Sample statement of support

The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust's volunteering policy states:

New and existing volunteers need to know what is expected of them, to whom they are accountable, and who is responsible for supporting them. Support for volunteers should take place on both a personal and practical level, including the:

• Opportunity for contact and discussion with a volunteers' co-ordinator.
• Provision of necessary tools and equipment.
• Keeping of an accurate database of volunteers' records.
• Encouragement of volunteers to claim out-of-pocket expenses.
• Ensuring that volunteers are aware of health and safety procedures and requirements.
• Regularly thanking volunteers and seeking opportunities to provide encouragement and feedback.
• Giving volunteers the opportunity for periodic reviews to consider their options to reduce or develop their current commitment to the work of the trust, to identify future development or training requirements, and to comment upon any support, training and supervision they are currently receiving.
• Provision of insurance cover as appropriate.
• Acceptance that different volunteers are able to offer different levels of time commitment, and that this may change for individual volunteers from time to time.
• Supporting volunteers in their decisions to say 'no' when necessary, and encouraging others to take on more challenging roles when they are willing and ready to do so.

Find out more about other volunteer issues and examples in the In more depth section.