Volunteering Handbook UPDATED
Transcript of Volunteering Handbook UPDATED
VOLUNTEERINGHANDBOOK
Your guide to volunteering at theStudents' Union
UNIVERS ITY OF MANCHESTERSTUDENTS ' UNION
CONTENTS
Page 3 -------------------------- WelcomePage 4 ------------------- Meet the TeamPage 7 --------------------- Staff SupportPage 10 ------- SU Volunteering ProjectsPage 15 ----------- Fundraising at the SU Page 17 ---------------------- CommitteePage 18 ------------ Volunteering HoursPage 19 -------------- University AwardsPage 20 --------------------- DBS ChecksPage 22 ------------------------- TrainingPage 23 ------------------------ ExpensesPage 24 ---------------------- Questions?Page 25 --------------- Important PolicyPage 26 ------------------------ ChecklistPage 27 ----------------------- Key Dates
*Please note: Plain large text documents, paper copies and otheraccess requirements can be made available on request. Email: [email protected]
WELCOME TO YOURVOLUNTEERING
HANDBOOK!The volunteering and fundraising groups at
the SU take action to change the world aroundthem and we're really excited that you've
decided to get involved.
We hope you find this a useful introduction toyour project, but if you need help just email
our team [email protected] or come to
a Zoom drop-in session.Mondays & Wednesday, links here:
Monday Volunteering Drop-in (11 AM - 12PM) bit.ly/VFmon
Wednesday DBS Drop-in (2 - 3 PM)bit.ly/VFweds
All the best,
The Volunteering and Fundraising Team
MEET THE TEAM
Jennifer (she/her)Volunteering &
Fundraising ManagerAccess & Widening
Participation Coordinator
Volunteering &Fundraising Intern
Amy (she/her)
Elisabeth (she/her)
WellbeingCoordinator
Sumaiya (she/her)
MEET THE TEAM
Ethan (they/them) Marium (she/her)Access & WideningParticipation Admin
Assistant
Volunteering SupportAssistant
Student AngelsSupport Assistant
Orla (she/her)Fundraising Support
Assistant
Natalie (she/her)
MEET THE TEAM
Laura (she/her) Vicky (she/her)Peer Buddy Scheme
AssistantPeer Buddy Scheme
Assistant
Peer Buddy SchemeAssistant
Isabel (she/her)Peer Buddy Scheme
Assistant
Candy (she/her)
Lebby (she/her)Peer Buddy Scheme
Assistant
The V+F Team is here to help you and your projectmake the most of volunteering.
How we can help:
STAFF SUPPORT
DBS Checksfiguring out if you need one,
processing them, ID checks, overseaschecks
Tea and a Chatwelfare, how are you doing,
wellbeing Information
Queriesanswering questions
Shouting about your workpromotion of your events, getting the
word out, advertising
Dealing with angry peoplesupporting you with difficult
conversations
Reportingvolunteer hub, databases, progress
tracking
Help with financebudget planning, reimbursements,
creating your budget
Health and Safetyrisk assessments, training and other
related things
Electionsanswering questions and helping you
through democracy related stuff
Transportarranging coaches/taxis etc for your
project or event
Trainingensuring that you have all the
training you need to be the best youcan be
Ideaswe're here to help you think aboutnew ideas for your projects, events,
or your time volunteering
IT Supportreset passwords, help you if you're
locked out
Investing in youhelping you get the most out of your
time volunteering with the SU
VOLUNTEERING PROJECTS AT THE SU
Student Action groups work directly with localcommunities to address prominent issues
within Manchester:
Women's ProjectsOur two women's projects, the Burkhart project and the Direct Access project,supports women living in shelters and supported housing to cook meals and
run activity sessions for women with mental health issues.
Refugee & Asylum Seeker ProjectsOur Refugee and Asylum Seeker Conversation Club provides a safe and
supportive environment for sanctuary seekers to practice their English speakingskills through friendly conversation.
Accessibility ProjectsPeople with People connect young people with additional needs from acrossManchester with our volunteers with the aim of them enjoying fun, weekly
social activities together as a group of friends. Activities include arts & crafts,movie nights, meals out, zoo/aquarium trips and games evenings. This project
operates as both a Tuesday and a Wednesday group.
Children's ProjectsWillowbank project deliver fun and engaging sessions for children experiencinghomelessness in local temporary accommodation, sharing their knowledge and
skills with children living there.
Sustainability ProjectsBiko Bikes promotes cycling by refurbishing bikes to rent out to students for just £1 aweek and teaching bike maintenance skills. Their workshop can be found on the lower
ground floor of the Students' Union building. The Closet promotes sustainable fashion by holding vintage and sample clothing sales,
donating all profits to Manchester Mind. Incredible Edible is a community gardening project, transforming derelict land into
edible plots to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs for students and the local community.Want Not Waste is a student-run plastic-free shop, selling sustainable goods as well as hosting a
range of events such as such as clothes swaps, DIY/skill share workshops, and talks on livingsustainably. You can find their shop in its own building between the Students' Union and the
Academy building.
Homelessness ProjectsStudent Action’s homeless are part of the Coalition of Relief, which is a
group of organisations that have come together to help combat theproblems that homeless people face in Manchester. The Outreach projectaims to befriend and support rough sleepers in the city centre, providing a
hot drink and a chat. The Once a Month project aims to tackle periodpoverty by collaborating with local organisations to distribute sanitary
products to homeless women. Two of our projects, Stockport Food Projectand Strathclyde Women’s and Children’s Shelter Project collaborate with
occupants of temporary shelters to cook and share meals.
Our intergenerational projects invite elderly people from the local communityto parties and events, film afternoons, dance classes and trips throughout the
year. Due to COVID-19 a second scheme has been running since March2020, offering phone calls to elderly people during lockdowns for a nice chatand a catch up. The University of Manchester Buddy Scheme was set up in
response to COVID-19 and matches students with elderly people for chats inan effort to reduce loneliness.
Intergenerational Projects
The Student Angels is a night time street safety initiative whichsupports the Manchester community on nights out, providinganything from a chat and some water to first aid assistance.
In October 2020 we launched the Peer Buddy Scheme, where one
student can buddy up with another to offer some extra support,someone to talk to, or advice about their course and university life.Any student at the University of Manchester can become a buddy,although this role is particularly well-suited to those students in
their second year of study or above, who have more familiarity withthe University.
Wellbeing & Safety Projects
Access All Areas projects all have the sameaim - to improve access and widen
participation in education:
Primary School ProjectsBee a Baller run basketball training sessions in a local school, supportingthe progression of pupils at all levels of ability. Club MFL provides weekly
French and Spanish lessons to local primary school pupils. Code Club host aweekly after school club for pupils aged 7-11, teaching them the basics ofcoding using the programming language Scratch. FunFair hosts day-long
STEM workshop days for local primary school children before takingparticipants on a tour of campus. Medics in Primary Schools (MiPS) teach
weekly sessions on a range of topics such as Antibiotic Awareness to pupilsaged 8-11 years at local primary schools. Reading Mentors support pupils in
local primary schools (aged 5-11 years) with their reading. TraveLab is aproject that takes university students into local Manchester libraries to run
interactive, hands-on activities, to inspire, engage and create discussionwith the local public, particularly primary school-aged children. Think
Wildlife aims to build an ever-lasting interest in wildlife conservation inPrimary Students in order for them to prepare for it as a future career.Manchester Paediatric Dentistry Student Society (MPDSS) delivers oral
health education to primary school students in Manchester.
Secondary School ProjectsLIGHTSS run weekly workshops at schools and community centres tosupport GCSE students preparing for exams. Lunchtime Study Space
provides a relaxed environment for all students in years 10 and 11 to studyand receive drop-in tuition-free from teachers and parents.
Consider Postgrad is an annual event encouraging University ofManchester students to consider completing a postgraduate course. TheMMRSSoc Undergraduate Research Conference is an annual conference
for undergraduate medical students at the University of Manchester,offering opportunities to listen to renowned researchers present on theirarea of expertise, as well as attend workshops that are tailored to them.
Volunteers from the Society organise the conference, as well as hosting anessay competition for students.
Higher Education Projects
For more information about any of these projects check out the StudentAction website, the Access All Areas website, or the Volunteer Hub.
MedReach is an online mentoring programme for prospective Medicinestudents at local schools and sixth form colleges. Our ManchesterOutreach Medics (MOMs) host day-long workshops for sixth form
students on a range of topics including life as a Med student, medicalethics, communication skills, UKCAT and BMAT.
Further Education Projects
FUNDRAISING AT THE SU
RAG also run a variety of international challenges! Previous years included...
RAG works with local, national and international charitiesto spread awareness about current issues, whilst alsoproviding fun opportunities to raise money. RAG run a
variety of renowned Manchester based 'Home' Challengesincluding Jailbreak, BOGLE, Sleepout, Lost and the
Manchester Purple Wave.
Cycle from London to ParisMachu Picchu Salkantay Trek
Three Peaks ChallengeClimb Kilimanjaro
For more information about RAG, fundraising help, or RAGchallenges, check out the RAG website, the RAG Facebook
page, or email the V+F team.
RAG stands for Raise and Give and it is the Students'Union's fundraising branch. All of the fundraising thathappens in the Students' Union goes through RAG andthe V&F team also provides support and guidance to
student initiatives for their own fundraising.
FUNDRAISING GUIDANCE To ensure all fundraising undertaken by students issafe, legal and appropriate, the V&F team at the SU
are on hand to log and process fundraisers. Theyshould always be made aware about a fundraising
event, whether it's cash or online.
Cash FundraisingFor any fundraising event that includes cash donation collecting, collection
bucket hire forms can be filled out via the SU website. This form needs to befilled out before arriving to collect the buckets so that they can be preparedfor the date specified. Following a fundraising event, the buckets must bereturned to the SU with all the cash collected were it will then be counted
and processed. The SU will deposit the cash and send it to the chosencharity. Always check whether you require a permit for cash fundraising on a
given premise/in public.
Online Fundraising
Online fundraising is an easy and transparent way to direct donationsdirectly to a chosen charity/cause, without the issue of handling cash.Whilst the SU acts as a third party checker for cash fundraising, online
platforms such as JustGiving act as the third party, ensuring thefundraising is transparent and legal. The most popular online
fundraising platforms are JustGiving, Virgin Money Giving and GoFund Me. When using online fundraising platforms it is important toconsider that some may have a commission fee, but normally this is
outweighed by the benefits of Gift Aid.
Access All Areas Committee
Harriet RichardsonVice Chair
Farzan MustafaChair
Jakub ZemekTreasurer
Dhruti BalakrishnaDoddaballapur
Secretary
Zafirah HossainPrimary Schools Coordinator
Ammaarah TailorSecondary Schools
Coordinator
V&F COMMITTEES
RAG Committee
Molly DuganInternational Challenges Coordinator
Nida ZulfiqarChair
Chiamaka AoliefoSociety Fundraising Officer
Ana Cristina FreireEvents Coordinator
Jakub ZemekTargeting & Research
Coordinator
Lin Le Yi WinTraining coordinator
Ella AshtonMedical School Projects
Coordinator
Laura-Raluca PascaSocial & Wellbeing Coordinator
TBCVolunteer Coordinator
Alexandra-Maria RusRaids Officer
Chiamaka AnoliefoSponsorship & Corporate Liaison Officer
TBCSocial Media & Publicity Officer
Student Action CommitteeMaria Petraki
ChairShiying MaTreasurer
Tess HaytonSustainability Projects
Coordinator
Patricia Martes LebronIntergen Projects
Coordinator
Tessa DerkaczVice Chair
Victoria EdsonHomeless Projects
Coordinator
Rosa BeuzevalWomen's Projects
Coordinator
Leonor Almeida ResendeSecretary & Comms
Felix KwokTraining Coordinator
Olivia SchalkwykAccessibility Projects
Coordinator
Monika KyliotaityteChildren's Projects
Coordinator
Lucy OwenVice Chair
For your volunteering hours to be logged, you must be signed upto the project on Volunteer Hub. The Volunteer Hub is where all
volunteering opportunities are listed. It is also how the universitykeeps a track of how much time you have volunteered with a
project.
Your project leader is responsible for adding your hours toVolunteer Hub but you should keep track of you hours in case
there is an error. There is a ‘My Year in Volunteering’ calendar atthe back of this guide for you to record your hours.
The university volunteering team have created a video explaining
how you should add any independently sourced volunteeringhours:
VOLUNTEERING HOURS
Please note the video refers to 'additional volunteering hours' - this is the oldname for independently sourced hours
HOW DOES VOLUNTEERING COUNTTOWARDS THE UNIVERSITY AWARDS?
Stellify Award
Manchester Leadership Programme
All students wishing to achieve the Stellify Award mustundertake 25 hours of community-facing volunteering
to complete the 'Making a Difference' component.
Additionally, our project leaders and committeemembers qualify for Step Up & Lead. Your leadershiprole is tracked separately to your volunteering hours.
The Manchester Leadership Programme requiresstudents to complete 15, 25, or 40 hours of approvedvolunteering, which leads to a Bronze, Silver, or Gold
Manchester Leadership Programme.
Volunteering hours recorded onVolunteer Hub can be used to counttowards the Stellify Award and theManchester Leadership Programme.
DBS CHECKSFor some activities, you will need to get a DBS check
before you can volunteer. The Volunteer Hub will displaywhether the check is required for your role. DBS checksenable the Students’ Union to safely allow volunteers towork with children and vulnerable adults. The SU canprovide a DBS check for our projects free of charge.
Task Done?Complete survey (here) to
see if you need a DBS check
Read information about theDBS check process (here)
Get documents ready forchecking
Arrange an appointmentwith the V+F team
DBS DOCUMENTS
In order to get a DBS check, you will need to provide threeforms of ID, including a proof of address (details here). Ifyou have lived anywhere outside the UK for more than
three months at a time in the last five years, you will haveto provide some extra information (details here).
Examples of document combinations:
A bank statement (sent from their bank to their current address), apassport and a driving license.
A birth certificate, utility bill (in their name, sent to their currentaddress) and an EU National ID card.
A bank statement (printed out at the bank and stamped), a passportand a P45 statement.
A bank statement (printed out at the bank and stamped), a passport
and a BRP (biometric residence permit).
If you have any questions about the DBS documents, feelfree to email the V+F Team or attend our DBS drop-in:
Wednesdays 2pm-3pm on Zoom: bit.ly/VFweds
TRAININGWe’ll make sure that you’re prepared for your volunteering role. Forsome projects this means that you will have to attend an inductionand receive training from your leader, and in other cases further
training is needed. Your leader will make you aware of mandatorytraining. Links to common training can be found below:
Some projects offer additional training to further your development.Keep an eye out on your emails for updates regarding these.
Safeguarding Adults moduleAn overview of safeguarding policy for adults at the SU, how torecognise signs of abuse, and recording and reporting concerns.
Safeguarding Children moduleAn overview of safeguarding policy for children at the SU,
recognising signs of abuse, and how to record and report concerns.
Food Hygiene Level 2This training provides the learner with a Level 2 certificate in Food
Hygiene training (only necessary for projects handling food).
NSPCC Training This module covers safeguarding legislation in the UK and gives
more detailed knowledge on safeguarding concerns and reporting.It costs £25 which the student pays and the SU reimburses.
Unconscious Bias Training This module supports volunteers to consider their own bias, helpingus to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for all. Login
using your student details and click 'enrol'.
EXPENSESIf you find yourself buying something for your
project/event with your own money, theStudents'’ Union will make sure that you are paid
back out of the relevant budget.
In order for us to pay you back, you will need tofill in a payment request form (available here)
with your bank details, a description of what youbought and how much you spent, and a copy of
your receipts . We are unable to process paymentrequests without receipts.
Once we have received your payment request
form, we will process it and you should receivethe money back in your account on the following
Wednesday.
(The Students' Union is upgrading its internal systems and these policies aresubject to change. If this happens, we will update this guide and let you know.)
If you have any questions about the project thathaven’t been answered in this booklet, feel free to
send us an email [email protected]
Alternatively, come to a Zoom drop-in session
Monday Volunteering Drop-in (11 AM)bit.ly/VFmon
Wednesday DBS Drop-in (2 - 3 PM)bit.ly/VFweds
QUESTIONS?
IMPORTANT POLICYSafeguarding
The SU is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults thatparticipate in any University of Manchester Students’ Union activities. If you areconcerned about somebody’s safety or welfare, please report it to your project
leader at the earliest opportunity. Further information on the SU’s safeguardingpolicy can be found here.
AccessibilityThe SU is committed to making sure projects make reasonable adjustments toensure that projects are fully accessible. If you have any access requirements,
please let us know.
Zero toleranceAs a volunteer, your wellbeing and safety is of the utmost importance, and theSU has a zero-tolerance policy regarding harassment and discrimination. We
want to ensure that every volunteer feels comfortable in their role and is awareof our process to report any issues or concerns. If whilst volunteering, you aremade to feel uncomfortable, harassed, or are the subject of discrimination, weask that you safely remove yourself from the situation, and alert your project
leader. Please let the V&F team know as soon as possible, so that we can offersupport and make sure that you aren’t put in that position again. The staff V&F
team email is [email protected].
Further information on the SU’s policies can be found here.
GET READY TOVOLUNTEER
Task Done?Sign up on Volunteer
Hub
Chat with projectleader
Complete training
DBS check (ifapplicable)
First volunteeringsession
Keep track of hours incalendar
KEY DATESThese key dates will be updated throughout the year asthey are confirmed. Remember to keep checking back
to see what's on at the SU!
September
13 September - 15 September (TBC)Student Leaders Conference22nd and 23rd September:
Welcome Fairs29th September 11am-3pmGet Into Volunteering Event
RAG Choose Your Challenge Event
October
Training for new volunteers!Project activity begins
Date tbc:Volunteering and Social Justice Fair
December
Pre-break socials31st December:
Deadline for submitting volunteering hours
KEY DATESJanuary
Nominations for MAD Awards openFebruary
Nominations for VOTY Awards open31st January - 7 February:
Refreshers' Week / Welcome Back7 February - 11 February:Student Volunteering Week
MarchSU Elections
AprilNominations for SU Awards open
MayVolunteer of the Year Awards
Make a Difference Awards31st May:
Deadline for submitting volunteering hoursJune
Students' Union Volunteering, Fundraising andCampaigning Awards