25 April 2024

Thank you to all of you who took part in this conversation. There were some great questions and interesting ideas shared. Here are the highlights:

Defining what is a ‘Specialist role’ and is it the right term to use?

All volunteers are special people no matter what role they are taking part in. However, it was recognised that there are bespoke roles that require specific training, qualifications and a level of experience that not everyone will have or is able to do. In some cases, staff might need to be more involved in supporting and training for that role.

Examples of roles that some of you have in place or would like to have

Baby Clinic volunteers - Volunteers who work in their baby clinic weigh and measure babies under supervision. This role is mostly aimed at people who are looking for a career in health and care.

Weaning volunteers

Role description example

Health promotion volunteers

End of Life companions

Role description example

Therapy roles Reiki, Tai Chi, Reflexology

Recruitment for therapy roles

Work with trusted training providers and colleges where you feel confident in their training.

Contact your local CVS. Charities that may already have these services that you could run them as honorary contracts

Everyone’s favourite therapy – PETS!

Pets as Therapy and Therapy Dogs Nationwide.

Useful link to an agreement document regarding pet visits https://petsastherapy.org/images/uploads/documents/PAT_Visit_Agreement_PAT7.pdf

Insurance for volunteers coming in to do activities

As they are usually independent practitioners they should have their own insurance.

Volunteer counsellors.

The vast majority will be student volunteers who wish to complete their training hours at the end of a diploma. Some will enjoy volunteering so much that they often stay on after completing their courses.

Clinically lead roles – Role description example

For example: End of Life companionship. A challenging role which requires additional training and wellbeing support for the volunteer.

Language/translator volunteer

Peer support – Role description example

For example: A volunteer who supports volunteers with hidden disabilities.

Restraint debrief volunteer - Role description example

Community transition volunteer - Role description example

Recruitment

For activity roles Age Cymru deliver a physical activities programme and they train volunteers to deliver Tai Chi classes. They also train Nordic walkers who can go out to local groups. Age UK in your area may run a similar service

Social media has proved successful for some when advertising a specialist role.

Some Councils for Voluntary Services have a website where you can promote your voluntary roles for free.

When advertising specialist roles, take care with the wording and how it is presented. For example: The word ‘specialist’ may stop perfectly capable people from applying.

Retention

Extra training means extra cost. Manage expectations of the volunteers.

Train the trainer.

For example: Volunteer coordinators are trained to do the volunteer activities. Clinical areas need buy-in from staff and having a volunteer coordinator embedded within the team could work well.

For more examples of role descriptions please look at the Volunteer Role Library

If you have any role descriptions that you would be happy to add to this collection and share with colleagues, please contact us at: network@helpforce.community