Let's help.
Can I volunteer?
Anyone can volunteer. People already in employment, full-time or part-time, retired people, students and unemployed people. Volunteering is for everyone!
I’m under 18 - can I volunteer?
Young people can volunteer in some organisations, although 16 to 17-year-olds have more roles open to their age group.
Under 16?
You can still volunteer with a parent’s or guardian’s consent but difficulties with insurance mean that only a few organisations take on volunteers who are under 16. What are your options?
I’m working full-time - can I still volunteer?
Yes, there are roles that run evenings and weekends. For example: campaigning, fundraising, staffing helplines, trusteeships, befriending, working on environmental projects or sports activities.
I’ve got a criminal conviction - can I volunteer?
You can and many people with criminal convictions do. It all depends on the nature of your conviction, how recent it was, the kind of voluntary role you are interested in and the organisation where you wish to volunteer. Check with the charity.
Can I claim benefits whilst volunteering?
Yes, you can. Volunteering is recognised as giving you a better chance of finding paid work. You can volunteer as many hours as you like while you are on benefits, as long as you still meet the terms for getting them.
It is always a good idea to discuss your volunteering with Social Security so they are in the picture.
Can volunteering lead to paid employment?
Volunteering can really help you get a job - but not always as quickly as you’d like. To get the most out of volunteering it helps to have realistic expectations.
If you take on a volunteer role and are committed, you will get huge benefits. For example, you can:
The experiences you gain through volunteering will really help when you come to complete job applications and do interviews. But of course, you will still have to apply and compete for any job. You may or may not get the first job you apply for, but you will be on the road to getting paid work.
To get the most out of your volunteering, it helps to consider what you would like to gain, such as particular skills or experience.
And, volunteering should be something you actively want to do.
Can I volunteer together with my family or friends?
Yes, you can but the choice of roles will not be as varied because often organisations are looking to fill one volunteer vacancy. However, some volunteering is done in groups and two or more people can easily join together. Examples are practical conservation and fundraising and one-off events.
Will I be interviewed?
Most organisations don't ask you to a formal interview before they take you on as a volunteer, but they will probably invite you in for an informal chat. If the role involves some responsibility (for instance handling money) or if you will be working with people, or with specialist equipment, the interview may be more formal. In either case this initial meeting gives you, and the organisation, a chance to get to know one another.
The sort of questions the organisation will probably want to ask you will vary from one organisation to another and will depend on the type of voluntary work you are interested in. However, a typical interviewer (formal or informal) may ask any of the following:
You can ask them anything that you feel unsure about. You may want to check some or all of the following:
An informal chat or interview can also give you an opportunity to look at where you will be volunteering and meet some of the other staff and volunteers. You may also be required to complete an application or registration form and in some cases provide references.
When can I start?
It can take a little while for an organisation to get back to you after an initial enquiry. Contact them again if you hear nothing after two weeks. Then the application and recruitment process may take a few weeks. One thing that often takes the most time is the police check (DBS Check), though not all voluntary roles require one. Ask if there are any tasks that you can do whilst you are waiting for the CRB check to come through.
How much time do I need to volunteer for?
This depends on you and the nature of the role you're interested in. You can find volunteering that takes only an hour a month. However, the less time you have the harder it can be to find something that’s right for you or something that you can get your teeth into!
You can volunteer at any time of the week. While a lot of volunteering takes place during office hours, you can volunteer at evenings and weekends too, again depending on what you want to do. Typical volunteering out of office hours includes befriending, campaigning, helplines, environmental projects, sports and being a member of an organisation’s management committee or Trustee Board.
Can I leave if I don’t like it?
Yes, of course. You are under no obligation to keep volunteering for an organisation if for any reason you don’t like the volunteering you are doing.
However, it is always worth talking to somebody before leaving as it might be possible to address and solve whatever is making you unhappy and this might mean you no longer feel you want to leave. Also, if you’re experiencing a problem others might too. By raising a problem you might improve the situation for everyone.
If you have real concerns about an organisation please do contact us.
Do I need particular skills to volunteer?
It depends on the voluntary role. Often no particular skill is required. If a skill is needed this should be made clear in the task profile when you contact the organisation.
Do I need qualifications?
Usually, you don’t. Some very skilled work may require qualifications but usually, organisations offer training to enable you to do the voluntary work they require.
Will I be trained to do the role?
Yes, you will be trained. The amount of training offered depends on the type of work you will be doing. If you’re spending one-day clearing overgrown paths, expect about 15 minutes at the start being told what to do, how to use the tools and what health and safety precautions to take. But if you volunteer to give welfare benefits advice you might get 10 two-hour training sessions spread over several weeks before you see a client, plus ongoing training to keep you up-to-date.
You can ask about training when you get in touch with an organisation about volunteering. It varies a lot. Some organisations offer substantial training and support, others don’t and expect you to learn as you go along or to use existing skills.
Can I get a qualification through volunteering?
It’s becoming more common for organisations to offer volunteers qualifications such as an NVQ, but it is still unusual. This does not mean you will not learn a lot and gain valuable experience and skills, which you can include on your CV. Volunteering can also provide you with a reference if you are applying for jobs.
