--- title: Managing volunteers date: 2026-08-05T15:29:00+01:00 author: Polly Taylor canonical_url: "https://cuf.org.uk/resources/delivering-projects/volunteering-resources" section: Pages --- --- # Managing volunteers A comprehensive guide to working well with volunteers, with editable templates for risk assessments, expectations, problem solving, expenses and more. ![Man stood behind a serving hatch next to a hot water urn.](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_1008x567_crop_center-center_82_none/20240911-IMG_2272-Portrayed-Photography.jpg?v=1786459333) Volunteers work best when they know what they’re doing, why it matters, and who to ask for help. This guide sets out a clear, practical approach to make that happen, grounded in real church and community settings, with templates ready to adapt for your own situation. ### What’s inside 1. **Scoping how you work with volunteers:** Agree the principles that guide your approach. 2. **Safeguarding good practice:** Create a safer space for everyone, covering both children and adults at risk. 3. **Clarifying tasks:** Make sure every volunteer knows what they’re doing and why. 4. **Managing formalities:** Templates covering expenses, risk assessment, confidentiality, insurance and more. 5. **Recruiting volunteers:** Where to find them, how to match people to roles, and how to welcome those with additional support needs. 6. **Building good relationships:** Practical ways to help volunteers feel valued, communicated with, and part of the team. 7. **Encouraging development:** Support volunteers to grow in confidence and take on new challenges. 8. **Tackling difficulties:** A step-by-step process for resolving problems fairly, plus solutions for common scenarios. 9. **Templates** for policies, forms, checklists and case studies so you can get started right away. [ ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_120xAUTO_fit_center-center_82_none/volunteers-web-cover-1_2026-08-05-150955_cxez.png?v=1785942595) Working well with volunteers guide PDF 2.3 MB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/CUF-Working_well_with_volunteers-Oct26-compressed.pdf?v=1790868616) Editable templates for managing volunteers [ Volunteer policy template (opens in a new tab) DOC 480 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/2-Volunteer-policy-CUF280224.doc?v=1786453351) [ Clarifying tasks checklist (opens in a new tab) DOCX 435 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/4-Clarifying-tasks-checklist-CUF280224.docx?v=1786459555) [ Example volunteer role description (opens in a new tab) DOC 462 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/7-Sample-volunteer-role-description-CUF280224.doc?v=1786459558) [ Volunteer role description template (opens in a new tab) DOCX 434 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/8-Volunteer-role-description-template-CUF280224.docx?v=1786459560) [ Mutual expectations template (opens in a new tab) DOC 466 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/10-Mutual-expectations-template-CUF280224.doc?v=1786459562) [ Volunteer expenses form (opens in a new tab) DOC 467 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/11-Volunteer-expenses-form-CUF280224.doc?v=1786459563) [ Risk assessment template (opens in a new tab) DOC 481 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/13-Risk-assessment-template-CUF280224.doc?v=1786459564) [ Risk assessment template numerical rating (opens in a new tab) DOC 499 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/14-Risk-assessment-template-numerical-rating-CUF280224.doc?v=1786459565) [ Volunteer enquiry form (opens in a new tab) DOC 468 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/15-Volunteer-enquiry-form-template-CUF280224.doc?v=1786459566) [ Problem solving procedure template (opens in a new tab) DOC 465 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/16-Problem-solving-procedure-template-CUF280224.doc?v=1786459567) [ Contact information template (opens in a new tab) DOC 468 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/17-Volunteer-contact-information-template-CUF280224.doc?v=1786459568) [ Recruitment checklist (opens in a new tab) DOCX 435 KB ](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/documents/18-Recruiting-volunteer-checklist-CUF280224.docx?v=1786459569) ## Other resources Learn about the life-changing impact of volunteering and watch our webinar for tips on handling some of the most common issues volunteer managers face. - ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_528x297_crop_center-center_82_none/MSP_CUF_23APR26_8825.jpg?v=1786436909) ### [Volunteering makes all the difference](https://cuf.org.uk/about-us/news/volunteering-makes-all-the-difference) Opportunities to connect, boost confidence and gain work skills. How could you mobilise volunteers in your local area? - ![](https://cuf.org.uk/assets/images/_528x297_crop_center-center_82_none/20241002-IMG_3532-Portrayed-Photography.jpg?v=1786460701) ### [Volunteering crisis point](https://cuf.org.uk/resources/delivering-projects/volunteering-crisis-point) Are you having problems with recruiting volunteers, negativity, volunteering simply not operating well, or conflict within those who are working on your projects or in your church? We take a look at some common difficulties with volunteering, with expert Julia Hill and practitioner Jo Cox.