FAQs for Organisations

Frequently Asked Questions

What can Reach offer our voluntary organisation?

Reach can help you define the volunteering role and skills which you require.  Reach then secures the right skilled volunteer for your organisation.

We don’t simply connect willing pairs of hands to good causes. The skilled volunteers we put you in contact with will not only have the expertise which you need but will have specifically expressed an interest in your organisation and the role which you are looking to fill. We have over 2,000 skilled volunteers registered with us. They come from a wide variety of disciplines and are eager to put their skills to benefit organisations such as yours.

What kind of skilled volunteers do we have on a database?

Our volunteers have a wide range of skills such as finance, IT, PR and marketing, strategic planning, general management and mentoring.  All our volunteers will have filled in a comprehensive registration form which asks them to detail their proven skills. Generally we suggest that they demonstrate at least three years of relevant experience.

What is the first step to becoming involved?

Click here to find out about our registration process.

How long before we can start meeting candidates?

Click here to find out about what is involved in finding the right candidate.  

How do we make sure that we have the volunteer that is right for us?

The majority of Reach volunteers are highly skilled but ultimately the decision as to whether they join you will depend on whether they can provide a valuable service to your organisation. It will be important that you meet together to talk through the role before you make any decisions.

How long will it take to find the right volunteer?

You may find someone very quickly but sometimes it can take a while to find someone who fits you perfectly. Reach will continue searching for you but you may need to be patient especially if you want a volunteer with a very sought-after skill set, such as fundraising or finance. We may suggest you redefine your job description to attract more candidates. We will stay in touch with you and keep you updated on how your role is progressing.

Does Reach screen volunteers?

All our volunteers are screened to ensure that they have the right skills and experience for your role. Reach does not however check references or carry out police checks. Your organisation will need to take up reference and criminal Records Bureau checks as appropriate.

How should volunteers be managed?

Some important principles are that you have a volunteer policy in place, that you give each volunteer a named manager and  that you reimburse their expenses and that they have a clear role description.