Derwentside Volunteer Bureau is now a Quality Accredited Volunteer Centre which means we have shown that we do everything properly and adhere to good practice. We do everything a Volunteer Centre should do.

We provide support at a local level for individual volunteers and volunteer involving organisations. We have six core functions:

• Brokerage  Our primary function is to match both individuals and groups interested in volunteering with appropriate opportunities in the local community. We hold information on a comprehensive range of opportunities. We offer potential volunteers support and advice. If you want to Volunteer you can find out how at our How to Volunteer page



• Marketing volunteering  We stimulate and encourage local interest in volunteering and community activity. This may include promoting and marketing volunteering through local, regional and national events and campaigns.



• Good practice development  We promote good practice in working with volunteers to all volunteer involving organisations. We deliver training for potential volunteers, volunteers, volunteer managers and the volunteering infrastructure. For more information please look at our Good Practice Look After Your Volunteers section



• Develop volunteering opportunities We work in close partnership with statutory, voluntary and private sector agencies as well as community groups and faith groups to develop local volunteering opportunities. We understand the potential offered by the local communities and work with them to realise this potential. We will target specific groups which face barriers to volunteering. We work creatively to develop imaginative, non-formal opportunities for potential volunteers. If you would like to register with us to take volunteers, we will promote your opportunities for you and refer on any suitable volunteers who make contact with us. The Organisation form is available for download here and an opportunity form for each voluntary role is available to download here



• Policy response and campaigning  We identify proposals or legislation that may impact on volunteering. It will lead and/or participate in campaigns on issues that affect volunteers or volunteering. We campaign proactively for a more volunteer-literate and volunteer-friendly climate.



• Strategic development of volunteering   As the local experts on volunteering we inform strategic thinking and planning at a regional and national level.