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Welcome main contact details Introduction a bit of history and what we do I want to volunteer how to register to become a volunteer Short Term Volunteering and one-off opportunities We need volunteers how to recruit volunteers Feedback Forum Links to surveys for registered organisations and volunteers  Trustees are you looking for volunteer trustees? Training Courses schedule of forthcoming events Events schedule of training events Jobs at VCL current employment opportunities with us...  Links & Contacts some useful numbers Complaints Procedure when things go wrong ...    Volunteer Centre Liverpool 151 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2AH. Tel: 0151-237 3975     Registered Charity Number 1046111.   Company Limited by Guarantee Number 3041905. If you find a link on this site that does not work, could you please let me know  via this e-mail? enquiries@volunteercentreliverpool.org.uk   Some links might require you to access an Adobe PDF document. You can download the PDF reader here:  www.adobe.com				Select:   Who are we?     Why volunteer?     Opportunities for everyone?     Cheap labour?     Why use VCL?     What about welfare benefits?     Volunteers     Organisations Who are we? Volunteer Centre Liverpool provides a one-stop resource for information, advice and guidance on all aspects of volunteering issues, both for potential volunteers and voluntary/community organisations.   VCL provides information and accredited training on good practice in involving volunteers, is an accredited partner for the Investing in Volunteers (IIV) quality standard and an awarding centre for the ASDAN Certificate in Community Volunteering, enabling us to provide accredited training and qualifications for volunteers. Why volunteer? People get a lot from volunteering, and they do it for various reasons: to meet people, to develop new skills, as a way of helping them get paid employment, to try out something they may be considering as a career, for experience required as part of a training course, to take up a new interest, to get involved in helping their community, to share what they know with others, to obtain accredited training or certificates of achievement, because they like the challenge or responsibility many volunteering opportunities can offer, or simply to occupy themselves positively. Opportunities for everyone? VCL is committed to Equal Opportunities and believes that everybody has the right to volunteer, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, colour, nationality, cultural origin, religion, employment status, education, political belief, class, unrelated criminal conviction, marital status, disability, HIV status or caring responsibility. The centre wishes to encourage people from all sections of the local community to consider volunteering and to promote the recruitment of volunteers by organisations from across the whole of the community which they serve. Individuals should not be excluded from any volunteering opportunity without due reason. Cheap labour? Under no circumstances should volunteers be seen, either by themselves or by the organisations recruiting them, as a cheap form of labour, carrying out menial tasks which devalue the volunteers' role, nor should they replace paid workers or cover the work of paid staff. Volunteers should not be expected to undertake tasks without proper supervision, training and on-going support. Why use VCL? The centre has the most up-to-date information about current voluntary opportunities in the area. By linking potential volunteers with local organisations who are actively seeking volunteers, and by matching volunteers to appropriate organisations according to expressed needs and interests, the centre aims to save considerable time and effort both for volunteers and organisations. In addition, VCL only refers potential volunteers to organisations registered with the centre who meet certain criteria, so that issues such as expenses, supervision, training, health and safety, equal opportunities and insurance can be addressed, and potential volunteers can be sure they are carrying out their volunteering in a safe and supportive environment. What about welfare benefits? If you are unemployed, you can volunteer without it affecting your benefits. The Employment Service now recognises that volunteering is an excellent route into paid employment, as it provides practical experience, recent references, the opportunity to learn new skills or keep existing knowledge up-to-date, the chance to make useful contacts and to obtain accredited training. NB: VCL will not pass on details of anyone registered with the centre to any external agency. If you have any immediate concerns regarding your benefit entitlement check out the Department for Work & Pensions website at www.dwp.gov.uk/directgov/. Volunteers If you are considering volunteering and would like to find out about current opportunities with local groups and organisations who may benefit from your involvement, go to the Do-It website and complete an online registration form. Your details will be passed on to whichever Volunteer Centre uploaded any particular role that you select.  Organisations If you are a local group or organisation and wish to register with VCL to recruit volunteers in the Liverpool area click on the We need volunteers option of this website. NB: Volunteer Centre Liverpool does not provide volunteers directly to individuals who are seeking assistance, but, if possible, we may be able to put enquirers in touch with agencies that do, if we are aware of them.