Volunteering FAQ’s
What is a Volunteer Centre?
The Volunteer Centre opened in Newark in November 1981 and has grown over the years to become an integral and much used part of the local community.
Our main aim is to recruit and place volunteers with local charities and voluntary organisations throughout the Newark and Sherwood District, enabling many of these groups to continue to offer their services to the community.
What can I do as a volunteer?
This list is endless! You might want to do something you already know or you might like to try something new. Don't be put off; don't think ‘well, I doubt I could do that'.
The organisations involving volunteers are really just after your time and your energy. If they accept you as a volunteer they will offer training to learn about the role, and often the training is really interesting in it's own right.
Here are a few examples:
- Administration - help an organisation with various office duties
- Media - design leaflets and posters for a charity
- Events - help plan and organise fundraising events
- IT - show other volunteers and staff how to use computers
- Environment - go out on a boat to clean up Leicester's waterways
- Sports - coach sports at after school clubs
- Mentoring - work with a young person to help with life's problems
This list is could go on hopefully it shows that whatever you'd like to get involved in, we can find you something to do!
How much time do I have to give as a volunteer?
The great thing about volunteering is that it's so varied and flexible you can always find something to fit in with your life style.
Before you start volunteering it is important to think about when, how often and for how long you can volunteer. Some organisations will ask for lots of commitment, maybe a couple of days training and then a few hours a week. Other organisations are more flexible and are happy to fit in with when you can give up time. There are also one off opportunities that require only a day or so of your time. If you really can't get out to volunteer, there's always volunteering over the internet.
Will I get expenses paid?
Although volunteer involving organisations are encouraged to pay reasonable expenses to volunteers such as travel and refreshments, there is no obligation for them to do so and they may not awlays be in a postion to do so.
Any expenses that you feel you need to help you volunteer (such as bus fare to travel to your place of volunteering) should be discussed with the organisation directly.
Will volunteering affect my benefits?
Volunteering should not affect any state benefits you receive. It is important that if you're on benefits you don't accept any payments other than having your out of pocket expenses. If you are on Job Seekers Allowance you will still need to provide evidence that you are seeking paid work, are available for job interviews, and willing to take up paid work at a week's notice.
It is best to keep in touch with the Job Centre about your volunteering so that they know you are keeping to the rules and you know that they know your situation. For instance, if you are on Incapacity Benefit you need to be keeping to such hours of activity as a doctor has suggested is good for your health but there is no limit to the number of hours you are permitted to do any longer.
Can I volunteer if I have a disability?
Yes! many organisations are fully equipped to deal with a variety of access and support needs.
Can I volunteer with a criminal conviction?
You will need to declare any criminal convictions to the organisation that you volunteer with. If you are working with young people or vulnerable adults you will be asked to complete a Criminal Bureau Records check which will inform the organisation of your criminal record.
It is best to be honest about any convictions this will not necessarily mean that you can not volunteer, but it may limit the type of volunteering you can do.
How old do you have to be to volunteer?
There is no legal age limit, although organisations involving volunteers do tend to have a minimum and maximum age limit because their insurance policy does not cover certain age groups (such as under 16s and over 80s).
I've applied for a volunteer role but not heard anything, what do I do?
Often in small charities, the volunteer manager works part time or is a volunteer themselves. If you have not heard from the organsiation within two weeks of applying, contact us and we will follow up for you.Do I need a Criminal Records Bureau check?
This will depend on the volunteer role that you are doing. If you are working with children or vulnerable adults, you can expect to be asked to complete a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
This will involve you filling in a form giving your name, current and previous addresses and giving proof of who you are and where you live. This will be sent to the Criminal Records Bureau who will let the organisation know whether you have any previous criminal convictions. This should not cost you anything.
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