What could volunteers do?
You tell us! The volunteer’s job description depends largely on you, the placement. There is clearly a lot that a committed and enthusiastic young person can offer an organisation but exactly how their working week and long-term role shapes up depends on you, on the nature of the project and the talents of the volunteer. TF2012 volunteers will work for 35-40 hours a week for 12 months. It is absolutely fine if the volunteer's role is somewhat mixed. For example they could get involved in both ongoing programmes as well as helping to plan and organise new projects. For more ideas of what kinds of role and activities a volunteer could do see 'placement descriptions' under our volunteer section.
What's a TF2012 volunteer?
TFG volunteers come from a variety of backgrounds, denominationally, culturally and economically. They are usually aged 18-30 and have many different reasons for wanting to serve: some are taking time out before, during or after higher education; some are pursuing a particular calling; some are looking to explore their options before choosing a vocation to follow. TFG does not require its volunteers to have any specific qualification, and the opportunity to serve God in this way is open to everyone. Many placements, however, have specific requirements of their volunteers. They might require a particular theology, experience relevant to the project, or simply have a preference about the age or sex of the volunteer. Let us know what you're thinking.
How do we know whether hosting volunteers is right for us?
The way to prepare for having a volunteer is to begin: a) defining a role by working on a clear a job description, as you would for any other member of your staff team, and b) envisaging the kind of person you would ideally want to fill it.
The placement's management and support of the volunteer must be considered. You will need to appoint a member of staff to be the volunteer’s supervisor who will meet regularly with the volunteer to discuss the work, review and plan ahead. TFG runs New Supervisors Training Days which help in preparing properly for the supervision relationship; placements agree to send supervisors to one of these. In addition, placements are asked to think about the volunteer's support outside the workplace, and to appoint a ‘TFG Friend’ who provides pastoral care in addition to supervision.
You must decide where your volunteer will live; it could be private accommodation within the placement, with a local host family (for host guidelines see below) or perhaps in a shared flat or hostel. It will need to be approved by TFG, and we ask that each volunteer has their own room.
The financial aspects need consideration, too. Placements pay TFG a £50 application fee, then a monthly contribution of £200 once a volunteer is serving (out of which we pay the volunteer a living allowance). This works out to just over £7 a day! Placements also provide accommodation, all meals (or a food allowance), any tools and training necessary for them to do the job, employer's liability insurance to cover their work, and all out-of-pocket expenses. See the placement agreement on the Placement Application Form for further details. If you are interested in hosting a volunteer but the placement fee is a hinderance we would encourage you to get in touch with us and explore alternate routes of funding. Many churches and community projects are well positioned to apply for public and private funding.
TFG is about helping young adults to explore themselves and their faith as well as the new environment in which they’re volunteering. Contact with a helpful local church or other appropriate group must be available to each volunteer for fellowship and friendship, in addition to any spiritual development work which a placement is willing and able to do with the volunteer.
TFG will discuss all this with you in detail if you wish to proceed with having a volunteer. We have a great deal of experience in this field and will help you sort out any queries or difficulties.