Training

Training is an essential element of good practice in volunteer management and is increasingly recognised as a feature of successful organisations. While choice is a defining feature of volunteering, and not every volunteer will want to undertake training, training opportunities are by some volunteers seen as an incentive, especially by young people or those looking to develop their employability prospects and transferable skills. Some skilled volunteer roles may stipulate a willingness to undertake training as part of the role’s requirements. However, training offered to volunteers must have a direct bearing on their voluntary work to avoid a number of potential problems with regards to employment law that can arise if it is not regarded as relevant to a volunteer’s role.

Volunteers may need training in particular organisational procedures or to make sure that everyone can meet organisational standards of work. Sometimes funders expect or demand training for those involved in the projects they support. In some organisations training is an important element in risk management. 

In your first meeting with the charity you might want to ask what training you are expected to undertake or what opportunities for training the organisation has to offer. Of course it all depends on the type of voluntary role as to whether training is at all appropriate, but at the very minimum there should be support and supervision.

Once a year, JVN runs a general training session for volunteers on the following topics:

• What volunteering means, and issues to consider before starting to volunteer.
• How much time do I need to volunteer for and will it cost me anything?
• What to ask in an interview.
• What is expected of a volunteer?
• How do I make it clear that I want to move on?
• How do I give and receive feedback?

Please check out our events page for the next training event.