KENTUNION

A Kent based charity that helps the most vulnerable and isolated people in our communities to access housing and related support services, has been awarded our number one spot on the top 10 community placements to volunteer with. Student volunteers found the induction and training provided to be very thorough, with one student commenting that ‘the training was very informative in terms of the overall aspirations of the company and my role as a fundraising and communications volunteer’. The staff support that volunteers received was excellent; they were asked what they wanted from the role and provided with feedback on their progress. Volunteers enjoyed the roles and felt very appreciated.

A confidential emotional support service available 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Student volunteers found the training and induction to be very extensive due to the nature of the role.  The staff support was excellent with volunteers being able to contact staff at any time. Volunteers were aware of their roles and responsibilities and really enjoyed their volunteering. Half of those questioned felt they have scope to progress and all received feedback on how they were doing. 

The leading conservation organisation covering the whole of Kent and Medway and dedicated to protecting wildlife and their habitats for everyone to enjoy. Student volunteers were satisfied with training and the support they were given from staff. The organisation made an effort to find out what they wanted from the role and also have them feedback on how they were progressing. The opportunities were very enjoyable and students felt appreciated for the volunteering they carried out.

The United Kingdom's largest voluntary organisation for girls and young women, with around half a million members including about 100,000 trained volunteer adult Leaders and supporters. A lot of student volunteers have been involved in girlguiding for years so no formal induction was given for those that already known the organisation. Volunteers are continuously offered various training opportunities.  Support from leaders was excellent with students commenting that they were approachable and friendly. Everyone who took part in the survey knew their role and really enjoyed it. The organisation didn’t find out what the majority of volunteers wanted from the role but the overall rating from all the students was very satisfactory.

Providing a library service to the patients on the wards of Kent and Canterbury Hospital. Student volunteers were very satisfied with the induction and training they received. Staff support is very good with staff always being contactable. Volunteers were aware of their responsibilities and were given feedback on how they were progressing, although they weren’t sure about the scope to progress within the organisation. Overall volunteers rated to role as very satisfactory.

Provides support for the families of military personal in the form of personal and community support. Student volunteers were satisfied with the induction and training provided, with further training opportunities being offered. Volunteers were very happy with the level of support from staff, with some feedback being given and volunteers being able to progress in their role. Volunteers really enjoyed their role and felt very appreciated, although some weren’t aware of their responsibilities.

A creative laboratory that aims to make the world a better place but exploring how the arts can inspire kindness and social change. Student volunteers were satisfied with the training and induction given as the roles were quite self explanatory. The staff support was excellent and volunteers were aware of their responsibilities. There was scope to progress although so far no feedback had been given. The overall rating for the organisation was very satisfactory.

An independent local charity dedicated to supporting the homeless, vulnerably housed and destitute in and around Canterbury.  Student volunteers who volunteered with catching lives felt that they received a good level of induction and training; staff provided excellent support and were very friendly and approachable. The volunteering roles offered were very enjoyable and students felt they were very appreciated within the organisation. The majority of students said that the organisation found out what they wanted from the role and half said they were given feedback on how they were progressing.

DDVG works to ease the consequences of indefinite immigration detention, destitution of ex-detainees and to challenge attitudes towards immigrants in the UK. Student volunteers were very satisfied by their induction, training and staff support. The organisation provided scope to progress and provided feedback to volunteers. The volunteers felt neutral about whether the placement was enjoyable but overall gave it a rating of very satisfactory.

One of Kent’s leading providers of specialist care and leisure services for children and adults with disabilities. Student volunteers were satisfied with the training and induction they were given and were very happy with the support they received from staff. They were aware of their responsibilities but weren’t sure about their scope to progress within the organisation. Overall students were satisfied with their volunteering opportunity.