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Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to start volunteering?
This may depend on several factors. Some organisations may be able to let you start straight away. However, if you are required to be interviewed, provide detailed references and to go through an introductory training course, it may be weeks or even months before you can start. Some organisations only recruit at certain times of the year.
Can volunteering help me to get a paid job?
Many people see volunteering as an effective way of preparing them for a paid job. Volunteering can provide new/improved skills, experience and personal benefits, such as increased confidence, which can assist a person to obtain a paid job. If you are looking to get a paid job by volunteering, it may help you to work out what you require from the experience, as it may pay you to choose your voluntary work very carefully.
How long will I be expected to volunteer for?
Generally there should be no expectation that you volunteer for a particular length of time. Some organisations ask that you are asked to commit to volunteering for a period, such as six months or a year. This usually applies to organisations that will be investing considerable resources in training you to carry out a particular role. Most organisations will not set any minimum commitment, but may have a reasonable expectation that you keep them informed about how long you will be available.
How many hours will I have to do?
There is no standard volunteer commitment in terms of hours per week/month. Some organisations like a weekly commitment, others are happy to accommodate less frequent and irregular commitments. Some volunteer roles require set time commitments, such as shift work on volunteer helplines, where the time commitment required is very clear, e.g. 3 hours per shift. Other roles are flexible and can be organised around the availability of the volunteers concerned. The paramount consideration is that you agree a commitment with a particular organisation and that you keep your superviser informed if you need to vary your attendance.
Do I need qualifications to volunteer?
In most cases, no you don’t. Some very skilled work may require qualifications, but usually organisations will offer training to enable you to do the work.
Most volunteering roles are designed to offer people the opportunity to perform a variety of tasks and learn new skills.
Will I lose my benefits by volunteering?
Doing volunteering work should not affect your entitlement to benefits, provided you are only reimbursed (paid back) for your agreed ‘out of pocket’ expenses.
The basic rules for volunteers on benefit are in the Benefits Agency leaflet: WK4 ‘Financial help if you are working or doing voluntary work'. Copies are available from Volunteer Centre Camden.
The local benefits office should provide up-to-date information. Further information and advice is available from Volunteering England via their helpline on 0800 028 3304 or their website www.volunteering.org.uk.
In some cases it has been apparent that Jobcentre’s have misinterpreted the rules and wrongly queried entitlement. If this happens, please either inform the organisation you are volunteering with, your local Volunteer Centre, or Volunteering England.
Will my travel and other expenses be reimbursed?
Although volunteering is unpaid work, Volunteer Centre Camden believes that no volunteer should be out-of-pocket due to involvement in volunteering. Most volunteer-involving organisations will reimburse all expenses that volunteers incur when carrying out volunteer duties that have been sanctioned by their designated supervisor. However, it is sensible to check the policy followed in a particular organisation. As most voluntary organisations run on very limited resources, many find it necessary to set limits on the type and level of expenses that will be reimbursed.
Will I need to provide references?
Most organisations will require a certain level of background information about you before they engage you as a volunteer and this will usually entail the request for some kind of reference. This would usually be a statement indicating a referee’s (i.e. a person who has known you for quite a while) opinion of your suitability for voluntary work. In practice most people should be able to do voluntary work, however, some volunteer roles involve contact with children and other vulnerable people. In such cases, an organisation may wish to obtain more formal references from employers and may also require a police check.
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