Becoming a TFG Volunteer

What is involved in being a TFG volunteer? To get a better idea, read some of our Frequently Asked Questions. These include answers to helpful questions like:

Where do I live and what on?
How do I apply?
How much do I pay?

Expectations for TFG volunteers

Below are some details about what will be expected of you. Please read this carefully and contact TFG if you have any questions - you will be expected to take seriously the commitments described here:

1) All TFG volunteers take seriously the process of exploring faith. We do NOT expect people to begin with a particular viewpoint or theology: some volunteers have a very strong, personal faith, others have not yet made any commitment at all; some are firmly committed to one denomination or tradition, others are open to several. What all volunteers share is the desire to move forward in their Christian faith: to be honest about what’s good or bad, easy or difficult, helpful or painful and thus to find out more about the reality of God.

Practically, this means that you agree to:

find a local church or other fellowship group near your placement, and endeavour to get involved
put aside time to think through what you believe, and why, and to look for opportunities to talk about this with friends or others
to take an active part in conferences and other TFG activities, including the worship, discussions and studies

2) Respect the placement who hosts you by serving to the best of your ability. This would include:

expecting to work an average of 35 to 40 hours per week
engaging with placement staff through honest, sensitive, and positive sharing and discussion of issues
committing to support the aims and ethos of the placement
taking seriously the process of supervision, and the support offered by the 'TFG Friend'
respecting the accommodation provided by the placement
understanding, and carrying out, all relevant policies of the placement regarding good practice, health and safety, child protection issues, etc.

**Under employment law, a volunteer is not an employee of the placement. There is no binding commitment on either side, and the arrangement can be terminated at any time.

3) Take seriously your commitment to the whole year. Being away from home for so long will impact relationships, holidays, and finances. Therefore, these things should be considered before accepting a TFG placement.

4) Commit to maintaining contact with your TFG Field Officer. Though your Field Officer will be in contact with you, you will also need to keep them informed of relevant issues, problems, plans, etc.