FAQs: find the answers to your questions

We have tried to answer the most common questions people have in the following section. However, if you cannot find the answer you need below, please use our e-guidance system, email us or come along to a drop-in session.

1. What is voluntary work?
2. What is the not-for-profit sector?
3. Why should I volunteer?
4. What can I do as a volunteer?
5. How much time will it take up?
6. Can I volunteer near to where I live?
7. Can I volunteer for more than one charity/school?
8. Do people get jobs at the places they volunteered?
9. Can I do something related to my course?
10. What do I do if I want to get involved?
11. What have other University volunteers done?
12. Will I get paid?
13. Would just a couple of hours a week be enough?
14. Do I need qualifications?
15. What training will I get?
16. What if I change my mind after starting to volunteer?
17. Will they give me a reference?
18. Can I accredit my volunteering?
19. What are Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures (Police checks)?

20. I am on a non-degree course, how many hours can I volunteer?

1. What is voluntary work?

Voluntary work is working without payment (or working for minimum expenses, i.e. travel/food costs), for a not-for-profit organisation, such as a charity or a school.

2. What is the not-for-profit sector?

The sector is made up of a mix of organisations, ranging from small local community groups to large, national, multi-branch organisations, some which are direct service providers and some fundraisers and grant givers. However, they will all have certain key features in common. They will:

Be value led, i.e. they will have been established with the objective of addressing a social need, rather than simply to provide a service or generate revenue
Be non profit making, or will reinvest revenue for the purpose of serving their client group or achieving their objective
Generally use volunteer staff in some way (often relying heavily upon them)
Not be under direct political control (although they must comply with all UK legislation, they cannot be controlled or adversely influenced by government)

(Source: Charity People)

3. Why should I volunteer?

There is no correct answer for this one. Different people volunteer for different reasons and no one reason is necessarily more valid than the next. Here are just some of the reasons people may choose to volunteer:

to do something for a cause they feel passionate about
to be able to 'give something back' to their community or the wider society
to try something completely new and to enrich their lives with fresh experiences
to enhance existing or develop new skills
to gain valuable and relevant work experience for future job applications
to meet new people and have fun!!

4. What can I do as a volunteer?

Well, pretty much everything. From large National/International charities to local community groups, there are thousands of organisations seeking volunteers to perform various roles, either on an ongoing basis or as a one-off activity. The only limitation to the voluntary work that we promote is that we ONLY work with the not-for-profit sector. Register to find out more.

5. How much time will it take up?

This really depends on the time you have to offer, but will need to be agreed, in advance, with the organisation with whom you volunteer. Some volunteers commit to an ongoing commitment, of perhaps 1-3 hours a week, over the course of a term or academic year, whilst others are able to sign up to a full-time commitment, such as a gap-year placement through an International charity. If your time is more limited, or you work full-time, you can volunteer in the evenings or at the weekends, or participate in one-off activities.

6. Can I volunteer near to where I live?

We do concentrate our efforts in the communities immediate to the University's North and City campus, but can help you to find something elsewhere, if you'd prefer.

7. Can I volunteer for more than one charity?

Obviously your academic work must take priority but, as long as you have the time, there is nothing to stop you volunteering for more than one opportunity. It's a good idea to start with one and see how you get on, before taking on the time commitment of another as, obviously, it's best to avoid starting something and then have to drop out because you're finding it difficult to manage. However, some people do successfully volunteer for 2 different roles, perhaps ½ day a week providing administrative support to a busy local charity and one evening a fortnight mentoring a young person. Neither takes an excessive amount of time and both can develop your skills, as well as enrich your life.

8. Do people get jobs at the places they volunteered?

This is not something that we can guarantee and you should never start some voluntary work with the assumption that this will happen but there have been instances where keen and reliable volunteers have found paid work in the organisation in which they have volunteered.

9. Can I do something related to my course?

Well...it all depends! In some cases, it's fairly simple to find something that relates directly to a specific course; in others, the voluntary work might not relate so obviously but will, in fact, provide you with fantastic, relevant experience and enhance job-related skills, such as the way that you interact with people, and manage your time and workload, etc. The only way to know if we've something for you is to register!

10. What do I do if I want to get involved?

Do some research. Even people who think they know what they want to do can change their minds once they're aware of the range of voluntary work out there. Read through our guidance on what to think about when choosing voluntary work and then register to see what's available. If you'd like to volunteer in a field related to your course or to your proposed future career, it might be an idea to speak to a Careers Adviser or to your course tutor, either of whom should be able to recommend activities/roles, which might enhance your skills and experience. If you'd like to speak to us at any stage of this process, come along to a drop-in session.

When approaching the organisation you should ask to speak to the Volunteer Manager/Coordinator, if no other contact name/job title has been supplied. They should be able to answer any general questions you have about the role and tell you how to apply.

The application process could simply be an informal chat over the phone or face-to-face, or could require you to complete an application form and provide references, and, in certain cases, complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) form (see Q.19 for further information on CRBs).

Unless the organisation is looking for someone with specific skills or experience, they will want to check, at the first meeting they have with you, that you have the basic skills required for the post so remember to act appropriately. If may be an unpaid placement but treat it like an interview: dress smartly, don't be late, show that you know a little about the organisation and the role on offer, and sell yourself.

It's also worth remembering that, while some organisations accept all volunteers who apply, others have selection processes so there can be competition for a volunteering position just as there is for a paid job. If you are unsuccessful the first time, don't be disheartened - there are many other voluntary posts available!

11. What have other University volunteers done?

Reach works with both staff and students at the University and has supported volunteers in placements including:

teaching English to refugees and asylum seekers at an after-college club
working with a national victim-support scheme to provide support
developing a CD-Rom to publicise the work of a national charity
providing literacy and numeracy learning support to primary-school children
coordinating a networking website for AIDS NGOs in KwaZulu-Natal
driving a minibus for an organisation that supports those with disabilities
preparing food for delivery to Londoners housebound with HIV-related illnesses
sports coaching for schoolchildren
mentoring young people leaving the care system
volunteering as a School Governor at 2 primary schools in Newham
delivering Science, Maths or Engineering workshops to secondary-school pupils
various one-off 'environmental' activities (i.e. tree planting, painting, gardening)

To read more about what volunteers feel they've gained from their experiences, click here.

12. Will I get paid?

You will not be paid for the time that you give to volunteer but you will not be left out of pocket, i.e. reasonable expenses incurred as a result of your volunteering, such as transport costs, should be reimbursed.

13. Would just a couple of hours a week be enough?

Many potential volunteers have other obligations (work/study/home) that limit the time that they are able to give but still find that they are able to learn new skills and gain valuable experience through their volunteering - whether it be a one-off activity or a weekly/fortnightly commitment of a couple of hours.

14. Will they give me a reference?

Depending on the length of involvement, many volunteer-involving organisations can provide references for volunteers. Again, depending on how much contact Reach has had with you, we may be able to write a reference and/or provide recognition of the time you have given to volunteering.

15. Do I need qualifications?

Most voluntary work does not require formal qualifications although some may request particular skills/experience. All those undertaking volunteering will have, at least, an induction session to introduce them to the work and to the environment in which they will be placed. Where necessary and appropriate, the organisations offering the opportunity will provide training.

Again, this can vary, but generally you should expect:

An induction where you find out more about the organisation and its policies

To be told who your supervisor is and how to contact them
To have adequate training to be able to carry out your role
To have ongoing support and supervision
To have out-of-pocket expenses covered (e.g. reasonable travel expenses). If, for any reason, it's not possible for the organisation to reimburse your expenses, contact us.

For further information on what to expect, read the Policies.

16. What training will I get?

All of the University's partner organisations offer new volunteers an induction programme and appropriate training, where training is required. Some volunteers are also able to benefit from the opportunity to participate in the staff-development sessions offered by the organisation at which they work. Reach also organises free training sessions for current and prospective volunteers. Previous sessions have covered project management, fundraising, mental health awareness, diversity, coaching skills, and dealing with aggressive behaviour, amongst others. You can apply for training in the same way you apply for voluntary work. Do a simple search and see what training is available. Then apply!

17. What if I change my mind after starting to volunteer?

We will endeavour to ensure that you are placed in an activity and organisation in which you will be happy by spending time identifying the skills and experience that you have and those that you are hoping to gain, as well as establishing in what kind of environment and over what period of time you would like to volunteer, before matching you to available voluntary work. However, there are no obligations for you to continue if you are unhappy or if your personal/work situation changes to an extent that makes volunteering impossible. The important thing is to let us know of any problems, as we may be able to intervene and help, and to ensure that you give the organisation as much notice as possible if you do have to stop.

18. Can I accredit my volunteering?

There are several ways to get accreditation for your volunteering, both through national schemes and through University modules. Click here to find out more.

19. What are Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures (Police checks)?

Anyone wishing to volunteer on a project that involves working with children or vulnerable adults will need to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure or Police Check.

Applicants will be provided with a form to complete, after which we (or the volunteering organisation overseeing the project) will meet with you to check various forms of personal ID (guidance will be provided on both the completion of the form and the types of ID required). The form is then sent to the CRB, where your details will be checked against the Police National Computer system. If you have a criminal record it will be stated on your CRB disclosure certificate, 2 copies of which will be sent out, one to you at your home address and one to the university or volunteering organisation.

The clearance process can take some time and, although there are organisations willing to take on volunteers whilst the check is in progress (as long as they are never left unsupervised), others insist on the clearance being received before the volunteering starts. Therefore, it's a good idea to complete the form as soon as possible after you decide you'd like to take part in an activity for which CRB clearance is deemed necessary.

NB: having a criminal record does not automatically prevent individuals from volunteering but if you are concerned or have any other questions, please refer to: www.crb.gov.ukor contact us.

The online tracking service provides customers with a facility to track the progress of their Disclosure Application Form.

20. I am on a non-degree course, how many hours can I volunteer?

The Home Office changed their rules for students who are studying on non-degree courses. Their working hours have been reduced to 10 hours per week, this would include any volunteering hours. This would apply to students studying on short course, such as for instance a short English language course.

FAQs: find the answers to your questions

Menu

Already a Member?