2. Current policies and procedures for
volunteers.
What is expected of volunteers?
What is the responsibility of the volunteer?
Are volunteers accountable?
http://www.volunteering.org.uk/resources/g
oodpracticebank/Core+Themes/Protectionan
dSafeguarding
3. Witnessing any event that may be new to you
and or makes you anxious can leave you
feeling frightened and confused. You may
also feel exposed and vulnerable.
If you witness an incident that concerns you.
You need to tell someone. Take some time to
reflect on what you have witnessed. ‘Think
Time’. Get your thoughts in order.
4. If you have witnessed an incident or event.
Take time to write this down. Find space to
do this. It is important to write things down.
This will help you in your thinking.
When writing anything down be specific and
clear.
5. What are the facts? What causes you to be concerned?
Facts are what you have observed This could be the way someone
or witnessed. Not something you looks.
have been told or think you have It could be something that has
seen or heard. been told to you.
Facts are something you already It could be something you have
know. For example someone’s age. seen.
Facts are the date, time and place.
Facts are who you are and what
your role is.
Why are you concerned? Why are you going to tell?
This is when you clarify why you This is where you say you are
are concerned. For example. You going to tell because.... ‘I am a
are concerned for a child, young volunteer and have witnessed an
person or adult because ........ incident that under policies and
procedures needs to be reported.
6. Be informed. Information will always help you to
make an informed choice about what you do.
Be self-aware. Knowledge about your strengths,
limitations and understanding will always help
you to make clear decisions.
Be respectfully cautious and wise. Wisdom and
caution are good skills. These will help you
weigh-up situations and help you step back and
take time to think. Do not rush in...
Be yourself. Your lived experience is important. It
is who you are. Understand this and use this
experience carefully and respecfully.
7. Reading is an important skill.
Practical skills and common sense are also
important.
They need to be brought together to ensure
that the volunteer has good critical thinking
skills and health self-esteem.
‘The most subversive institution is the
library...where citizens can find the font of
knowledge....that they can utilize for personal
growth’ (hooks, 2003, pg. 95)
8. Hooks, B. (2003) Rock My Soul: Black People
and Self-Esteem, New York: Washington
Square Press.
