Volunteers Area

There are a few things you need to know about volunteering with us and this page should provide you with all the information you need. If you have any questions or need more detailed information, please speak with your Team RAD contact who will be happy to help.

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Take a look at Who We Are to read our vision, mission and values.

Our behaviours

• Take ownership of their own work, behaviours and actions
• Treat people with dignity and respect
• Be proactive and prepared to take considered risks
• Be a team player; sharing information for the benefit of our organisation and the services we deliver
• Take a non-judgemental approach – not blaming or assumption making
• Believe in continuous improvement, receptive to change and willing to learn from mistakes
• Take a positive attitude towards work, colleagues and the organisational vision
• Protect the health, safety and wellbeing of myself and others
• Be responsible for the management of the charity’s resources

What you can expect from us

We want our volunteers to enjoy being part of our team and to get the most out of their involvement. As our commitment to our volunteers, we will:

• Allocate a RAD team member as your key contact
• Provide clear information about your role, the organisation and assignments
• Listen to you
• Always treat you with respect, consideration and appreciation; your contribution is important to us
• Provide information about the training and support available to you
• Match you to suitable volunteer opportunities/assignments
• Offer peer/group/1:1 support
• Give fair, honest and timely feedback
• Update you on how your contribution has made a difference
• Offer a buddy system (depending on the role)
• Celebrate successes with you

What we expect from you

We really value your ideas, contribution, commitment and enthusiasm. We expect high standards from all our paid staff and volunteers.

To ensure you get the most out of your role, we would ask you to:

• Make a commitment to our values and behaviours
• Be reliable
• Provide us with as much notice as possible of you are unable to fulfil a volunteering commitment
• Let us know the details of your holiday plans
• Tell us if your circumstances change or if you no longer wish to volunteer
• Be honest – your feedback is invaluable
• Honour your commitments
• Report any concerns

Above all else – enjoy your volunteering

Acknowledging your contribution

We really appreciate the hard work and commitment of all of our volunteers and we acknowledge this in a number of ways:

• A thank-you from the Chair of Trustees and CEO in the Annual Review
• Highlighting the work of our volunteers on social media
• Holding a social event during volunteers’ week
• Providing a written reference upon request
• Saying thank you
• Peer, group or 1:1 supervision sessions, for those supporting the delivery of our services
• Celebrating successes
• Inviting you to team events/meetings, where possible

How we will support you

Induction

Your Team RAD contact will introduce you to your colleagues. They will discuss RAD policies and procedures, health and safety requirements and explain safeguarding policy and procedures.

We hold induction days throughout year for new staff and volunteers, usually in Colchester, Essex and you will be invited to attend.

New staff at RAD undergo a six-month probationary period to ensure suitability to their role – it is important that both parties are happy. Similarly, if you volunteer with RAD, we recommend a short settling-in period, to see if volunteering suits you. (Settling-in periods will vary depending upon the regularity of your volunteering.)

Training

We want to ensure that you feel happy and confident in your role. You will receive training that is relevant to your volunteer role and your team-RAD contact will always be available to provide support and guidance in relation to training and development.

Ongoing support

Your team-RAD contact will schedule discussions with you to see how you are getting on. These may be by Skype, Facetime, phone, in person or through peer/group sessions.

Dealing with difficulties and complaints

If you encounter a difficulty with any aspect of your volunteering, please talk with your team-RAD contact as soon as possible for support and advice.

We have a formal complaints procedure to ensure that we manage all complaints appropriately. If you wish to make a complaint or you receive a complaint from someone about anything to do with RAD’s work, please let your team-RAD contact know as soon as possible.

Although dealing with difficulties or complaints can be difficult, it can provide an opportunity to improve the way we do things.

How you can help with fundraising?

• Play the Essex Lottery: 50p from every ticket in support of RAD comes to us. Sign up at https://www.essexlottery.co.uk/support/the-royal-association-for-deaf-people
• Sign up for Easyfundraising: This is a portal through which you can do your shopping with many online retailers. It doesn’t cost you anything and every time you make a qualifying purchase through a retailer, money gets donated to RAD! Sign up at https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/royaldeaf/
• Take on a challenge: The fundraising team has access to lots of challenges, from skydives to running. If you’re interested in taking on a personal challenge and raising sponsorship for RAD, take a look at our challenges page.
• Getting businesses involved: Do you or your friends/family have any links with businesses that undertake charity fundraising? If you know a business that regularly supports charities or has initiatives like ‘charity of the year’ partnerships, please let the fundraising team know by emailing fundraising@royaldeaf.org.uk
• Be an ambassador: We are often looking for people who can talk confidently to community groups/schools about our work. Full training would be given. Please contact the fundraising team by emailing fundraising@royaldeaf.org.uk for more information.

How you can help promote RAD’s work

We have a presence on a number of social media channels. Connecting with us on these networks is the best way to find out what we are doing across RAD.

It sounds really simple but by sharing our messages on your social media profiles, you can help us make a real difference and support our vision, ‘Together with Deaf people, creating a better, more accessible future’.