Volunteering and civil society

Support for volunteering, community organisations and an active local civic sector.

In this section

• Volunteering opportunities — Current opportunities and what each role includes.

Volunteering in Greenhaven

Volunteering is part of Greenhaven Council’s local community remit. The council’s role is to make it easier for people to contribute to community life, to help genuine opportunities reach local people and to connect volunteering with the wider needs of Greenhaven.

The council may itself use volunteers where an appropriate scheme exists, but volunteering is not limited to council activity. Independent charities, community groups and other organisations remain an important part of local civic life.

Supporting civil society

Civil society describes the organisations and networks that sit outside government and ordinary commercial activity but contribute to community life. Greenhaven Council’s responsibility is to support a healthy local civic environment, maintain constructive relationships and recognise the value of independent community activity.

Community organisations and independence

Support does not make an organisation part of Greenhaven Council. Pages about council support identify whether the relationship involves information, funding, facilities, partnership support or a commissioned service.

Opportunities and recruitment

Only current Greenhaven Council or clearly identified partner opportunities will be listed. Each opportunity will include eligibility, supervision, time commitment and the route to apply or express interest.

Good governance and transparency

Where public resources or formal council support are involved, the public record identifies the decision, the purpose of the support and the responsibilities of the organisations involved.

Volunteering opportunities

Current volunteering opportunities will show the organisation responsible, what the role involves, the expected time commitment, any eligibility or checks, support available and how to express interest. Closed opportunities will no longer appear as available roles.

Volunteers and public service staff

Volunteering can add to community and civic activity, but it will not be used as an unpaid substitute for work that properly requires accountable public service staff. Where volunteers support a council service, the organisation running the service remains responsible for supervision, standards and any necessary safeguards.

Support for community organisations

Greenhaven Council can work with independent charities, voluntary organisations, clubs, societies, resident groups, faith groups and heritage organisations. Where the council provides funding, facilities, commissioning or another formal form of support, the arrangement will state what the council is providing and what responsibility remains with the organisation.