Volunteering Handbook by SpinalInjuriesScotland

VolunteeringHandbook

SpinalInjuriesScotlandsupportspeopleacrossScotlandfromallbackgroundstodevelopandusetheir valuableskills.Ourteamissupportedbyover70volunteerswhoareunitedinourmission.This informationisdesignedtogiveanoverviewofthevolunteeropportunitiesweofferandhowour volunteersplayavitalroleintheworkthatwedo.Hereyouwillfindinformationaboutyourinduction andtrainingprocess,importantpoliciesandprocedures,usefulcontactsandotheressentialinformation togetyoustartedonyourvolunteerjourneywithus.

WelcometoSpinalInjuriesScotland

DearVolunteer,

SpinalInjuriesScotland(SIS)isthenationalvoluntaryorganisationconcernedwithhelping newandlong-termspinalcordinjuredpeople,theirrelatives,andfriends,alongwiththose involvedinthemanagement,careandrehabilitationtoseethepossibilitiesoflivinglife beyondtheinjury.

OurCharitableaimis“theadvancementofhealth”.

Withover60yearsofexperience,wedeliveranationwide,membershipfocusedservice, whichisdeliveredthroughprogrammesandprojectsdesignedtomeettheneedsofour members.Havingaspinalcordinjury(SCI)isatraumaticandlifechangingevent.Theprocess ofrehabilitationcanbebothaphysicalandanemotionalchallenge.

Thechallengeswehavefacedoverthepastfewyearshaveseenusadaptanddevelopthe deliveryofourservicesbutwecanonlycontinuetogrowwiththesupportofourvolunteers.

Ourappreciationgoestoallourvolunteers,whetherneworlong-standing,fortheir continuingeffortsinsupportingpeoplelivingwithaspinalcordinjury.

WehopeyoufindthisVolunteeringHandbookusefulandthatitprovidesyouwiththeinsight andknowledgeyouwillneedtojoinus.

FromallatSpinalInjuriesScotland

WhatWeOffer

VolunteersarevitaltoSpinalInjuriesScotland(SIS).Volunteersare integratedintothestructureandoperationsofthecharityandcontribute stronglytowardsouraimsandobjectives.

OurVolunteerscomefromavarietyofbackgroundsandhavearangeof skills.Ouropportunitiesareflexible,youcangiveafewhoursorafewyears ofyourtime.Whateverwayyouchoosetogetinvolved,wecanguarantee youwillhaveanimpactonourworkandthelivesofourmembers.

OurVision

‘Actasanagentofpositivechangeforallspinal cordinjuredpeople’

OurMission

Ourmissionstatementspecifiestheareaswhere weaimtoimprovetheenvironmentwithandfor peoplewithspinalcordinjury:

“Backingyouforlife,removingbarriersand promotingequalityofchoice,control,dignityand freedomforourSCIcommunityinallareasoflifein allpartsofScotland”.

OurValues

Wewilluseourenthusiasm,energyand resourcestoencourageourmembersto concentrateonthefutureandsupportthem toachievetheirgoals.

Wearecommittedtotacklingexclusionby promotingunderstandingandinclusionon behalfofourmembers.

Wewillpromoterespectandintegrityforour membersthroughourplans,wordsand actions.

VolunteeringRoleswithSpinalInjuriesScotland(SIS)

Thereareseveraldifferentwaysinwhichyoucancontributeasavolunteer toourcharity.OurRolescanbebestdescribedasPeerSupportVolunteer, SocialVolunteeroraFundraisingHero.

Ifyoustruggletogetout,youcouldvolunteerfromhome;maybeholdan afternoonteapartyorcoffeemorningwithyourfriends.Everybodylovesa pieceofcake,andournationisfamousforelevensesandafternoontea.Get quizzical.Hostanonlinequizandinviteparticipantstodonateormaybe haveavirtualbingonight!

Manyofourvolunteerscarryoutmorethanoneroleinanygivenyearbut youarefreetochoosetheone(s)whichbestmeetyourneeds,skills,and availability.CertainrolesrequirePVG(knownasDisclosure/PoliceCheck).

“Afterbreakingmyneck,Ispent15monthsinthespinalunit.Duringthattimethepeer supportvolunteersfromSpinalInjuriesScotlandhelpedmyselfandmyfamilycometoterms withhowlifewasgoingtochangeforusall.IwantedtovolunteeranddowhateverIcouldto offerthatsupporttoothersinthesamesituation.

I’velovedmytimeprovidingpeersupportasitgivesmeasenseofpurposewhilepayingback someofthehelpthatwassoappreciatedwhenIwasrecovering.Spendingtimetalkingto patientsaftertheyhavehadaspinalinjuryhashelpedtorebuildmyconfidenceandIfind talkingaboutmyownexperienceisagreatwayformetocontinuelivingthebestlifeIcan”.

Steven,IrvineC2/C3Complete

Herearequotesfromsomeofourcurrentvolunteers onwhytheydecidedtogetinvolved:

“AftermyinjuryIhadalotofquestionsforSISvolunteersthat wouldcometothespinalunit.Therewasn’tanaspectoflivingwith aspinalcordinjuryyoucouldn’tquizthemonorjusthaveawee ventto.SowhenIwasaskedtobeavolunteeritwasadefiniteyes, Ithoughtitwasaprettygoodwaytopaybackthekindnessand conversationthatwasshowntome.

Volunteeringgavemeaboosttofurthermyskills&networkwith others.I’vemetsomeincrediblepeople&madesomelonglasting friendshipsalongthewaysofar.”

Keira,Dunoon,L2/L3,Complete

“IhadacaraccidentwhenIwas16andIspentanumberofyears notreallyknowingwhatIwantedtodowithmylife.

Iwentontocollegeandfurthereducation,thenIwasaskedabout volunteeringwithSIS.ItbroughtasenseofpurposeIdidn’tknowI wasmissing.Ithenhadanopportunitytobecomeamemberofstaff andIhaven’tlookedbacksince.Ihonestlyfeelitwasthemakingof me.”

Laura,GlasgowT6/7Complete

PeerSupportVolunteer

OurPeerSupportVolunteersallhaveaSCIandareinspiring, livingtheirlivestothefull,providingcriticalsupportfor peoplewhohavesustainedacatastrophicspinalcordinjury. IntheNationalSpinalUnitthisone-to-onepeersupportis crucialtothepatientsonthewardtosupporttheirfamilies andfriendstohelpcometotermswithalifechanginginjury. Aswellastakingpartinrehabilitationandeducational sessionswealsoofferassistivetechnologysupport.

ThisserviceisprimarilybasedattheQueenElizabethNational SpinalInjuriesUnit(QENSIU),buttherearealsooutpatient clinicsinInverness,Aberdeen,Arbroath,Huntly,Glasgow, Dumfries&Galloway,andtheBorders.

Asanextensionoftheseservices,weoffer1-2-1sessionsand supporttomembersintheirlocalcommunitiesafter discharge.Thesehelpthemtogainconfidenceimprovetheir abilitytoovercomephysicalbarriersintheirareaandsupport thosewhomayhavebecomeisolatedduetolackof confidence.

Weofferfulltrainingtovolunteersbeforeandduring induction.Theywillbeencouragedtoattendothereventsas partoftheirtraining.Therearevariousvolunteering opportunitiesthroughoutScotland,andyouwillhavethe opportunitytotakepartinfocusgroupssharingpersonal experiencesoflivingwithaSpinalCordInjury.

Social Volunteer

We rely on volunteers from different locations across Scotland to attend our events whether you have a spinal cord injury or not, to engage in conversation and share stories and information as well as practical and physical support for those that need it. We believe peer support can take place at any time whether it be at a coffee meeting or at other activities in an inviting and relaxing environment. At the coffee meets we also incorporate activities to allow people to try something new, perhaps take up a new sport or hobby or simply relax, watch, and be entertained from the side-lines whilst enjoying some refreshments and snacks. Our social media and website is updated regularly with more details.

We have a fun, fantastic and inclusive water sports programme available to our members free of charge with dates available throughout the year as well as our annual summer BBQ all held at Castle Semple in Lochwinnoch. Our members, as well as the SIS team of staff and volunteers all attend this fun filled day making use of the hand bikes, sail boats, kayaks and even an accessible power boat for the thrill seekers.

FundraisingHeroes

SpinalInjuriesScotlandisanon-profitorganisationandthecontinuedsupport fromourvolunteers,andtheirsuccessfromfundraisingevents,allowsusto providevitalservicestoourmemberswithspinalcordinjuriesthroughout Scotland.

Herearesomephotosofvolunteeringopportunitieswehave.

“Beingavolunteerallowedmetogivebacktomycommunityand makeapositivedifferenceinthelivesofothers.It'strulyfulfillingto bepartofsuchasupportivenetworkandtowitnessthe transformationandgrowththatoccurswhenpeoplecome togethertohelponeanother.

Asavolunteer,Ifeelprivilegedtocontributemytimeandskillsto meaningfulcauses,andI'mgratefulfortheopportunitytobe inspiredbytheincredibleindividualsImeetalongtheway.”

Sharon,Volunteer,Glasgow

GettingStarted

Welcometotheteam!Wewanttomakesure youhaveeverythingyouneedtogetstarted, weprovideyouwithaninductionand continualaccesstousefulmaterialsand information.Yourstaffcontactwillusuallybe theCoordinator,orthestaffmemberwho managestheareaofworkinwhichyou currentlyvolunteerfor.

Recruitment

SISwelcomesandrespectsthebreadthof experience,skills,dedicationandgoodwillthat volunteersbring.Wehaveafewdifferent typesofvolunteeringroleswithinthecharity andwewillrequireyoutocompletea volunteerapplicationformandmeetwiththe OperationsManagerforaninformalinterview toensurethatyouaresuitablefortherolein question.Wewillbaseourselectiononthe abilityofeachapplicanttofulfiltherole, consideringanyeffectvolunteersmayhaveon thesafetyofallpartiesandourcharity’s reputation.OurvolunteerswillcompleteaPVG (formerlyknownasaDisclosure/PoliceCheck), referencecheckandattendbespoketraining priortocommencingtheirrolewithSIS. VolunteerswillsignaVolunteerAgreementon completionofalltrainingandaftermeetingthe requiredPVGandreferencechecks.

EqualOpportunitiesandDiversity

Youwillbevolunteeringinanorganisationthat iscommittedtoequalopportunitiesand diversity.Thiscommitmentisreflectedthrough thecharity’spoliciesandpractices.

ResponsibilitiesandExpectations

Wewantyoutoenjoyvolunteeringwithusand wetakeourresponsibilitiestowardyouvery seriously.AsaSISvolunteer,youwillalsobea representativeofthecharityandassuchwe askyoutoactappropriately.

Age

Inmostcasesyouwillneedtobeover16years ofagetovolunteerindependently.Under18’s willbeaskedforparentalconsentandwedo nothaveanupperagelimitforvolunteers. Theremaybesituationsthatrequireustoask someonetostopvolunteering,forexampleif healthissuesareconsideredarisktothe personconcernedorothersaroundthem.

Expenses

Volunteersmayrequestreimbursementof reasonableoutofpocketexpenses,suchas travelcostsandrefreshment.Ifdevotingafull daytothecharity,asandwichlunchor equivalentmaybeprovided.Paymentof reasonableexpensesmustbeauthorisedby yourCoordinatorinadvanceandreceiptsor ticketswillberequiredattheendofthe month.AllexpenseswillbepaidbyBACS transferbyourfinancedepartmentatthe beginningofeachmonthfortheprevious monthunlessunder£10whichwillbepaidby yourCoordinator.

TrainingandDevelopment

Youwillhaveaccesstotrainingand informationtohelpyousuccessfullycarryout yourvolunteeringrole.Youwillbeofferedan appropriateinduction,includinginformation aboutthevolunteeringenvironmentandany equipmentyoumaybeusinginyourrole.Ifyou choosetotakeonanadditionaloralternate roleoractivityasavolunteer,yourVolunteer Coordinatorwillbehappytohelpyouwidenor developyourskillsandknowledgeaccordingly.

UsingYourOwnVehicle

SISdoesnotprovidemotorinsuranceforyou asavolunteer.Werecommendthatyoucheck withyourinsurer,butthereshouldnotbeany additionalcost.Ifwehaveagreedtoreimburse yourexpensesfortravellinginyourown vehicle,weusethegovernmentstandard mileagerate,whichincludesanallowancefor insuranceaswellasfuel,maintenance,tax,etc.

ResolvingConcerns

Ifyouhaveanyproblemsorcomplaintsabout yourvolunteering,pleasetalktoyourPeer SupportLeadimmediately.

Thecharitytakestheconcernsofthe volunteersveryseriouslyandwillmakeevery reasonableefforttoresolveanydifficulties.

SpinalInjuriesScotland’sResponsibilities:

Toofferequalopportunitiestoeveryonewhowantsto volunteer

Tomatchyourskillsandexperienceswiththerightrolefor youwhereverpossible,listeningtoyourmotivationsand aspirations

Toofferappropriatetrainingandsupportforyourrole

Tocelebratesuccessandrecogniseloyaltyanddedication encouragingtwo-waycommunication

Torespectallourvolunteersandlistentowhatyouhaveto say

Toreimburseagreedoutofpocketexpenses

Tomakenecessaryarrangementstoensureyourhealth, safetyandwelfareasavolunteer

Toencourageapositiveandfriendlyatmosphere

Toprovideaccesstotrainedmembersofstaff,tosupport, guideandadviseyou

Toaimforhighstandardsofefficiency,reliabilityandquality inyourvolunteering

Toworkinpartnershipwithothervolunteers,staffandthe generalpublic

Ourexpectationsofyouasavolunteer

Toaimforhighstandardsofefficiency,reliabilityand qualityinyourvolunteering

Toworkinpartnershipwithothervolunteers,staffand thegeneralpublic

Tosupport,respectandadheretoourorganisational policies,guidelinesandmanagementdecisions.Including allaspectsofequalopportunities,healthandsafety,data protectionandtheuseofourbrand.

ToalwaysconsiderandprotectSpinalInjuriesScotland’s goodreputationinyouractionsandconduct

Toactresponsiblyandwithinthelaw

Toletyourstaffcontactknowfirstifyouhaveany problemssothatwecanfindasolutiontogether

Toprovideinformationaboutthecharity’sresearchwork, policiesandprocedures

Toletyourstaffcontactknowiftherearechangesinyour personalcircumstancesthatmayaffectyourvolunteering

Tohavethebestpossibleexperiencebygettinginvolved andenjoyingyourvolunteering