Supporting you 

Benefits

At Royal Voluntary Service, we value the contribution that you make and offer a benefits package including:

• 26 days annual leave (based on full-time hours) in addition to public holidays
• Contributory pension scheme
• Company sick pay scheme
• 2 x Salary Death in Service Benefit, subject to qualification
• Strong ethos of equality, diversity and inclusion
• Great work-life-balance and we are happy to talk about flexible and mobile working
• A proactive approach to employee wellbeing that allows our employees to flourish and be their best at work including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Supporting everyday healthcare by providing reimbursement for routine optical, dental and therapy treatments (up to a maximum allowance)
• Doctor Line access to a GP 24/7: from anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, employees can pick up the phone and arrange a call back from a practicing UK GP or clinical pharmacist
• Maternity, adoption, shared parental and paternity leave
• Career development and progression through our award-winning learning & development offer
• Discounts on gym memberships, digital fitness subscriptions and equipment at locations across the UK
• Royal Voluntary Service Rewards: Our online portal provides offers and savings on a huge range of goods and services from over 1,000 leading high street and online retailers.

What we’re working on…

• Access to ‘salary sacrifice’ benefits such as a Pension and Cycle to Work scheme

Induction, learning & development

Your induction and training will be specific for your role in the charity. We will support you by developing your existing skills, knowledge and behaviours and provide the opportunities and inspiration for you to learn new ones. 

As part of your induction programme and ongoing training you will be provided with:

• Core - Essential training to care and protect you, your team and Royal Voluntary Service
• Success - Optional training that will enable you to be more confident and competent in your role
• Growth - Optional training that will enable you to build your skills, reach your potential and support the charity sustainability.

Learning and development requirements and opportunities will be discussed with your manager on a regular basis via our Performance Development Review process.

Employee Assistance Programme

The Employee Assistance Programme is a free and confidential service that is completely independent from Royal Voluntary Service.

This programme aims to support the competing demands of our work, personal and family lives by offering a little extra support to manage life’s everyday challenges. Available by telephone, email, instant messaging and online, your EAP provides free, confidential information and support to help you gain a better work-life balance.

What can you call them about?

• I’m worried my daughter is under too much exam stress…
• My debt is mounting up – I don’t know where to turn…
• What are the care options for my elderly father?
• I’ve been mis-sold a car – what are my consumer rights?
• I need to find good local childcare for my baby…
• I’m moving house – any tips to make it less stressful?
• I'm not coping with a bereavement
• There are changes at work

…and many more situations that may leave you feeling upset or anxious.

They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on 365 days a year and are able to provide confidential assistance by phone, email or instant messaging.

Mental health & wellbeing

Royal Voluntary Service recognises the importance of looking after our mental as well as physical health. Your good health, and that of our volunteers and clients, is a priority for us and central to one of our values, ‘Care and Protect’. That’s why we’re committed to raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing and giving you the tools you need to help yourself and each other.

Our wellbeing hub is designed to bring together resources to help you support your own mental health and wellbeing. You will find access to our mental health First Aiders who are trained employees who you can contact confidentially for mental health support at work.

There is also a wide range of video resources on topics such as resilience, healthy living and positivity, a bookshelf with recommended reading and a Healthy Mind, Healthy Body area with access to online exercise classes, meditations and shared feel good recipes from our employees.

The Forum

Royal Voluntary Service encourages your suggestions and feedback. The employee forum is a two-way sounding board between employees and our Chief Executive.

The Forum gives you:

• A channel through which to ask questions, raise concerns or offer positive suggestions to our CEO that may not be appropriate to raise with your line manager. These can be about the way the charity does its work; and how it looks after its employees and volunteers.

The Forum gives our CEO:

• The staff’s perspective on the implementation of Royal Voluntary Service’s strategy and plans.
• A ‘temperature check’ on the mood and confidence of employees.
• Feedback on the effectiveness of internal communications and ideas for improving them.
• Feedback on proposals to change existing organisational policies or introduce new ones; and on the way proposals are drafted. However, The Forum is not expected to approve such policies or provide expert technical input.

WRVS Benevolent Trust

Many of our past or present volunteers and employees have the smallest of needs which, with a grant from the WRVS Benevolent Trust, would make a very big difference to their lives. Volunteers and employees have made a valuable contribution to the lives of others and now may be in need of help themselves.

The WRVS Benevolent Trust is a separate charity and provides grants to help with making everyday life easier, or at times of crisis, for present or former WVS, WRVS or Royal Voluntary Service volunteers or employees. Past grants have provided all manner of things that can make life a little easier.

The WRVS Benevolent Trust also gives Youth Bursary Awards to assist current Royal Voluntary Service volunteers between the ages of 16 – 25 in taking part in events or opportunities which will benefit their personal development and future career.