Thinking about volunteering? Listed below are a selection of volunteer vacancies together with other essential information about volunteering.

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Latest Vacancies Listed below is a selection of current opportunities for volunteering.  SPORTS MAKERS is an official London 2012 legacy programme running throughout England.  It aims to encourage people-you the Sport Maker-to help make sport happen on the ground, by doing whatever interests you as long as it gets people active.  The Surrey Golf Parnership are providing added value by offering you the opportunity to volunteer at the BMW PGA Championships, Wentworth Club, from 21st - 27th May 2012.  You must sign up at www.sportsmakers.co.uk, through Surrey by Wednesday 1st February, book yourself onto the free workshop happening on Monday 13th Feburary-using the code: Golf and attend the workshop to find out further information. SURREY APPROPRIATE ADULT VOLUNTEER SERVICE (SAAVS) support vulnerable people whilst in police detention, explaining procedures and checking to ensure their rights and entitlements have been properly exercised. This interesting and demanding role is important for criminal justice.  Time commitment will be a minimum of one six hour slot per week.  Essential training is provided and they ask that their volunteers have a confident personality, mature outlook and a willing to raise relevant issues with the police, and ideally to have own transport but this is not essential. They are holding their next induction day for new recruits on 4th Feburary. ENERGY SURVEY TRAINING FOR 18-24YR OLDS LEADING TO £200 OF SHOPPING VOUCHERS.  Raven Housing Trust is currently looking for 20 young people aged 18-24 to be trained to carry out energy surveys in Raven neighbourhoods. Completion of the training course and a minimum of 10 energy surveys will lead to a reward of £200 of shopping vouchers, with additional vouchers on offer for extra surveys. About the training: As part of this project, you have the opportunity to be trained as an energy or renewables surveyor at a (3 day, 2 nights) residential training course at Trafford Hall www.traffordhall.co.uk in Chester from Sunday 12th to Wednesday 15th February. Your accommodation, transport and meals will be provided. The training by Sustainable Communities and CAT (Centre for Alternative Technology) will provide a good basic training in energy efficiency and renewable technologies that could lead to further opportunities of training and employment. The government will be launching the Green Deal, a UK wide based initiative to upgrade homes with energy efficiency and renewable measures. Trained surveyors will be required to deliver home surveys and therefore a background in this type of surveying may lead to work with companies delivering this service. In addition the training could lead to more specific training opportunities such as energy performance certificates that are a legal requirement for housing associations.  About the energy surveys: The surveys will provide an overview of how improvements can be made to increase the energy efficiency of the home alongside tips and advice on how to reduce energy use in the home. The renewables surveys will identify those homes that may be suitable for renewable systems to help reduce the energy use in the home and is a starting point for residents to investigate further if a renewable system would be suitable. Key dates: *Monday 6th February - all applications must be received by 5pm *Thursday 9th and Friday 10th February - interviews *Sunday 12th to Wednesday 15th February - residential training course *22nd February - customer service training at Raven House (Redhill) *23rd February to 28th March - energy surveys to be carried out *Week commencing 2nd April - shopping vouchers paid Requirements: To get a place on this project, you will need: *To be aged 18-24. *Not to be in education, employment or training (but we will consider    applications not meeting this requirement if we do not fill all 20 spaces).  *To complete an application form and take part in an informal interview. *To be available for a 3 day residential training course (all transport,   accommodation and meals provided).  *To have excellent communication skills.  *The ability to travel around a Raven neighbourhood (approximate radius of 1    mile). *To have a keen interest in the environment and sustainable living. Date added: 31st January 2012

More Volunteering Opportunities . . .

For further information on these and other volunteering opportunities, click here or call us on 01737 762115.

Why Volunteer?
Our community depends on volunteers.  They encourage our young people, protect us as Special Constables and Magistrates, they counsel, drive and care for the sick, disabled or disadvantaged; but most of all, they enjoy themselves.

Some people are worried that volunteering may place too many demands on them.  
Being clear at the beginning what you want and how much time you want to spend, will ensure that you have an enjoyable and worthwhile experience.

Some of the most asked questions are: 

Why be a Volunteer? Benefits
You may want to - Meet new people - Increase your self-confidence -  Learn New Skills - Have fun!

Will I get paid?
Voluntary work is unpaid - it is your gift of time and energy - but sometimes the organisation may be able to pay expenses.

What interests me?
Volunteering is all about the individual and what they enjoy or interests them.  Think about whether you like working in a group or on your own? What age groups do you like working with? Is there anything you feel uncomfortable with?

What if I do not enjoy it?
You are in control and have a choice what you get involved in.  To avoid feeling disappointed, it would be better to spend a little time at the beginning making sure that everything suits you.   Nearly all organisations invite you for an informal chat and tour; this helps you understand what would be expected of you in the volunteer role.  Several organisations offer training so that you are not 'in at the deep end' when you start.

What if I work full-time?
This can eliminate some opportunities but there are organisations still needing people out of normal working hours.  Be realistic about how many hours a week you could help, do not over commit yourself.  Start with just a small amount of your time; you can always give more later. 

Have you registered with us?

   Click here to down load a volunteer registration form.

You can either e-mail it back to us or send it to us by post.

Guidance for Volunteers

Volunteer Centre Reigate & Banstead is here to provide information and advice to help you find the volunteering role that suits you best. Volunteering offers you the chance to learn new skills and develop your interests while putting your existing knowledge and experience to good use.

You may wish to consider your own motives for becoming a volunteer. Volunteering can provide fresh opportunities, valuable training, new friends, as well as the chance for personal development and enhancing your CV. Placements are available throughout the week and at various times, giving you the chance to fit volunteering into your existing schedule. Here are some suggestions about volunteering; we hope you find them helpful.

Insurance
Ask about insurance. For example, do they have public liability insurance? If you are driving on behalf of an Organisation, it is important to find out who is responsible for insurance cover.

Job Seekers
If you are actively seeking work, you will need to inform whoever is in charge and find out how quickly you can leave the project. Volunteering will not affect your benefits.

Confidentiality 
This is just as important in volunteering as in any paid work. Do not betray anything confidential you may get to know in the course of your volunteering.

Reliability 
If you cannot fulfill your commitments, either temporarily or for the foreseeable future, always inform the people with whom you are volunteering.

Remember, though voluntary, your contribution is valued and people are relying on you. It is better not to over commit yourself or make a promise you cannot keep. If you encounter difficulties always try to discuss them with whoever is in charge often these can be resolved. Don't just give up, you can always come and see us again.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Organisations using volunteers will be happy to answer the following: 

• What will be expected of you? 
  

• With whom will you liaise? 
  
• To whom will you be responsible? 
  
• Will you be volunteering alongside others? 
  
• Are they also volunteers? 
  
• Is there anything you should know about how you are expected to co-operate as a team? 
  
• How many hours are you expected to volunteer? 
  
• Do you need to commit yourself for a certain length of time? 
  
• Is there any training? 
  
• Where does this take place? 
  
• Are out of pocket expenses paid?

Volunteering gives you the opportunity to learn new skills, develop your interest, meet new friends and increase your self-confidence.  Volunteers are a vital resource for many organisations and your time and effort will be greatly appreciated.

Note:
Reigate & Banstead Voluntary Service do not take up references or undertake CRB Police checks.  This is left to the recruiting voluntary organisation.

Incorporated within the
Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service
Suite 3a, Victoria House, Brighton Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 6QZ
(Company Number; 07217319, Charity Number: 1138897)

(c) Reigate and Banstead Voluntary Service 2011