Kibblestone International Scout Camp Welcomes Volunteer and the Contributions That They

The Volunteer Policy Document

Kibblestone International Scout Camp welcomes volunteers and the contributions that they make to our organisation. The skill and experiences volunteers bring can be utilised to support the youth organisations that we cater for.

At the same time, we hope that every volunteer will enjoy rewarding experiences, make new friends and learn new skills along the way.

About this document The purpose of the document is to set out the policy and procedures which volunteers come to work at KIBBLESTONE International Scout Camp (ISC) can use.

Policy Objectives Kibblestone ISC aims to make the camp site a place where people can learn and develop, work and prosper and enjoy a quality environment. By offering opportunities for voluntary work, Kibblestone ISC is providing opportunities for adults from all walks of life to enjoy the environment, to learn and develop, as well as work towards creating a more rewarding experience for all the youth organisations visiting our campsite.

Volunteers help Kibblestone ISC to achieve its own objectives of:

Why do we need volunteers? Kibblestone ISC is a registered charity, and we rely on volunteers to create, improve, maintain, and staff our facilities. As many of our users are also charitable organisations, and to ensure that we provide facilities and activities to the best levels, at prices our customers can afford, we must develop our volunteers and recruit new ones.

How do we recruit volunteers?  By advertising at the Campsite  through the Kibblestone Newsletter  by word of mouth  at Open Days  through the Staffordshire Volunteering Bureau  through the Scout Association.

What do we offer volunteers? We offer the opportunity to make use of skills and experiences that volunteers have to offer, and for them to discover new skills. We offer the chance to make new friends and to make sure that all visitors to Kibblestone have great experiences. For those looking for a career in outdoor education, and working with young people there is the opportunity to learn about the daily tasks involved in running a large outdoor activity centre. Who can be volunteers?  Anyone who has time and an interest in supporting the local environment, Scouting, local history or the modern youth organisations. .  Students who have an interest in a career in outdoor education  University students and graduates choosing a career in outdoor education or environment  People already in employment but thinking of a change in career  People wanting to return to work in need of work experience

Who do we want as volunteers? People with any general life skills, and a genuine desire to support and improve as detailed above

Where do volunteers work? Our volunteers have many different tasks and jobs to choose from. We need volunteers to help to -  maintain and help restore our 16th century water mill, Mosty Lea Mill  run activities for young people  garden and some hard landscaping  maintain vehicles and machinery (tractors, Land Rover, industrial washing machines)  shop staff to sell confectionary and souvenirs  receptionists to ask questions, take bookings (from visitors and on the telephone), and take camp fees  undertake general D-I-Y and clean our dormitory buildings (and shower blocks)  undertake plumbing, electrical, carpentry work (where skills are already in place)

When do we want volunteers? Our camp site is open all year around (expect Christmas and new year weeks), some of our jobs need to be done during weekends and evenings, and some need doing during the day, and on weekdays. Our jobs are for people to come along occasionally, some on four weekly rota basis, some weekly, some part-time hours and some full time hours. Most importantly, we need volunteers who can give an hour, a day, a week, or whatever time they can afford. What else can volunteers do for us? Volunteers assist us in many other ways. They:  help out at Open Days

Training and Supervision The camp site manager or assistant manager will be responsible for all volunteers, but each activity will have a designated supervisor that will be named on taking up the volunteering position. All volunteers will receive an induction to the camp site; other members of the camp team may give training and guidance where a special project or task is required.

Students under 16 Close supervision is provided for younger volunteers who may be completely new to a working environment. The work they undertake requires careful preparation. Risk Assessments are carried out and made available to parents prior to the student’s visit What sort of tasks might volunteers be asked to do? Tasks are many and varied and can include the following:

 Activity instructing  Gardening  Hard landscaping inc. digging holes and fencing  Painting and decorating  Simple maintenance  Cleaning of buildings inc. toilets   Shop work inc. adding up sales and handling cash  Moving materials

Am I entitled to any money? In line with the definition of volunteer no payment will be given for work undertaken. Out of pocket expenses will be reimbursed.

Am I entitled to any formal training? We do offer volunteers training courses (such as archery, canoeing, air rifle shooting, climbing and abseiling instructing) at subsidised rates; these are undertaken at a participant’s discression and are not essential for day-to-day volunteering. How do you become a volunteer? You can call our Divisional Office on 01785 813407 during the hours below – Monday – Wednesday 9am – 5pm Thursday 9am – 1pm

Or email [email protected]

All volunteers must fill in a general information form, and will be subject to Criminal Records Bureau checks (CRB) in line with our Equal Opportunities Policy and our Working with Children Policy.