Volunteering Opportunities

The Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG Scheme), which delivers on the provisions outlined in the PVG Scotland Act 2007, is a new membership scheme for individuals who work with children and/or protected adults. It replaces enhanced disclosures and is designed to:

• help to ensure that those who have regular contact with children and protected adults through paid and unpaid work, do not have a known history of harmful behaviour.
• be quick and easy to use, reducing the need for PVG Scheme members to complete a detailed application form every time a disclosure check is required.
• strike a balance between proportionate protection and robust regulation, and make it easier for employers to determine who they should check to protect their client group.

Regulated Work: Definition

The PVG Act defines regulated work by reference to: the activities that a person does; the establishments in which a person works; the position that they hold; or the people for whom they have day-to-day supervision or management responsibility.

There are two types of regulated work:

Protected Adult: Definition

A protected adult is defined as an individual aged 16 or over who is provided with (and thus receives) a type of care, support or welfare service. Protected adult is therefore a service-based definition and avoids labelling adults on the basis of their having a specific condition or disability.

Child: Definition

A child is defined as an individual under the age of 18 years

Scheme Membership

Potential volunteers must apply for one or both Schemes, depending on the type of regulated ‘work’ (working with children and/or protected adults). If a person is a Scheme member for working with children, then he/she will not be allowed to work with protected adults unless he/she has a Scheme membership for this group also. Membership is for the length of time the person is engaged in the regulated work, and each member will have a unique disclosure record number. The individual and the organisation will be advised by letter if that individual is barred (ie refused membership of the Scheme). It is a criminal offence to employ someone in regulated work where that person is barred.

Cultural Services is responsible for the operation, management, development and promotion of a number of facilities and services throughout the City, including:

Volunteers can take part in a broad range of project-based opportunities.

Volunteers play an important role in working alongside staff to ensure that the cultural, musical and scientific heritage of Dundee is cared for and shared with the people of Dundee and those who visit the City.

Projects available include cataloguing and repacking objects in the museum collection, or helping to provide access and engagement opportunities.

The skills, experience and knowledge required vary depending on the specific project.

Volunteering is an ideal way to get involved in sport & physical activity, develop new skills and gain new qualifications. It can be a rewarding activity which helps you meet new people and take on new challenges through roles such as coaching, administration and facility operation.

Leisure & Sport is responsible for the following facilities:

With this range of facilities, plus activities taking place in community and education facilities across the City, the following types of volunteering opportunities are available:

Volunteers will be given the chance to attend additional development opportunities free of charge, including coach education and customer service courses. These qualifications may lead to employment opportunities within the leisure industry.

Leisure & Sport has a number of examples of individuals who started as volunteers and progressed to paid coaching positions or professional officer posts.

Library and Information Services provide access to high quality resources for reading and learning in a relaxed, informal andsupportive environment, through a network of 14 libraries across the City.

Opportunities for volunteers lie in the following areas:

ICT

Encouraging members of the public in the use of PCs and the Internet by providing assistance or training on a one-to-one basis, or in small groups.

Help and supervise with the safe set-up and running of various war-games and board games for Games Clubs held in libraries.

Local History

Assist in the development and promotion of local history activities.

Group Work

Help and supervise with the safe set-up and running of various interest based groups  held in libraries.

Macmillan

Provide information, emotional support and service referrals for people affected by cancer.

Other

Help at library events.