Guide · Charities & Nonprofits · By the AutoScribble Team · Published 22 September 2026
Planning volunteer onboarding videos
Short answer
Create a short series of three or four videos — welcome and mission, the role itself, safeguarding basics and who to contact — each 60 to 120 seconds and built from your volunteer handbook. Have your safeguarding lead approve that video's script, and send the series before a volunteer's first shift so induction time goes on practice.
Who this guide is for
Volunteer coordinators and managers in charities and community organisations. It's part of our charities & nonprofits resources.
What you'll need
- Volunteer handbook
- Safeguarding policy summary
- Role descriptions
- Contact list
Step by step
- 1
Start with why
Volunteers stay when they understand the difference they make.
- 2
Role-specific where needed
A shop volunteer and a befriender need different role videos.
- 3
Safeguarding basics
What to do if they're worried — approved by your safeguarding lead.
- 4
Who to contact
Names, roles and routes.
- 5
Send before day one
Include links in your welcome email.
Illustrative volunteer series
| Video | Content | Length | Approver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome | Mission and impact | 90s | Volunteer manager |
| Your role | Tasks and a typical shift | 2 min | Team lead |
| Keeping people safe | Safeguarding basics and reporting | 2 min | Safeguarding lead |
| Who to ask | Contacts and support | 60s | Volunteer manager |
Illustrative example written for this guide.
Copy the AutoScribble prompt
Complete prompt
Create a 2-minute landscape whiteboard video welcoming new volunteers to [charity]. Cover our mission, what the role involves, the key safeguarding points in the extract below, and who to contact. Friendly and clear; use only the information provided. [Paste handbook extract]
Common mistakes
- One long video
- Safeguarding without lead approval
- Outdated contacts
Review before publishing
- Matches handbook
- Safeguarding lead approved
- Contacts current
Questions
Do videos replace safeguarding training?
No. They introduce the basics; required safeguarding training still applies.