Frequently asked questions on volunteering

Q - I want to volunteer - what do I do next?

A - Before contacting organisations it is a good idea to think about what you would like to do in terms of the acclivity and type of organisation you would like to volunteer for.  At the same time consider how much time you are able to give up. When it comes to finding current volunteering opportunities you can either:

• Search to do-it.org.uk online database of volunteering opportunities
  or...
• Get in touch with us to make an appointment with one of the team, who will talk you through some of the opportunities available.

Q - Can I be paid something to cover my expenses?
A - Yes, you can. It’s a good idea for organisations to cover all your extra expenses that arise from volunteering. That includes the cost of traveling to the volunteering and meals while volunteering.  Unfortunately not all organisations do pay expenses. This could be because they don’t have enough funds or simply because they don’t realise that volunteers should be paid expenses. Before starting your volunteering, ask about expenses.

Q - How much time do I need to volunteer for?
A - This is really up to you. You can find volunteering that only takes an hour a month - there’s a trend towards short-term volunteering requiring minimal commitment. Having said that, obviously the less time you have the harder it can be to find something that’s right for you.

You can volunteer at any time of the week, day or night. While much volunteering takes place in 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, the Samaritans, environmental and sports.

Q - Will I be interviewed? What will they ask me? What can I ask them?
A - Most organisations will probably not formally interview you before they place you but they will probably want to have an informal chat. However, if the role has some responsibility, for instance, for money, or if you will be working with people or with dangerous equipment, the interview may be more formal. In either case this gives you, and the organisation, a chance to assess each other and an opportunity to ask questions.

The sort of questions the organisation will probably want to ask you will vary from organisation to organisation and depend on the type of voluntary work you are interested in. However, a typical interviewer (formal or informal) may ask any of the following:

• why you are interested in volunteering
  
• what sort of voluntary work are you interested in
  
• what your particular skills are
  
• what new skills would you like to learn through your volunteer work
  
• how much time you have to offer

You can ask them anything that you feel unsure about. You may want to check some or all of the following:

• reimbursement of expenses
  
• training/qualification opportunities
  
• what variety will there be in the work?
  
• support/supervision (someone to talk to regularly about how you are getting on)
  
• how volunteering may effect my benefits, if you are claiming

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.

In addition to some form of meeting you may also be required to complete an application or registration form and in some cases provide references.

Q - Can I leave if I don’t like it?
A - Yes, of course. You are under no real obligation to keep volunteering for an organisation that you unhappy in. Having said that however it is always worth talking to somebody about this first. This could be your volunteer co-ordinator (if there is one), your supervisor or someone in the organisation who is responsible for you or someone who you have got on with well. You can then discuss with them why you feel unhappy and what you feel would improve your time as a volunteer in the organisation.

Q - Will I get training?
A - You need to ask your organisation this, as it varies a lot. Some organisations offer substantial training and support, but others don’t and expect you to learn on the job or contribute existing skills. It also depends on the type of work you will be doing. So if you’re spending one day clearing overgrowth from 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 should get much more training. 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.

Q - Do I need qualifications?
A - Usually you don’t. Some very skilled work may demand qualifications, but usually organisations offer training to enable you to do the work.

Q - Can I get a qualification?
A - It’s becoming more common for organisations to offer volunteers qualifications such as an NVQ, but it is still unusual. You may well learn a lot and gain valuable experience, skills and a reference though.

Q - Can I claim benefits while volunteering?
A - Yes, you can. The benefits regulations are clear that you can volunteer.

Click here to see the Jobcentre Plus's guide book to volunteering while on benefits

Volunteer Centre Sunderland, 4 Toward Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR1 2QF,
Tel (0191) 5678902, fax (0191) 5678906, sunderlandvc@aol.com MAP HERE