Volunteering

BuDS welcomes new volunteers, whatever their background, skills, experience, or availability.

BuDS is a working community of over 150 volunteers. This means all our work is led and managed by volunteers, mostly disabled people themselves. Our paid staff support our volunteer team.

As a BuDS volunteer, your work will really make a difference to the lives of disabled people in Bucks and beyond, whether you are working directly with disabled people, as part of one of our Fair4All projects, or working within the charity. We are friendly, informal but professional. To learn more about the roles that are available, click here.

BuDS sees volunteering as a two-way process of giving. You donate your time, skills, and experience to BuDS, and BuDS will include and support you as part of our unique community. We take great care to make sure we understand what you would like from your volunteering with BuDS, whether that is to give back to your community, improve your skills and knowledge, move closer to a job, or find new friends.

BuDS is an inclusive and open community, and everyone is welcome. Our team is extremely diverse and we take pride in our diversity and inclusion.

To learn more about volunteering at BuDS, or to arrange an informal chat, please email us or you can leave a voicemail at 01494 211179. Alternatively, you can complete our contact form below and we will get back to you.

To view our current vacancies, click here. To view all our projects and the general volunteering roles within them, click here.


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    Volunteering FAQ’s

    Who are BuDS’ volunteers?BuDS volunteers are people who make Bucks better for disabled people. BuDS is a very supportive, inclusive and accepting place where everyone can find a role.
    Do you have to be a disabled person?You don’t have to be a disabled person to be a BuDS volunteer.
    Which disabled people can volunteer?BuDS is a pan-disability charity, so we welcome people with all types of impairment and disability, whether sensory, physical, mental health, learning disability, long-term condition or autism.
    As a disability charity made up of disabled people, we look for ways that work for everyone, whatever their disability or impairment. Nobody should be put off applying to be a BuDS Volunteer because they are disabled!
    What is the recruitment process?We are very informal but professional. It normally takes as little as 2 weeks to become a fully-inducted BuDS volunteer. Here is the process:

    1. You express an interest in becoming a volunteer.
    2. Our friendly volunteer co-ordinator will have an initial chat with you to explore what you would like to do, and to answer your questions.
    3. If you want to go ahead, the team leader or trustee for the area that you have expressed an interest in will also have a chat with you.
    4. We will then ask you to complete some online forms
    5. We will arrange for an enhanced DBS check to be done
    6. Once the check is complete, we will add you to our IT system
    7. You will get a full induction into your new role, how to use the IT, and anything else that you need to know before starting.
    8. You will be added into your new Team and introduced to your colleagues, and the staff who will support you.
    Will I be safeguarded?BuDS takes safeguarding extremely seriously. All staff and volunteers are subject to an enhanced DBS check, and we have a safeguarding team who are constantly looking to keep everyone safe. Our policies and systems are designed with safeguarding in mind.
    Because we understand that some disabled people may have had difficult periods in their life, we always individually risk assess anyone who does not have a clear DBS certificate.
    Is there a fixed time requirement or hours?BuDS is very flexible and open to varied ways of working. Our working methods are accessible and inclusive.
    We understand that disabled people sometimes unable to volunteer when they’d like to, and we will work flexibly around you. An hour of your time is valuable if that’s all you can manage.
    Are jobseekers welcome?We welcome job-seekers and people looking to move closer to work. About half of our volunteers are jobseekers or getting work-related experience, and we actively support them through our Reach4Work project.
    We will tailor your role so you get the skills and experience you need. We also give references and will do our best to put you in touch with employers.
    Historically around 2/3 of BuDS Jobseeker volunteers get a job or move into education within a year. The Covid-19 pandemic has changed things, but we are still helping disabled people into work, even in these very difficult circumstances.
    What would I do as a BuDS volunteer?BuDS has dozens of different roles, so we can find a place for anyone. We can even create roles just for you. To find out more about the roles available, click here.
    Do I have to have particular skills or experience?No. We match your role to your skills and experience so that you are happy and confident in the role. We provide mentoring, training, and support to help you improve your skills and experience if this is something you want. Some roles do require particular skills or experience, and this is made clear in the role description.
    Can I work remotely from home?Yes. Everyone at BuDS is working remotely during the Covid-19 pandemic. When it is safe to do so, our well equipped office in Aylesbury will be reopened for those who wish to work in person. You will never be required to volunteer in person – BuDS will always be a ‘hybrid charity’ where people work from both an office and from home according to their needs and wishes.
    What about IT and software?BuDS is a modern charity with excellent IT. All volunteers get a Microsoft Office 365 and Teams account. We provide full training on how to use it, plus guidance on modern remote working methods. Full IT support is available. If you need a laptop or wifi, we may be able to loan you what you need.
    Is there a volunteer agreement?Yes. Every volunteer signs an agreement which makes sure they are covered by our insurance. The agreement also makes it clear that BuDS is responsible for everything you do as a BuDS volunteer.
    Can I claim expenses?Yes. BuDS volunteers can claim travel or subsistence expenses on request.
    Am I liable for anything?BuDS volunteers are fully protected by our extensive public liability insurance.