Volunteering internally and externally are of equal merit and the only deciding factor which should be considered is opportunity most appealing to the individual. It may be important to become involved with an opportunity that will give you relevant work experience; you may have an area of expertise you would like to share or you may wish to integrate your hobby into your volunteering.
Methods of Recruitment:
- Welcome Week
- Volunteering Fair
- Students contact service directly
- Students already participating in activity
- Website
- Poster and advertising space on campus
- The Bulletin and Your Union Update mailouts
We work with a large number of local, national and international organisations to offer a comprehensive range of volunteering opportunities to meet the needs of all students.
The majority of these are local charities and community groups, selected according to the roles they have on offer and if they meet our criteria as a safe place to send our students.
Volunteering with an external organisation is a great way to make connections with the local community, support the valuable work they do, get useful networking opportunities and gain ‘real life’ volunteering experience away from the university setting. The connections you make while volunteering can be invaluable in your post-university working life and you never know when they will come in useful further down the line.
The opportunities we have on offer are selected to include as wide a range as possible and to appeal to students no matter which discipline they are studying.
RGUSU Expects Volunteers To:
- Regular Attendance – If you cannot meet your voluntary commitments, please
remember to inform your organisation so that people aren’t let down
- Openness, Dedication and Honesty – Do things that you have said you will
- Attend appropriate training sessions and meetings
- Be an ambassador for your University, Union and other volunteers as well as yourself
- Respect and understand the needs and wishes of others
- Maintain confidentiality of all privileged information which they may become aware of in their role
- Take reasonable care for the health & safety of themselves and others who may be affected by their acts or omissions
- Disclose any information which may effect their suitability for a role, such information will be dealt with confidentiality
What To Expect From RGUSU:
- Support and guidance
- Training will be provided where appropriate
- Equality - no volunteer will be excluded
- Receive recognition for the effort you have made
- Confidentiality of your personal details in line with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDRP)
Confidentiality/Boundaries:
Volunteers must understand that they cannot discuss personal information relating to other students or clients they are working with. If a volunteer needs to talk about what has been said to them, something they have heard or seen they should speak with their supervisor, other colleagues or RGUSU CEO.
Volunteers should be aware not to get emotionally involved with anyone at their placement whilst they are working there.
Expectations When Working With Vulnerable Adults, Children or Young People:
It is important to be aware that if you work with vulnerable or young people you may have to deal with a situation where they ask you to keep a secret. A volunteer should inform them “if what they are about to tell you is something which is either hurting them or someone else then legally you would have to tell someone who can help them." If they choose not to tell you it is important to make your supervisor aware of your conversation.
If they tell you they are being abused or mistreated in any way. Here are a few points as to how to deal with it.
- Stay calm – reassure them and try not to look shocked.
- Do not press for information, but if you have to ask questions use open questions.
- Things you might want to say: “It’s not your fault", “I’m glad you’ve told me", “I know the person that can help you and I can support you to talk to them” or "I am not going to tell everyone, only the people who can help you."
- Discreetly tell the supervisor or group leader as soon as possible.
- Don’t be afraid to seek help for yourself.
- Remember you are not responsible for dealing with this so pass it on.