glossary

Next of Kin Emergency Contact Details

Please input the name and contact number of the person you would like us to contact in the event of an emergency during the course of your volunteering.

The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Scheme

The Duke of Edinburgh scheme is for young people up to the age of 25 which offers several levels. The Bronze and Silver are pre-requisites to the Gold Award. We run our D of E Gold Award through Canterbury College, and it involves a five section programme which includes volunteering in the areas of Skill, Service, Physical Recreation, Expeditions and a Residential Project. More information can be gained from the Student Activities Centre.

The V Volunteering Scheme

This nationally recognised scheme for 16-24 year olds is run through VSU, and involves 100 hours of community volunteering as well as some personal development planning. Application forms are available from the Student Activities Centre.

KSCV

The Kent Student / Staff Certificate for Volunteering. This is a joint award from Kent University and Kent Union to recognise volunteering dedication. 50 hours and a review in one academic year will get you the KSCV Standard, while 100 hours with two reviews, plus attendance at two training sessions and a presentation will get you the KSCV Gold. The final level is the KSCV Platinum, a modular form of volunteering that can carry academic credit. Handbooks can be collected from the Student Activities Centre.

Declaring Criminal Convictions

You need to declare any convictions for a criminal offence, other than that of a spent conviction under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. If you are unsure of the status of your conviction please contact Sam Walker on s.a.walker@kent.ac.uk to discuss this. Having a current conviction will not necessarily bar you from volunteering. This will depend on the nature of the work and the circumstance and background to the offence(s).

Support of Special Needs

For a check box, by checking this box you are confirming that you are able to support students with physical or mental disabilities.  For free text fields please outline any boundries you organisation has when supporting volunteers with special needs, which may not be limited to physical disabilities, e.g 'Cannot support volunteers who require continuous 1:1 supervision, but personal aids are welcome'.

Role Title

The type of task you will require a volunteer to do, e.g. Fundraiser, Shop Assistant, Activities Co-Ordinator.

Role Description

An outline of the type of work that the role will be expected to undertake, e.g. Shop Assistant will be performing till duties, stock take, window dressing and customer service.

How to volunteer at this placement

Please outline here how a volunteer should contact your organisation, e.g. 'Please complete an application form, available from the Student Activities Centre', or 'Please contact the named person above'.

Competencies

This should outline the type of volunteer you want, e.g. a confident and happy person who finds it easy to talk to people will be best suited to this role.

Experience

This should outline if any experience is required, e.g. previous experience working with children desirable but not necessary.

Qualifications

This should outline if any qualifications are required, e.g. driving licence compulsory, first aid qualification desirable.

Benefit To Self

This should outline what benefits the student will be able to gain, e.g. great opportunity for prospective teachers, references available post volunteering.

Benefit To Community

This should outline what the volunteer is expected to put into the local community, e.g. a play area for children will be created, increased opening hours of the shop.

Open to Disabled Persons Details

This should outline the exact limitations, if any, e.g. wheelchair access, but not suitable for blind or deaf volunteers.