Volunteering remotely

Volunteering from home can create some real challenges. 

We want you to feel fulfilled by your volunteering, so here are some ideas to help you remain connected with your volunteer manager and the wider team, while enjoying the experience of volunteering remotely.  

Create a workspace

Have a comfortable and dedicated space to volunteer from, considering any conversations that may require privacy. Once you’ve finished, clear away or tidy that space to signify the end of the "working day".

Have a routine

Where appropriate, try to replicate your routine as if you were going to your usual volunteering location. Get up at a set time and get ready as usual, keeping to a daily routine where possible. 

Structure your day

Manage your time so that you’re not exceeding your volunteering commitment. Factor in times for different tasks and don’t forget a lunch break, other regular breaks and getting outside.

Stay connected  

Make use of digital technology to explore ideas such as virtual coffee breaks, or group chats, with your volunteer manager or team. Make sure you have regular check-ins with your volunteer manager, and use the time to discuss what you need to do, what support you need and how you’re managing with volunteering remotely. 

Take regular breaks 

It’s important to not stay glued to your laptop or workstation but to have frequent breaks. Replicate what you’d do in an office environment, such as popping to the kitchen for a drink and taking a quick break. Send your volunteer manager a little message and check in with them to replace those passing conversations you may have had in the office. 

Keeping in touch

So much of our wellbeing while volunteering from home depends on us feeling connected to others. Your volunteer manager will be keeping in touch with you and updating you as far as returning to volunteering, but if you’d like to get in touch with another member of the team, then please call the Volunteering Team who will be happy to help you. They can be contacted on: 0303 123 9999 (option 4) or email [email protected]. 

Keep up to date with each month’s Volunteer News. This is where you’ll find out news about volunteering and it’s available in your preferred format. You’ll find the most recent version here. You can also follow RNIB on social media to feel more connected to our news, fundraising and campaigns. You’ll find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Employee and Volunteer Assistance Programme - Helpline for Volunteers 

We’re delighted that the Employee and Volunteer Assistance Programme (EVAP) Helpline is open to our volunteers. This is a free, confidential service, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to all RNIB employees and volunteers, their immediate family members (living in the same household) and dependent children. 

It provides unlimited access to support, information, professional guidance and, where appropriate, short term counselling on any issue which may be causing concern. 

Counselling is available over the telephone and in some cases on a face to face basis. Accessed by telephone or email, the EAP is a confidential service run independently of RNIB by Health Assured Ltd.

Contact the Helpline

You can call any time day or night on 0800 030 5182 or +44 161 836 9498 from outside the UK. 

Alternatively, you can access support online at healthassuredeap.co.uk

The passwords for accessing this service are available in the volunteering Welcome Pack, Volunteer News and can be obtained from the volunteering mailbox [email protected] or on 0303 123 9999 option 4 or from your Volunteer Manager.