Rewards & Benefits
There are many rewards you will gain from volunteering with the IMB, such as being part of a committed team. You will also gain transferable skills which will benefit both you and your employer.
Gain valuable skills and work experience
Analytical skills
You will be using the evidence you gather from a lot of sources, triangulating the information and building up a picture.
Listening & communicating
Your liaison with both staff and prisoners / detained people will develop your stakeholder management skills.
Working as a team
You will be working closely with the rest of your local Board to monitor conditions and treatment of individuals.
Managing your time
From completing visits to writing reports, you will learn to balance your volunteering commitments with your other responsibilities.
Training and continuous development
During the first nine to twelve months of volunteering you will shadow experienced members of your local Board. You will also be allocated a mentor who will support you throughout your professional development.
Expenses
Although this is an unpaid role, we pay travel and subsistence expenses, childcare/carer costs and, in certain circumstances, contributions towards loss of earnings.
Employers really value volunteers
Being an IMB volunteer is recognised as a public duty under the Employment Rights Act 1996. Because of this employers are obliged to allow you some time off for IMB work. But there are lots more reasons why employers encourage people to volunteer.
Volunteering for the IMB can help boost job satisfaction and evidence that a company is more socially responsible.
Pride and productivity
When employees volunteer for the IMB, they are making a difference to local communities. Volunteering can enhance job satisfaction, engagement and lead to happier, more productive employees.
Key workplace skills
IMB volunteers gain many transferable skills through volunteering in prison or immigration detention facilities. This will include working as a team, decision making and dealing with people from many different backgrounds.
Virtual recruitment events
Hear from current volunteers at our upcoming virtual recruitment events: 26 June, 5-6pm (prisons), 9 July, 5-6pm (prisons), 10 July 5-6pm (immigration detention estate), 31 July, 5-6pm (prisons)
You will have the opportunity to hear directly from IMB members talk about their experiences, ask questions and learn more about the role consists of from those who are currently volunteering.
Find volunteering vacancies
See if there’s a volunteering opportunity in a prison or immigration detention facility near you.