Experience for Work

‘Can’t get a job because I’ve got no experience, can’t get experience because I can’t get a job’ – it’s the Catch 22 that we’ve all heard.

The right sort of volunteer experience can help get round the problem and plug gaps in your CV. NCVA has developed expertise in developing volunteering opportunities for people looking to improve their job prospects for over 25 years. ‘Work experience’ is something that, of itself, is fine. Unfortunately work experience has been misused by some employers and mismanaged in employment schemes meaning it has been interpreted as ‘cheap labour’ providing nothing of value for the person meant to be gaining experience.

In response NCVA developed ‘supported volunteering’. Our Supported Volunteering Project encourages those taking part, many of whom have a range of additional support requirements, to gain confidence, self-esteem and practical skills by undertaking volunteering with the support of a buddy, if required, so they are able to move into unsupported volunteering, training or employment. NCVA conducts a full Organisational Health Check to ensure that the organisation and volunteer have safe, inclusive and progressive working environments providing support, advice and training where appropriate.

We recruit, train and support ‘Volunteer Buddies’ to support those taking part, not only to find suitable volunteering opportunities amongst the wide range of organisations in Northumberland who are able to offer volunteering experierence, but also with travel to and from the volunteering opportunity.

Buddies also liaise with the Support to Volunteer coordinator, programme participants and volunteer placement organisations to offer support over the duration of the volunteering experience to ensure that participants have a positive volunteering experience and are able to reach their own potential.

Volunteer Buddies

Our supported volunteering service is always looking for Volunteer Buddies who will

• provide one-to-one support to an individual with multiple barriers who wants to improve their confidence and life experiences
• accompany the individual and assist them to undertake volunteering in their preferred organisation
• develop and maintain effective relationships with allocated volunteers and volunteer-involving organisations

A DBS check will be required. Out of pocket expenses will be paid to those taking part. 

Would you like to:

• support others who are less confident?
• improve or gain new skills?
• meet new people?
• have a new challenge?

Are you:

• Willing to undertake training and development?
• A good listener with good communication skills?
• Empathetic and non-judgemental?
• Able to explain information clearly?

Can you commit to a minimum of one half day per week for volunteering plus time for training and support meetings?

For an informal chat to and to find out more contact Poppy Coles by email or call 01670 858 688.