Foundations in Volunteering

Foundations in Volunteering is a clear, practical, and supportive course that introduces you to what volunteering involves. It’s open to anyone who wants to learn more about volunteering, and it uses discussion and group activities to help you build confidence and understanding.

You’ll explore what volunteering means and what a volunteer does within a local voluntary organisation. You’ll learn about the different activities these organisations run in the community and how volunteers help support this work. The course also helps you recognise the skills and personal qualities that make a successful volunteer, such as communication, teamwork, reliability, and respect for others.

A section of the course introduces mentoring and explains how it differs from general volunteering. You’ll discuss boundaries, responsibilities, and the importance of safe, positive relationships. The course also covers basic rules and frameworks that volunteers may need to know, including safeguarding, confidentiality, and health and safety.

By the end of the course, you’ll have a clearer understanding of local volunteering opportunities, feel more confident about getting involved, and be better prepared to contribute positively to your community.