In December 2011 we launched our telephone induction sessions for all new RNIB Group Volunteers. To date, more than 200 new volunteers have taken part.
Why we contact our volunteers
These sessions are facilitated by our Regional Volunteering Coordinators. The purpose of these is to give all new volunteers the opportunity to discuss the Understanding Sight Loss DVD that they receive in their Welcome Pack and to talk more widely about RNIB Group Strategy and how they fit into the bigger picture.
How we contact our volunteers
We contact new volunteers each week to book them in to a session that is convenient for them. We have also recently started to run evening sessions to try and meet the needs of as many volunteers as possible. If volunteers are unable to make any of the sessions or we do not get a response, we will email them and the Volunteer Manager, so he or she can pick this up.
What our volunteers think
Janet, a new volunteer for the Leeds Vision Consortium, said:
"I found the telephone induction very interesting and informative and it was definitely a positive experience. It was really good to go through and chat about all the things we had learnt so far from looking at the DVD and from the office induction meeting a month before. In addition we could also talk about our own experiences and opinions with other volunteers and the facilitator. I am very much looking forward to my volunteering with Leeds Vision Consortium and RNIB and so feel that the "round robin" conversation with the other two volunteers was a really positive experience
If you need any support with this, please call the Volunteering Team on 01733 375450 or email volunteering@rnib.org.uk and we'll put you in touch with your local Volunteering Coordinator.
Recent feedback on tele-induction: how are we doing?
We surveyed our volunteers to find out what their thoughts were on the tele-inductions.
The results have been very positive. Most of our new volunteers find the tele-induction useful and meaningful. 95 per cent of them feel they know more about what RNIB Group does having taken part. They also feel they have increased their knowledge on sight loss and gained more confidence in their new role.
Our volunteers are very happy with the way calls are facilitated: they find the team very helpful in answering questions and in facilitating the conversation in a meaningful and informative way.
Louise Cunningham, newly joined volunteer from South Yorkshire, said:
"The induction was of excellent quality and a nice welcome. It gave a nod towards the collective efforts of volunteers as it was clearly stated that our time is greatly valued and more or less essential to keep RNIB running in its current way, it really gave the feeling that your time as a volunteer will make a difference. Thank you and it is a pleasure to volunteer for you".
Andrew Doherty from Dorset, commented:
"Through discussion I learned many points that I would have missed from the DVD alone. It also helped greatly that the other volunteer attending the induction had sight impairment and could bring a lot of insight into the discussion".
Our volunteers really recommend taking part in our tele-induction, it has made them feel welcome, part of a team and helped them to understand the challenges blind and partially sighted people face, but also what part they have in resolving those challenges.