Recruiting and supporting volunteers in care settings
Plan ahead! Know what you need …
- Be clear about what you would like volunteers to do, what skills do you need them to bring, what would benefit the people you support, how are you going to integrate them into the team.
- Decide in advance if there is going to be any “reward” for volunteers or support with transport, DBS check training etc.
- Make the roles attractive – sell the organisation and the value of working in the role.
- Draft role descriptions for volunteers
- Ensure staff understand volunteer roles to avoid confusion
- Plan how you are going to find/recruit them
- Develop volunteer specific policies and procedures if necessary.
Understand why people might want to volunteer
People choose to give their time for numerous reasons, it could be to make new friends, do something valuable and worthwhile with their spare time, they may be recently retired or just want to help. For some people volunteering is a gateway into a new career which could be really attractive for a younger person starting work, people looking for a career change in midlife or for people with disabilities who would like to build their experience and CV.
Finding out people's reasons for volunteering and then matching them with a valuable role in the organisation will get you off to a flying start. Volunteers can start work at 16 but more usual is 18+.
- Use an application process similar to a job application … it is a serious commitment from the person to give their time to your organisation for free while others are being paid.
- Interview, take references and make an offer the same as you would for a paid post.
What can I ask volunteers to do?
- Volunteers can carry out a vast variety of roles in a care home, but they are not and can never be a sticking plaster for low staff levels or staff shortages. Volunteers should have a clearly defined role which could include:
- Befriending or being a companion to residents, just being there and reminiscing/chatting
- Help to fundraise or organise social events
- Bring special skills e.g., music, arts, crafts
- Support the administration/office function
- Be a driver or accompany people to appointments
- Help with maintenance or gardening
- In a CIC or Charity organisation, volunteers may be trustees or directors.
- Supporting the organisation with social media or website design (particularly student volunteers)
- Support residents' spiritual or religious needs.
- Running and organising particular Groups or activities.
Create a volunteer coordinator role
Creating a volunteer co-ordinator role in the staff team can benefit not only for the volunteers but for the staff involved and the home manager.
The role may require a small enhancement to pay or conditions but could be an excellent tool for retaining one of your valued staff who has expressed a desire to seek