Managing boundaries
During your volunteering with us it is important that you feel confident in managing boundaries.
This guide is relevant to all of our volunteering roles offered by Volunteer Responders, but it might refer to a site lead which is only relevant if you are providing Site Support or Driving Support.
Understanding and maintaining boundaries are crucial to ensuring a positive experience for both volunteers and the people you support. Here are some ways to do this effectively:
Top tips to help you with managing boundaries
- Clear expectations: Ensure you are clear of your role and responsibilities before you start. This will help you to avoid misunderstandings and ensures everyone knows what to expect. If you are not clear, please refer to the Getting You Started Guide for your role that you are expected to read as part of your volunteering. These guides clearly outline what your volunteer role entails, including specific tasks and responsibilities. This helps avoid any confusion about what you can and cannot do. If you are attending a site, please ensure you clarify expectations with your site lead at the start of a shift.
- Discuss boundaries early: If appropriate and you feel comfortable to do so have an open conversation about boundaries at the beginning of your volunteer task. This includes discussing what types of support you can provide and what falls outside your scope. Remember to follow guidance on when tasks can be completed via GoodSAM and not to contact people outside of your volunteering.
- Communicate effectively: Be professional and honest in your communication and if you feel a boundary has been crossed explain it to the person you are supporting.
Clearly state your boundaries without ambiguity and in a positive way. Use "I" statements to express your needs and feelings, such as "I don’t feel comfortable with the language you have used, I would prefer you to refrain from using this during our call”. Using ‘I prefer’ instead of ‘don’t’ is a more positive way to frame your request.
Approach the conversation with a calm and respectful tone. This helps prevent the other person from feeling defensive and promotes a constructive dialogue.
If a situation feels uncomfortable or beyond your scope, discuss it with a site lead if you are volunteering at a site or contact our support team on 0808 196 3382. - Set time limits: Establish clear time commitments for your volunteering. Let the people you support know when you are available and for how long. This helps manage expectations around your availability.
- Provide updates: Keep the people you support informed about any changes to your availability or role. This transparency helps manage expectations and reduces the risk of misunderstandings.
- Respect privacy: Maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy and individuality of the people you are supporting.
- Establish professional relationships: Keep interactions professional and avoid becoming too personally involved or sharing personal details, for example only sharing your first name but not your last name. This helps maintain a healthy and respectful dynamic.
If you are asked to share something you feel uncomfortable with, please explain this to the person you are supporting. It is also important you recognise their boundaries and respond appropriately if they tell you they feel uncomfortable.
You can remind yourself of the Volunteer Agreement in our Key Information for volunteers which sets out what you can expect from us and what we expect from our volunteers. - Dealing with pushback on your boundaries: Handling pushback on your boundaries can be challenging, but it's important to stay firm and respectful. Reiterate your boundaries clearly and consistently. Let the person know that your boundaries are non-negotiable and important for your well-being. Use "I" statements to express how you feel and why the boundary is important to you, such as "I feel overwhelmed when my boundaries are not respected".
Show empathy by acknowledging the other person's feelings. You can say something like, "I am aware this might be difficult for you, but this boundary is important for me". You don't need to over-explain or justify your boundaries. A simple and clear explanation is often enough.
Clearly outline the consequences of not respecting your boundaries. For example, if someone continues to use language you find disrespectful despite your request not to, you might tell them you are going to end the call/interaction. - Practice self-awareness: Reflect on your own needs and limits regularly. This helps you communicate your boundaries more effectively and ensures they are aligned with your wellbeing.
- Seek support: If you encounter any issues or feel overwhelmed, seek guidance from your site lead or contact our support team on 0808 196 3382.
These tips can help create a positive and productive environment for both volunteers and the people that are being supported. If you have any specific concerns or scenarios you'd like to discuss please contact our support team on 0808 196 3382.
