Volunteers Questionnaire June 2006

The questionnaire was sent out to 110 volunteers and 36 responded, although answers were not given to all questions.

Volunteers were asked the following:

1. How long have you been a volunteer?
Under 1 year = 14
1-5 years = 12
Over 5 years = 10

How do you rate it?
Score 1 to 5, where 1 = poor and 5 = excellent

1 = 0 / 2 = 0 / 3 = 2 / 4 = 9 / 5 = 4

Any suggestions for how it can be improved?

"As a service user of the White Lodge for over 10 years and then as a shop volunteer, my induction was probably tailored to my situation rather than following specific guidelines."

Noticeboard with information on all areas and projects within the White Lodge Centre (8 suggestions)

Page on the WLC website (3 suggestions)

Information via email (4 suggestions)

A regular email newsletter sent to all volunteers (3 suggestions)

Other comments:

"Regular letters and website information. Noticeboard does not cover volunteers who do not come to centre."

"Perhaps a press cuttings book that could be placed in the staffroom and also one in reception and one in Adult Centre to enable volunteers to learn about fundraising events."

"Currently I rely on Zera to keep me informed and she can’t be expected to know everything."

"Send out a general monthly email to volunteers. Have a page on the website especially for volunteers, which is updated regularly."

If yes, what have you received?

Training Day (2 comments)

Child Protection (2 comments)

"Managing Challenging Behaviour."

"Makaton Course, Child Protection Workshop, Playscheme Training."

"Volunteers Training."

"Through employment."

"Not had any yet but have been offered lots."

"I am doing what I used to do when I was in paid employment."

"Backcare – Cerebral Palsy."

"Swimming, etc."

"A Certificate."

"Manual Handling."

"Relevant to volunteering in the shop: Health & Safety, Managing Money, Security, Keeping Records, Communication with other shop volunteers."

"Signing and other means of communication."

If yes, what would you like?

"If I was continuing as a volunteer – unfortunately I have to stop volunteering due to university commitments."

"Our volunteer training days are very useful."

"General care."

"Everything you offer."

"Managing difficult situations."

"First Aid – but the Family Link Office are already in process of organising a course for a Saturday."

"Managing Challenging Behaviour."

"Maketon Training."

"The training provided is more than satisfactory."

"I will attend ongoing training in behaviour management etc. Also appreciate refreshers in First Aid. There was a course on Active Listening I could not attend and am hoping it will be repeated."

"First Aid." (2 requests)

"Training in feeding and handling the handicapped, because each are different in their needs."

"I have an interview shortly and would like to discuss my training then."

"Whatever is relevant to helping in the nursery."

12. What do you enjoy about volunteering at White Lodge?

"Learning so much, I find it very interesting getting to know and understand the individual children and their disabilities."

"I want to make a difference in peoples’ lives."

"Worthwhile thing to do."

"Atmosphere, children."

"I love knowing that I’m helping people."

"Being disabled myself, teaching my own skills to help members. Get back self-confidence making people smile."

"I enjoy participating in activities, and hope this is of some benefit to the children. I feel that WL offers opportunities to do something worthwhile."

"Spending time with the child I link with in my family, although it is still quite early days for the ‘link’."

"The general ambiance of being with the Members. Being able to contribute in whatever way I can, the enjoyable time that we have."

"Working with children."

"It is very rewarding to know that what you’re doing is helping others."

"The children, playing with them."

"Being able to help others even when I am disabled myself."

"Meeting people, both staff and members. I feel that WL is providing a first-rate service to the community and am personally very pleased to play a small part."

"Love being with children."

"All of it!"

"People and atmosphere of the place."

"I know my services are valued by staff at WL and I very much enjoy meeting and getting to know families."

"It is a pleasant place to work and people are generally friendly and helpful. It is nice to feel useful!"

"The chance to meet other people and do something useful, while using my work ‘skills’."

"The company." (2 comments)

"Job satisfaction, plus giving something back for what they did for my daughter who attended here back in the 1970s."

"Meeting people. Feeling useful. Having a go at various art projects."

"I enjoy each day I come to White Lodge, the people I meet and the atmosphere."

"Being able to use my experience of disability with others. The joy on the children’s faces when I come and seeing the improvement in their abilities."

"The staff are wonderful and I enjoy the children and the enjoyment they get."

"Variety; meeting everyone; making some money for such an excellent cause!"

"The friendship and caring atmosphere."

"Feeling your contribution is appreciated and worthwhile. Part of the team."

"You get to meet many new people. Watching the children have fun."

"Nice people. Environment very pleasant."

"Hoping to be able to help with one-to-one relationship with the children. Watching the wonderful dedication of the staff and learning from them."

"Helps with my role as a Trustee and enables me to continue using my expertise in the organisation and therefore helping White Lodge to move forward and improve its provision of services."

"I think what you do at WL is great and both the parents and children are very lucky to have such a caring and supporting centre available to them."

"Fun, friendship, continuity."

"I have really enjoyed working for WL as a volunteer. It has been great fun. The play scheme leaders have been very helpful."

"Something along the lines of a newsletter, postings on the website would help to know of upcoming events (although you may already have, that I am not aware of)."

"No comments to make, WL staff provide outstanding facilities and care."

"On one or two occasions I have noticed volunteers, especially young people, with nothing to do, and, apparently, no-one to co-ordinate their activity. This, I would think, must be very off-putting for a willing helper."

"Happy to be consulted at any time!"

"Courses which include input from other professionals – eg physios, social workers, OT’s etc. I find particularly useful."

"Information on each member’s disabilities and needs."

"Although I have put no to question 11, I try to keep up to date with the services in my role as a Trustee."

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