Volunteering - Yatton House Society

Be part of our team 🙂

Reasons for volunteering –

It improves employment prospects
It improves physical health
It helps you feel less isolated
It gives you new skills and experience
It gives you more confidence
It brings you into contact with people from different backgrounds…
It improves your mental health and wellbeing
It broadens your experience of life
You meet new people
You get a sense of personal achievement
It makes you feel you are making a difference

Activity Volunteer – Key Duties

Support staff with the delivery of activity sessions
Assist with the preparation of activity resources
Support members to achieve their personalised outcomes
Work with both individuals and groups to promote development
Participate in staff meetings and attend supervision
Undertake training to meet legal requirements and for own personal development
Escort members on the centre minibus
Ensure the health and safety of others
Help keep Yatton House clean and tidy
Promote public understanding of the services Yatton House delivers

Grounds Volunteer – Key Duties

To help maintain Yatton House grounds
To help maintain our Community Garden
To help maintain our Market Garden
To help support members and staff with horticulture
Undertake light maintenance
Participate in staff meetings and attend supervision
Undertake training to meet legal requirements and for own personal development
To support with our, enterprises including wreath making and plant sales
Ensure the health and safety of others
Promote public understanding of the services Yatton House delivers

Trustee Volunteer – Key Responsibilities

Uphold the values of Yatton House and share our vision
Ensure our commitment to our members
Comply with Yatton House code of conduct by behaving in a professional manner
Promote inclusion, equality, and diversity
Respond sensitively to our member’s needs, ensuring discretion and confidentiality
Keep within agreed objectives, goals, and business strategies
Observe all policies / procedures and agreed operating practices
Actively participate in promoting Yatton House Society
Help to strengthen our community links
Develop future strategies and business opportunities
Embed quality assurances throughout our operations

Questions and Answers

Will I need a DBS? – A DBS check is a Disclosure and Barring Service check and looks at whether you have a criminal record. DBS checks are free for volunteers. Not all volunteer roles need a DBS check. If your role means you need one, we will discuss it with you.
Do I need a lot of spare time? – No, some of our volunteering opportunities are for one-off events, some are for set amounts of time, but others are flexible. For regular volunteering we ask for at least 6 months commitment.
Will volunteering affect my benefits? – Volunteering should not affect your benefits, but we suggest you ask for advice from the Job Centre or your employment advisor.
Will I have to be interviewed? – If you’ll be volunteering directly alongside our members you will need an informal interview. For other roles, we may just need a chat about what you will be doing.
Will I need a reference for volunteering? – Yes, if you are working directly with our members, not if you are supporting at an event.
How long will it be from when I apply to when I begin? – We hope to have volunteers starting within 4 weeks of application, but sometimes DBS checks and references mean it can take longer. Anyone interested in volunteering can email us directly at manager@yattonhouse.org.uk or call into reception.
Will I get training as a volunteer? – Depending on your role, volunteers may be required to complete GDPR, Safeguarding and an Introduction to Volunteering. If extra training is required this will be discussed with you during supervision. For one-off volunteering you will be briefed before your event.

Next Steps

Please complete a Volunteering Application Form (A copy can also be collected from reception)
You will be invited in for a friendly chat / informal interview
If successful and working alongside our members we will contact your references and begin the DBS application.
You must tell us of any previous convictions, if you have a criminal record, we will make a decision about whether or not you can volunteer in the role.
If your DBS and references come back fine, we will invite you into service for an induction and to sign a Volunteer Agreement.