BRIEFING PAPER 7
ICT Volunteering
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Do we need an ICT volunteer?
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How do we find a volunteer?
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What issues do we need to consider before we start?
ICT volunteers can make an important contribution – particularly if their skills and availability can be
carefully matched with the tasks that need to be undertaken. This briefing from ICT Champions provides
an introduction for organisations considering using volunteers to undertake ICT tasks.
1. Do we need an ICT volunteer?
An important first step is to decide if an ICT volunteer really is the right approach to meet what your
organisation needs. The LASA ICT Knowledgebase article ‘Who do you need: volunteer, consultant or staff’
outlines some of the key things to consider: www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk/volunteerconsultantorstaff
2. How do we find an ICT volunteer?
There are a variety of ways to recruit an ICT volunteer - here are some of the key ones:
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iT4Communities provides a brokering service to advertise your needs to a network of IT
professionals. There is currently a charge for this service. www.it4c.org.uk
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The Do-It website provides a database of around 1 million volunteering opportunities (including
ICT) at: www.do-it.org.uk For details of how to advertise an opportunity on Do-It, see
https://www.do-it.org/partners/postingopportunities/whoshouldpostwhere
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Use i-volunteer – a social action network which specialises in volunteering – to advertise your
opportunity, at: www.i-volunteer.org.uk
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Contact your local volunteer centre – this can be located at:
https://www.do-it.org/partners/postingopportunities/vcfinder
3. Recruiting ICT volunteers – some issues to consider
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What is a suitable project for a volunteer with ICT skills? The best projects are those with a clear
scope, a sensible deadline and a process for decision-making that involves the right people.
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It is important to treat your ICT volunteer like any other volunteer, and to make sure that they
receive appropriate support and guidance. Try to avoid a situation where they are working away
in isolation. While they may be using technical skills that others do not have, they will need the
support of others to understand what is needed and identify an appropriate solution.

Review the skills and experience of a potential volunteer and check out their availability and
flexibility – how well do these match what you need?
4. Managing and supporting ICT volunteers
While an ICT volunteer may seem an attractive option, particularly when funds are tight, your
organisation will need to devote time (and potentially other resources) to recruiting, supervising and
supporting an ICT volunteer. Here are some of the key activities/resources to consider:

Before a volunteer starts work: (i) decide on the scope of the work, (ii) put together a work plan,
(iii) establish who will be the contact for the volunteer, and (iv) arrange an initial briefing meeting.
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Induction - it is particularly important that the volunteer is provided with an appropriate induction to
your organisation, its policies and procedures (particularly those concerned with ICT), and the
work that they are being asked to undertake. For ideas on what to include see:
www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk/inductionmanual

Supervision and support - provide clear guidance on the tasks required, with a regular review of
how things are going and any further support needed. Be clear about what you want to ensure that
your volunteer does not undertake unnecessary work.
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Risk assessment – consider what action would be needed if things change, e.g. if a volunteer is no
longer able to provide the planned support, or if their availability changes?
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Other resources - e.g. space to work in, appropriate equipment, and travel expenses.
N.B. Confidentiality and legal responsibility: You should be conscious that you are responsible for the
safety and liability of a volunteer if there is an accident. You also have a duty to safeguard any
confidential information such as staff and client records. Be clear with your volunteers about what they
can and cannot access, and if necessary get them to sign an agreement on confidentiality.
5. Further information
For further information and ideas on working with ICT volunteers, see:
LASA ICT Knowledgebase
www.ictknowledgebase.org.uk/workingwithvolunteers
Techsoup
www.techsoup.org/learningcenter/volunteers
iT4Communities
www.it4communities.org.uk/it4c/open/charity/working.html
Regional ICT Champions
There is an ICT Champion in every region, a trusted expert who can answer frequently asked questions
about ICT and how it can help the third sector. The ICT Champions website tells you who they are and
offers short, jargon-free answers, useful links, factsheets, sample policies to download and a calendar of
ICT-related events and workshops. www.ictchampions.org.uk
Written by: ICT Champions
Issued date: February 2011
Creative Commons License: Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.0 UK: England & Wales.
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