Volunteer placements 
We aim to send volunteers on six-month placements 4 times a year departing in January, April, July and October. However, we are currently recruiting for volunteers to start March 2012 onwards.


We hold regular information days where we meet potential volunteers, present the work done by the charity, give an opportunity for prospective volunteers to ask questions and meet previous volunteers. Interviews are also held at these events.


We are looking for individuals who have experience of working with people with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities. We have had volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds including occupational therapy, nursing, social work and international development.

Volunteer Specification
The volunteer will be expected to:

• Have at least 2 years experience working with people with mental health problems and/or learning difficulties.
• A professional qualification in this area is desirable.
• Be over 18.
• Have the right to work in Europe.
• Have good health and stamina.
• Be able to work with others as part of a team.
• Be able and willing to support others.
• Be able to adapt to different conditions and cultures.
• Be able to build good relationships with professional staff.
• Be able to work independently and show initiative.
• Be able to cope with stress.
• Be able to facilitate group and 1:1 activities with patients.
• Be able to empathise with patients and staff.
• Have advocacy skills.
• Be aware of health, safety and infection issues.
• Be able to assess risk and take appropriate action.

It is hoped that they will:

• Have a willingness to learn a new language.
• Have some knowledge of Romania.
• Have experience in working and/or volunteering in a developing country.
• Have fundraising skills.
• Have a sense of humour.

Financial commitment 
For volunteers on a 6-month placement, VfMH will cover the following costs: 
Flights to and from the UK to Romania, and travel from the airport to the volunteer house. 
Insurance for the duration of your placement (details available on request).
Utility bills and rent of the volunteer accommodation in Tarnaveni.
The cost of calls made to and from VfMH whilst on placement.
The cost of travelling to and from a post-placement debriefing session.
Volunteers are expected to cover their daily expenses (food, travel and leisure) and to ensure that they will be able to do this before committing to a placement. 
All volunteers are asked to fundraise £500 either before or during their placement. On acceptance of a placement, we ask volunteers for £100 to demonstrate their commitment to the project

Selection of volunteers 
All volunteers must complete the recruitment and training process which includes: 
Completing an application form - Please phone Helen on: 020 8993 4794 or contact us through the website to request a form
Attending an information day and interview
Attended a training weekend
Completing an enhanced criminal records bureau (CRB) check
VfMH receiving two references 
The hospital have also requested that all volunteers undertake a medical and HIV test. VfMH do not ask to see these but they must be taken to the hospital at the commencement of the placement.
Due to the size of the organisation we are only able to accept UK-based volunteers who have a UK or EU passport.

Long term involvement
VfMH rely on previous volunteers to maintain the work of the charity. The current management team is made up from previous volunteers, and recently returned volunteers are encouraged to attend meetings and contribute to the future work. 

Recruitment
We try to maintain a continuous programme of four volunteers, working for six months each. We have 4 placement start dates per year. We aim to send volunteers for periods of six months but will consider placements for less time (minimum of 2 months).

We are currently looking for volunteers to start placement during 2012 although we are interested to hear from applicants interested in later placements. We are accepting applications on an onoing basis.

Once you have submitted your application, our recruitment co-ordinator will be in touch following short listing to let you know if you have been successful along with the dates of our next information session and interviews. If you send a completed application form earlier we will be able to shortlist you sooner and inform you if you have a place at the information day, when are where it will be held.

If you are unable to attend this information day we have approximately 4 information sessions a year. We are happy to accept application forms at any time during the year and we will shortlist you as and when these are received and if accepted will invite you to the next information session.

Recruitment sessions typically involve an opportunity to speak with VfMH personel and recently returned volunteers and to look at photos and literature in order to find out more about VfMH and the work we are involved in.

Prospective volunteers are then verbally interviewed by two representitives of VfMH and have the opportunity to ask any questions themselves.

If you are successful at interview you will be invited to a training weekend (date to be confirmed). It is essential that all volunteers complete the training before starting placement.

If you are interested in applying to be a volunteer with VfMH please contact us through the website or download the application form from the downloads page.