FAQ For Young people

  • Local Bus Time and Route to Your Placement:

    • Identify the bus routes that pass near your placement location.
    • Check the local bus schedule for the times that buses are available.
    • Consider using a public transportation app or website to find the most convenient bus times and routes.

    Local Train Time:

    • Determine if there is a train station near your placement.
    • Look up the train schedule to find suitable times that align with your placement hours.
    • Use an online journey planner or train service website to check real-time train schedules and any potential delays.

    Requesting a Lift:

    • Ask a parent, guardian, or carer if they can provide you with a lift to your placement.
    • Coordinate with them to ensure their availability matches your placement schedule.
    • Discuss and confirm the pickup and drop-off times to avoid any misunderstandings.

  • Volunteering is an amazing way to spend your time making a positive impact in your community while having a lot of fun! Here’s why volunteering rocks:

    • Make a Difference: You get to help people and causes that matter to you, which feels incredibly rewarding.
    • Learn New Skills: Volunteering lets you try new things and pick up skills that are both useful and exciting.
    • Meet Awesome People: You'll meet new friends who share your passions and interests, making every experience more enjoyable.
    • Boost Your Resume: Showing your volunteer work on a resume or college application highlights your dedication and can open doors for future opportunities.
    • Feel Great: There’s nothing like the feeling of knowing you’ve made a positive impact and contributed to something bigger than yourself.

FAQ For Parents

  • Ensuring the safety and well-being of young volunteers is our top priority. Here's how we safeguard your child:

    Preventing Exploitation:

    • We implement strict measures to protect young volunteers from any form of exploitation.
    • We collaborate closely with organisations to ensure they provide a safe and supportive environment.

    Healthy Relationships:

    • A clear code of conduct is established for all volunteers and staff to follow.
    • Young volunteers are informed about who they can approach if they have any concerns and are encouraged to do so.
    • We ensure that young volunteers are never left alone with adults unless the adults are members of staff who have been DBS approved, for the safety of our young people.

    Emotional Support:

    • We consider the emotional impact of volunteer activities and provide support for any concerns that arise.
    • We acknowledge the pressures young volunteers may face, such as exam stress or family responsibilities, and make necessary adjustments to their roles to accommodate these factors.

    Health and Safety:

    • We provide comprehensive health and safety training to all young volunteers.
    • We ensure that all volunteer activities are conducted in a safe environment with appropriate supervision.
    • Safety protocols are in place, including emergency procedures and first aid support.

    By focusing on these areas, we strive to create a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for young people to enjoy their volunteering experiences. 

  • There is no cost for the volunteering placement itself; it is completely free for your child to participate. However, please note that you are responsible for covering the cost of your child's transportation to and from the volunteering placement.

  • The volunteering placement requires that young people complete a minimum of 15 hours. This commitment can be broken down into smaller periods to ensure it does not clash with their prior commitments, including their education. We are flexible and will work with you and your child to schedule their volunteer hours in a way that fits around their school and other important activities. Our goal is to provide a valuable experience without impacting their education.

FAQ For Organisations

  • We take great care in selecting our volunteers to ensure they are reliable and committed. Each volunteer is chosen based on their passion for volunteering and giving back to the community. Our selection process includes:

    • Thorough screening to ensure volunteers are dedicated and trustworthy.
    • Evaluating their motivation and enthusiasm for community service.
    • Providing appropriate training to prepare them for their roles.

    By focusing on these aspects, we ensure that all volunteers participating in the project are dependable and genuinely passionate about making a positive impact.

  • The minimum time requirement for young people participating in our volunteering opportunities is 15 hours. This ensures that they have a valuable and worthwhile experience while contributing meaningfully to the community. We encourage participants to allocate these hours flexibly, accommodating their schedules to make the most of their volunteering experience.

  • We request that these take several steps be taken to risk assess volunteering opportunities for young people to ensure their safety and well-being:

    1. Identifying Hazards: first identify potential hazards associated with the volunteering activity, such as physical risks, emotional challenges, or environmental factors.
    2. Assessing Risks: Evaluate the likelihood and severity of these hazards occurring. This includes considering factors like the age and experience of the volunteers, the nature of the tasks involved, and the location of the activity.
    3. Implementing Control Measures: Based on the assessment, implement control measures to minimize risks. This may involve providing training and supervision, ensuring appropriate equipment and resources are available, and establishing clear guidelines and procedures.
    4. Monitoring and Reviewing: Continually monitor the volunteering activities to ensure that the control measures are effective. Also review the risk assessments periodically or after any incidents to make necessary adjustments and improvements.
    5. Communication and Training: Communicate risk information to volunteers and provide them with relevant training to empower them to recognize and respond to potential risks.

    By rigorously assessing and managing risks, create a safe and supportive environment where young people can engage in volunteering activities confidently and responsibly.

  • If something goes wrong during a volunteering opportunity for young people, have the following procedures in place to address and respond to the situation effectively:

    1. Immediate Response: There are designated individuals or teams trained to handle emergencies or incidents promptly. Who will assess the situation and provide immediate assistance or intervention as necessary.
    2. Reporting: Volunteers are encouraged to report any issues or concerns immediately to the designated contact person or supervisor. This ensures that you can respond swiftly and appropriately.
    3. Investigation: Conducts a thorough investigation to understand what went wrong and why. This may involve gathering information from witnesses, reviewing procedures, and assessing any contributing factors.
    4. Support: Support is provided to those affected, including volunteers, their families, and any other stakeholders involved. This may include emotional support, medical assistance, or practical help to address any consequences.
    5. Learning and Improvement: Following the incident, review policies, procedures, and risk assessments to prevent similar issues in the future. Lessons learned are used to strengthen safety measures and enhance the overall volunteer experience.

    By having clear protocols and a proactive approach to handling incidents, strive to ensure the safety and well-being of young volunteers while maintaining a supportive environment for their participation.

FAQ For Educators

  • Ensuring the safety and well-being of young volunteers is paramount. Here are the key safeguarding measures in place:

    Preventing Exploitation:

    • Implement strict measures to protect young volunteers from any form of exploitation.
    • Collaborate closely with organizations to ensure a safe and supportive environment.

    Healthy Relationships:

    • Establish a clear code of conduct for all volunteers and staff.
    • Inform young volunteers about who they can approach if they have any concerns.
    • Ensure that young volunteers are never left alone with adults unless the adults are members of staff who have been DBS approved, for the safety of our young people.

    Emotional Support:

    • Consider the emotional impact of volunteer activities and provide necessary support.
    • Acknowledge and accommodate pressures young volunteers may face, such as exam stress or family responsibilities.

    Health and Safety:

    • Provide comprehensive health and safety training to all young volunteers.
    • Ensure that volunteer activities are conducted in a safe environment with appropriate supervision.
    • Implement safety protocols, including emergency procedures and first aid support.

    Screening and Training:

    • Conduct thorough background checks on all staff and volunteers working with young people.
    • Provide training to ensure all participants understand safeguarding policies and procedures.

    Supervision and Monitoring:

    • Ensure adequate supervision during all volunteering activities.
    • Regularly monitor and review activities to maintain a safe environment.

    Communication:

    • Maintain open lines of communication between volunteers, parents, guardians, and staff.
    • Provide clear information about safeguarding policies and how to report any concerns.

    By implementing these safeguarding measures, organizations strive to create a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for young people to enjoy their volunteering experiences.

  • Volunteering is designed to complement, not conflict with, a young person's education and school commitments. Here’s how we ensure that volunteering has a positive impact without interfering with school time:

    Flexible Scheduling:

    • Volunteering placements are designed to be flexible. The required minimum of 15 hours can be spread out over a period that suits the young volunteer's schedule.
    • Hours can be arranged around school commitments, ensuring that volunteering activities do not clash with classes, homework, or exams.

    Enhanced Learning:

    • Volunteering provides practical, real-world experiences that can enhance a young person's education.
    • It offers opportunities to develop new skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving, which can be beneficial in academic settings.

    Supportive Environment:

    • Organisations understand the pressures young people face and are committed to supporting them. If a volunteer has exams or significant school responsibilities, adjustments can be made to their volunteering schedule.
    • Emotional support is available to help volunteers balance their commitments effectively.

    Educational Value:

    • Volunteering can reinforce academic concepts through practical application, providing a deeper understanding of subjects studied in school.
    • It also helps build a well-rounded resume, which can be advantageous for college applications and future career opportunities.

    By ensuring flexibility and providing support, volunteering is structured to be a valuable addition to a young person's educational journey, enhancing their learning without disrupting their school time.

  • Yes, volunteering can fit into programs like the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Welsh Baccalaureate. Here’s how:

    Duke of Edinburgh Award:

    • Volunteering Section: The Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award includes a volunteering section where participants commit to helping others. The minimum time requirement of 15 hours for our volunteering placements fits well within the DofE requirements for the bronze, silver, and gold levels.
    • Skill Development: Volunteering activities can help young people develop skills such as leadership, teamwork, and communication, which are valuable for the DofE Award.

    Welsh Baccalaureate (Welsh Bacc):

    • Community Challenge: The Welsh Baccalaureate includes a Community Challenge, which requires students to engage in activities that benefit their community. Our volunteering opportunities can fulfil this requirement by providing meaningful community service.
    • Individual Project: Volunteering experiences can also provide inspiration and material for the Individual Project component of the Welsh Bacc, allowing students to reflect on their experiences and the impact they’ve had.

    By participating in our volunteering placements, young people can not only contribute positively to their community but also fulfil key requirements for these prestigious programs, gaining recognition and enhancing their personal development.

  • Yes, home-educated young people can participate in our volunteering opportunities. Here’s how we ensure inclusivity and support for home-educated participants:

    Flexible Scheduling:

    • Home-educated young people often have more flexible schedules, allowing them to fit volunteering hours in at times that work best for them.
    • We can work with you to arrange a volunteering schedule that suits your educational routine and other commitments.

    Educational Value:

    • Volunteering offers practical, real-world experiences that can complement home education curricula.
    • It provides opportunities to develop valuable skills and gain experiences that can enhance a home-educated student’s learning journey.

    Social Interaction:

    • Volunteering allows home-educated young people to engage with peers and other community members, providing valuable social interaction and teamwork opportunities.

    Recognition and Programs:

    • Just like their school-attending peers, home-educated young people can use their volunteering experiences to fulfil requirements for programs like the Duke of Edinburgh Award and the Welsh Baccalaureate.

    By offering flexible and inclusive volunteering opportunities, we ensure that home-educated young people can participate fully and benefit from the rich experiences volunteering provides.