Your role is co-produced with the Volunteer Manager, utilising and growing the skills you already have:

• Direct delivery of services

• Strategic, specialist, and senior business experience

• Board of management as Directors/CEO

• Community engagement to raise awareness

• One-off events and promotional activities

• Office or community venue support

• Structured monthly drop-in sessions

• Planning and preparing for meet-ups and events

• Using creative, physical, or specialist skills

• Creating videos, podcasts, and other online content

• Becoming a Lead Ambassador and ‘buddying up’ with other volunteers

• Evaluating SPW and projects

Volunteer Role: Ambassadors

Rôl Gwirfoddoli: Llysgennad

Volunteer Role: Youth Action Academy

Rôl Gwirfoddoli: Academi Gweithredu Ieuenctid

Volunteer Role: Champions 4 Change

Rôl Gwirfoddoli: Champion 4 Change

• A DBS check is needed for volunteers working directly with children without their parents present.

• Risk assessments determine if a DBS is required, which is competed by the Volunteer Manager.

• Volunteers waiting for a DBS must not work alone with children.

• DBS is not needed for peer-to-peer volunteering or if children are always with their parents.

• Good practice: Long-term volunteers should complete a DBS check.

Volunteers receive training tailored to their role, including:

Online Peer-Led Approach Training, You will get access to our online Peer Led Approach online training, which includes:

• The benefits of Peer Lead and what it actually means

• Peer Lead ethos

• Boundaries

• Risk Assessments

• Group Contracts

• Diversity and Inclusion

• Safeguarding

• Mental Health and Being a Peer Lead

Ongoing development, including Lunch & Learns, external training, and tailored sessions.

SPW offers flexible check-ins, including:

• Phone, text, or voice notes

• Video calls (Google Meet)

• Monthly group meetings

• Social events

• One-to-one check-ins (online or in person)

Yes. Volunteers are covered while working within their agreed role. SPW’s insurance includes:

• Protection for volunteers while volunteering

• Cover for loss, damage, or injury to others caused by volunteering activities

SPW reimburses reasonable expenses, including:

• Travel expenses (bus, bike, mileage, taxi under certain conditions)

• Event-related costs (e.g., refreshments for a book club, up to £50, and confirmed by Volunteer Manager)

• Advance payments available if costs are a barrier to volunteering

• Volunteers must complete an expense claim form for reimbursement.

Volunteer Expenses Form

We have an Ambassador Appreciation Scheme that has been coproduced with volunteers. Take a look here.

No, volunteering is encouraged and does not affect eligibility for benefits if you meet their conditions.

• PIP & ESA: No limit on volunteering hours, but notify Jobcentre Plus.

• JSA: Allowed, but you must still be available for job-seeking.

For detailed guidance, visit the official UK Government page on Volunteering and Claiming Benefits.

At SPW, we prioritise a safe and respectful environment for all. By following these guidelines, we create a supportive and secure community for everyone.

Safe Space

• Makes it clear that SPW isn’t a dating agency

• Members shouldn’t be made to feel pressurised into sharing their details, including online

• Members don’t feel pressurised to meet up with others outside of the activities of SPW

• Always make your Manager aware of any actual or potential conflicts of interest and agree with them how these should be managed. 


• Ensure you are not open to (or perceived to be open to) improper influence through the acceptance of gifts or hospitality. 


• Avoid the perception that we condone bribery by offering or accepting gifts

• Be responsible and scrupulous in the proper use of Company information, funds, equipment and facilities.

Confidentuality

• Named person that members, staff and volunteers can raise any concerns with, and debrief with around anything that comes up 

• Being in contact with relevant organisations that can provide additional support, including utilising SPW resources [age for sign posting

• Ensure that you don’t use any knowledge or information acquired through your role to inappropriately benefit yourself or others.


• Clearly communicate about confidentiality and the need to pass on any safeguarding information to the person making a disclosure

• Avoid passing on any disclosures to other SPW members or volunteers. 

• Make sure that you don’t engage in ‘gossip’ as a volunteer or staff member, and that you respectfully shut down any conversations around this.

Events 

• Clear direction that children remain the responsibility of their own parent in all activities

• Complete relevant risk assessments, and be aware of all health and safety information for the venue 

• Utilise tick lists and Manager/ Safeguarding Lead for any questions or concerns.

• Open and honest conversations and debriefs around safeguarding concerns or any issues

• Consider if member of staff or an extra volunteer needs to be present for events

• Manage conflict in a restorative approach way

Risks

• Responsible for understanding and following all safety guidelines, 

• reporting hazards

• using with risk management protocols.

Safeguarding

• Be familiar with safeguarding policies and procedures.

• Understand signs of abuse and neglect.

• Report/ discuss concerns to the Safeguarding Lead promptly or Vol Manager 

• Engage in safeguarding training.

• Complete DBS checks, where necessary

• Follow safeguarding procedures during all SPW activities.

• Utilise the Safeguarding Lead to debrief with and raise any concerns

• Smoking & Vaping: Only permitted in designated areas.

• Drugs & Alcohol:

  • No drugs at events—this becomes a safeguarding issue.

  • Volunteers should remain professional and sober during activities.

  • Alcohol may be consumed in moderation at social gatherings but not during volunteering duties.

• Misconduct: If a volunteer is suspected of being under the influence while volunteering, they may be suspended immediately.

After speaking to your Volunteer Manager, submit your idea via the Event Ideas & Listing Form.

Events Ideas and Listing Form

A debrief document for volunteers to reflect on events, provide feedback, and help improve our services.

Why use Field Notes?

• Improve services – Identify what works and what needs adjusting.

• Volunteer reflection – Process experiences and impact.

• Safeguarding & evaluation – Ensure safe, effective support.

Link to Field Notes

• Adult-only groups: No ratio requirements, but two volunteers are preferred.

• Youth groups (13-18): 1 adult per 10 young people (minimum 2 DBS-checked adults present).

• Children (9-12): 1 adult per 8 young people (minimum 2 DBS-checked adults).

• Inclusive Planning: Risk assessments should involve young people, parents, and carers where possible.

• Volunteers must not take or share event photos without consent.

• Social media activity must align with SPW’s values and be approved by comms.

• Volunteers should not create SPW social media accounts or represent SPW without authorisation.

• Media Consent Forms must be completed before sharing photos.

• Press Inquiries: Direct any journalist inquiries to Amy Holland.

Access Media consent form here

All risk assessments and incident reports are stored by the Volunteer Coordinator and must be:

• Updated annually or when activity changes.

• Completed before events and activities.

• Accessible for all volunteers.
  

Events Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment for Outdoor Meet Ups

Online incidents or near misses form

Even at peer events, a lone volunteer is considered lone working. To reduce risks:

• Where possible, two volunteers should lead activities.

• Complete a risk assessment before the event.

• Be aware of the venue’s incident reporting process.

• Keep VEM (Volunteer Event Manager) on-call for issues.

• Field notes should be completed after the event.

• Check-in with VEM after the event for safety.

• Ensure VEM has emergency contact details.

Speak to your Volunteer Manager and refer to the Safeguarding section in the Volunteer Hub. A flowchart is available to guide next steps.

A conflict of interest occurs when personal interests, relationships, or associations (including those of family) could influence your work with SPW.

• This includes financial ties, personal connections, past involvement, or shared affiliations.

• If unsure, speak to your Volunteer Manager.

SPW aims to treat all volunteers fairly and consistently. Issues will be addressed informally and promptly, with a named person available for support. We use a restorative approach to get voices heard and reach a resolution. SPW aims to clarify issues and problem solve in coproduction with volunteers.

Whilst the involvement of volunteers is usually a positive experience for all concerned, sometimes things can go wrong within any volunteer programme.

The Volunteer Complaints Policy will be followed if informal resolution is not possible. The Volunteer Manager, Office Admin Support or Development Manager on Thrive can all be contacted for comments or concerns.

• Report all incidents using the Accident or Near Miss Form.

• Risk assessments must be completed and updated regularly.

• Volunteers must follow safety protocols and report hazards.

Accident or near miss form