YVolunteer agency FAQ

• Which age group will be involved in the volunteer program?
  We work mostly with Year 8+ students, with Year 8s and 9s mainly working in groups (often with teachers present) and Year 10s-12s able to volunteer on their own in the community.
• Will the students be volunteering during school, or on their own time?
  Some schools run YVolunteer during school hours, while others encourage volunteering after school, during school holidays and on weekends. Let us know when your agency needs volunteers, and we will try and find a school nearby that can accommodate you.
• For how long will the students volunteer?
  Every school has a different volunteer program. Some prefer the ‘immersion’ system where students volunteer all day for a one-week period. Others ask students to complete a certain number of hours per year, or invite students to volunteer for one term. There are advantages and disadvantages to each system. At YVolunteer, we promote regular volunteering, where the student can build a strong relationship with a particular agency. However, if this is not possible, YVolunteer would still support an immersion program because it introduces the concept of volunteering to the students. Let us know what is most suitable for your agency, and we will try and accommodate you.
• Will you be covering the students for personal injuries while volunteering?
  Most schools have personal accident cover for their students when they volunteer. If the students are volunteering out of the school-approved time, you must make sure they are covered under your agency’s personal accident insurance. In this case, sometimes the insurance policy has a minimum age limit. If you find your insurance policy too restrictive, you might want to get it changed to allow more youth participation. Please contact YVolunteer for more information.
• How much time will we have to spend on YVolunteer?
  If you have efficient volunteer procedures in place, having young volunteers should not take up any more time than having volunteers of other ages. Young volunteers do, however, need more supervision, but if their orientation is good, they will know how to do the job. You will have a higher turnover of young volunteers because of their school program, but do not let this deter you from taking young people on - they are worth the effort and are likely to come back to your agency when they’re older if they have a worthwhile experience.
• · What is the benefit of having schools working with YVolunteer?
  Schools that are part of YVolunteer are advised on best practice procedures for working with community organisaions. Students also have access to an orientation presentation by Volunteering WA on what volunteering is all about, and what the students' rights and responsibilities are.
  YVolunteer can print certificates for participating students to recognise their efforts for your organisation.
  
• We once had a negative experience working with student volunteers - how will this be different?
  Not all young people are alike - just as not all people are alike! Do not let one negative experience with a young volunteer ruin it for everyone else. Giving young people a go at volunteering at your agency can be one of the most positive moves an agency can make. Young volunteers are keen, willing to learn and assist, and their enthusiasm is contagious!