costs.
Do I need a DBS check (previously CRB) to volunteer with WDP? Expand Yes. All volunteer roles require a full Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check (previously a CRB check). Once you receive your approved DBS check, please let the WDP Volunteering team know as we would need to make a copy for our records. Without a valid DBS check, you can start your role but you will not be able to do any one-to-one work with service users. For any volunteering roles involving work with families and children, unfortunately you will not be able to start your volunteer role until you show us your completed DBS check.
How much volunteering do I need to do to get a job in the field? Expand What volunteering will do is give you valuable experience which will increase your chances of becoming employed with WDP or other Social Care agencies. Usually, at least six months experience in this or a related field to is required to be employed in a practitioner role.