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Volunteer
Can you give us the gift of time
Join our team of volunteers and help us keep families SAFE.
The Gift of Time
Our volunteers are our true champions giving the precious gift of their time. Would you like to join our incredible team of people devoted to ending domestic violence and abuse? All sorts of people volunteer for many different reasons. Whether you are retired, working, studying or job hunting, there is a rewarding role for you here at SAFE.
What our volunteers do?
We have fantastic opportunities across a range of volunteer roles and projects
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Admin Support Volunteer
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Awareness Raising Volunteer
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Fundraising and Events Volunteer
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Finding Your Voice Community Outreach Volunteer
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Pattern Change Mentor Volunteer
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Marketing and Social Media Volunteer
We require all our volunteers to undergo an enhanced DBS police check.
Due to the sensitive nature of our work, we are not able to take volunteers who are under the age of 18 for a support role. However, we would value your contribution in other areas of our service such as marketing, fundraising, raising our profile on social media and administration.
If you would like to volunteer or would like more information please contact Sarah Richards on 01392 269 544 or email [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
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Who can volunteer?
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Do you offer training to volunteers?
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What will I get out of volunteering?
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How much time do I have to give as a volunteer?
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What skills do I need to volunteer?
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Will volunteering affect my benefits?
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I’m a refugee/asylum seeker, can I volunteer?
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I’m under 18, can I still volunteer?
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I have a conviction. Can I still volunteer?
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Do I need to supply references?
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I know it’s not really volunteering, but do you offer work experience opportunities?
Q. Who can volunteer?
A. Almost anyone! SAFE is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity for everyone who wants to volunteer with us. Our volunteers include students, former service users, job seekers, retired workers and full-time employees. All SAFE’s staff and volunteers are expected to be committed to SAFE’s values and we screen all our volunteers who will have contact service users.
Q. Do you offer training to volunteers?
A. Yes we do. There are a range of courses that the organisation will make available to you to help you in your volunteer role. You will have an induction into your volunteering role with SAFE. We offer a 10 week accredited training programme in the Causes and Effects Of Domestic Abuse.
You will be offered training opportunities wherever appropriate on an ongoing basis.
Q. What will I get out of volunteering?
A. It depends on what motivates you. Volunteering with SAFE will mean you are making a difference to victims of domestic Abuse. You could also benefit from using your existing skills, learning new ones, and being with other people. If you're looking for work or a change of career, you will gain valuable experience for your CV.
Q. How much time do I have to give as a volunteer?
A. As much as you want. We'll tell you what we're looking for and you can tell us what you can do and when you can do it. Some people volunteer for a couple of hours a week, others help out at one-off events or during school holidays.
Q. What skills do I need to volunteer?
A. We want every volunteer to develop to their full potential, and whilst we try to match the volunteering role to the volunteer’s skills, we can also offer further, relevant training and development opportunities. However, enthusiasm and the ability to smile, be empathetic and encourage are the most important skills required.
Q. Will volunteering affect my benefits?
A. Many people are concerned that volunteering might affect their benefits and with the move to a new benefit system called Universal Credit, there is bound to be some uncertainty. We suggest speaking to your benefits advisor if you have any questions, and please let us know of any concerns so that we may help you.
Universal Credit is a new benefit that has started to replace 6 existing benefits and will be paid if you’re out of work or on a low income. Since April 2013, Universal Credit is in place in two areas of England and will be rolled out to all of the UK from October 2013 until the end of 2017.
Information about Universal Credit can be found on the following website:www.gov.uk/universal-credit
SAFE understands that volunteers in receipt of benefits must be able to attend an interview within 48 hours of being asked. We will enable and support you to do this.
You can receive out-of-pocket expenses without affecting your benefits.
Q. I am a refugee/asylum seeker, can I volunteer?
A. Asylum seekers, people who have refugee status or who have exceptional leave to remain in the UK, are all eligible to volunteer. SAFE may be able to involve you as a volunteer, as long as you have your own accommodation in the UK and fulfil our screening criteria necessary for the volunteering opportunity.
Q. I’m under 18, can I still volunteer?
A. SAFE welcomes the inclusion of young people as volunteers. However, due to the sensitive nature of some of our work, individual services will consider a suitable minimum age for volunteers in each of the roles they offer.
Q. I have a conviction. Can I still volunteer?
A. As an organisation working with children and vulnerable adults, SAFE is required by law to carry out clearance checks on volunteers, referred to as ‘screening’. Screening is the process of carrying out checks to find out if a volunteer is suitable to work with service users. This process includes interviewing, taking references and carrying out DBS checks (formerly known as CRB).
Most convictions won’t stop you from volunteering, but we need to be told of any convictions you have.
Q. Do I need to supply references?
A. Checks on all prospective volunteers will include taking up two references, at least one of which should be from someone who knows you from an educational or employment situation. If you are not currently working, a reference must be requested from your last employer, regardless of any lapse in time. If you don’t have previous employment experience, we will talk to you about appropriate references and come up with an agreement. We can’t accept references from family members.
