Volunteering Opportunities

Buttle UK volunteers

Buttle UK strives to give children and young people, from 0-20 years old, living in poverty, a better chance in life, and to escape the vicious cycle of social problems that poverty can create.

We do this through three key areas of work:

• Grants for essential items for children and young people living in poverty
• Grants that create the opportunity for a successful education and/or employment
• Creating longer term change through research and strategic initiatives

Buttle UK works with volunteers seeking to contribute to the work of the charity by offering their time for volunteering opportunities.

Volunteers

Volunteering is an important expression of citizenship as well as an important component of democracy. Volunteers are people who, unpaid and of their own free will, contribute their time, energy and skills to benefit the community.

Volunteering is a legitimate and crucial activity that is supported and encouraged by Buttle UK, and is not intended to be a substitute for paid employment. The role of volunteers complements but does not replace the role of paid staff.

Appropriate steps will be taken to ensure that paid staff are clear about the role of volunteers, and to foster good working relationships between paid staff and volunteers.

Volunteers will not be used during times of industrial action to do the work of paid staff.

The volunteer role is a gift relationship, binding in honour, trust and mutual understanding. No enforceable obligation, contractual or otherwise, can be imposed on volunteers to attend, give or be set a minimum amount of time to carry out the tasks involved in their voluntary activity. Likewise the organisation cannot be compelled to provide either regular work or payment or other benefit for any activity undertaken by the volunteer.

Although volunteers offer time freely and willingly without binding obligation, there is a presumption of mutual support and reliability. Reciprocal expectations are acknowledged, both of what the organisation expects of volunteers and what volunteers expect of the organisation.

Supporting our volunteers

Volunteers are assigned a line manager for the day-to-day management of roles. Line managers will be assigned according to the nature of the role being recruited. Line managers will also be responsible for communicating responsibilities within the role, and discussing any concerns or adjustments prior to confirmation of placements, and for providing appropriate guidance for the duration of the volunteering opportunity.

A task description outlining specific duties for each volunteering role will be provided.

Volunteers will be provided with regular supervision from members of staff, including the volunteer’s own supervisor.

If you would like to volunteer for Buttle UK, please download and complete our Volunteer Application Form and then return it to richardb@buttleuk.org