Keeping Volunteers Safe: Restarting your Volunteer Programme

3.5. The Decision Making Process

Making these decisions are not easy. It is essential to take some time to consider:

• Who needs to be involved to make this happen
• How long is this activity likely to take;
• Whether you need any other kind of resource to achieve it?

Part of the values expressed in this course is that when a group or organisation is thinking about these strategic and operational questions, they remember that volunteering is freedom of choice. Individuals considering a return to volunteering need to think whether returning to an opportunity or an activity is going to be right for them.

Choices are based on a complex mix of practical concerns and more complex personal choices associated with our beliefs and values. Individuals may also have different interpretations of the government guidance, based on their health status, or that of their family members, their interpretation of any risks involved, and the level of risk with which they are comfortable.

Volunteers may also have experienced negative financial impacts, increased caring or working responsibilities, or bereavements which may delay their readiness to resume their usual role or impact on their emotional needs as they return.

Individuals can only make real choices if they have a clear understanding of what is expected of them, and what is expected of them in return. Remember that the Volunteer Charter confirms that volunteering should always be a choice that is freely made.

So far, you have considered two critical areas related to ‘restarting your volunteer programme’,

‘Is this the right time’ and

‘Asking the right questions’.

Having reflected on what is proportionate for your context, the next step is to use what you have recorded in your Action Plan so far to flesh out an action plan to help you make positive changes.