Preparing for a volunteer’s first day

This guide provides practical advice on preparing for a volunteer’s first day. It outlines key steps to ensure volunteers feel welcomed, informed and ready to begin their role.

The resource supports organisations to plan structured introductions, ensuring volunteers understand their environment, responsibilities and available support.

Benefits for volunteer managers

• support smooth and welcoming volunteer onboarding
• set clear expectations for the volunteer from the outset
• bolster early engagement and confidence
• contribute to positive volunteer experiences and retention.

How to apply this resource

This guide is most useful when preparing new volunteers for their first shift, planning onboarding processes, or strengthening early engagement and support practices.