What is volunteering?

Who can tell me more about volunteering?

What kinds of volunteering are available?

What kinds of people volunteer?

Will my age matter?

Why do people volunteer?

Will volunteering lead to paid employment?

How much time will I have to give?

Do I need skills or experience?

Will I receive training?

Will my benefits be affected?

Will my travelling expenses be paid?

Do I need references or police checks?

What can I expect as a volunteer?

What will an organisation expect of me?

Will I have an employment contract?

What do I do next?

What is volunteering?
Volunteering is any activity or work in the community for which someone undertakes a specific task but receives no payment. A volunteer freely gives his or her own time to a job without financial recompense. The work itself is generally for charities, community organisations and agencies that offer services or support to the community rather than to make profit. Voluntary work can range from small self-help groups to larger health and local authorities.

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Who can tell me more about volunteering?
We can! That's why Volunteering Lancashire and the various Volunteer Centres are here. We’ll simply give you information and advice about what is available and what is involved. You are under no obligation to commit yourself to anything and you can spend some time deciding what is the right voluntary role for you without pressure. Volunteer Centres offer a confidential and impartial service. They can offer a personal interview and can also work via phone or email. Click Here for contact details of Volunteer Centres in Lancashire

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What kinds of volunteering are available?
The list is enormous: advocacy, administration, animal care, befriending, caring, catering, conservation work, community centres, counselling, DIY, driving, education, fund raising, galleries & museums, gardening, heritage projects, homelessness, mentoring, retail, theatre, trustee work…to name only a few. Volunteer Centres keep a comprehensive database of volunteering opportunities in your area that you can access.

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What kinds of people volunteer?
There is no volunteering “type”! Volunteers are as diverse and varied as the whole community. Young people, retired people, students, professionals, disabled people, those who are unemployed, people wanting work experience, people who are already in full or part time employment, those with skills to offer…the list is endless – people just like yourself! Volunteers can be any sex, class, or ethnic origin. There is a voluntary role for everyone.

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Will my age matter?
There are no formal age restrictions around volunteering. However, most voluntary organisations require you to be over 16 (and some over 18). But there are some projects that involve teenagers from 13 years (with parental consent). There is no upper age limit unless the voluntary role involves a specific task (such as driving or operating certain machinery) that has a restriction.

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Why do people volunteer?
There are many reasons why people volunteer. Some wish to make a positive contribution to their community, some to gain skills or experience, some to put spare time to good use, and others because they have valuable skills and experiences themselves that they wish to benefit others. Some volunteers want to meet people and make new friends. And don’t forget that volunteering is good fun! Above all volunteers do it because they enjoy it!

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Will volunteering lead to paid employment?
Not directly. Volunteering is primarily an end to itself. Indirectly, however, volunteering can provide training, experience and references that could lead to paid employment.

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How much time will I have to give?
It is entirely up to you decide how much time you want to devote to volunteering. The average volunteer does around 2 hours per week. Most volunteers start with a couple of hours and may increase this if they wish. In some cases organisations may have a minimum expectation. In all cases your time commitment will be discussed in advance and you are always free to vary your hours accordingly.

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Do I need skills or experience?
Not necessarily. Enthusiasm and availability are far more important. Some voluntary roles may be more specialised than others and require skills or qualifications. However, each Volunteer Centre will have a number of voluntary jobs that anyone can get involved in.

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Will I receive training?
Yes, the vast majority of volunteering opportunities will include induction and training. Some organisations can offer more formal training that is accredited. You won’t be thrown in the deep end!

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Will my benefits be affected?
No. You are allowed to undertake voluntary work without any reduction of benefits.

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Will my travelling expenses be paid?
Most organisations will reimburse any travel expenses. Some will also offer meal and clothing allowances and carer costs. Volunteering should not leave you out of pocket.

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Do I need references or police checks?
Usually, yes. The vast majority of voluntary organisations will wish to take up references. Criminal Records Bureau checks are also required for any volunteering role that involves working with children or vulnerable adults. However, if you have a criminal record the police check does not mean that you’ll be automatically rejected. The check is designed to reveal only certain categories of offenders.

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What can I expect as a volunteer?
Among other benefits, you can expect the following:

• to do a worthwhile task without replacing paid staff
• fair recruitment and selection
• training, supervision and support
• not to be placed in danger
• to be covered by insurance
• proper concern for your health and safety
• the organisation to have a policy on the payment of expenses
• a reference for future employment
• the chance to make new friends.

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What will an organisation expect of me?
Not all organisations involve volunteers in the same way but generally the following will apply. An organisation can expect that you as a volunteer will:

• work to the agreed standards of the organisation
• work as part of their team
• consult with a supervisor or other member of staff for any guidance
• keep to agreed times of working and give notice of any absence
• take advantage of support and supervision offered and give feedback
• try to sort out any problem informally before using formal grievance procedures
• give as much notice as possible if you intend to leave

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Will I have an employment contract?
No, volunteers have no contractual relationship with organisations. However, when you volunteer for an organisation, an agreement is reached between you and them. This agreement may be verbal or it may be confirmed in a written document or letter. The agreement will confirm that your relationship is one of volunteering rather than employment and is not a contract of employment. Your offer to undertake volunteering work (and an organisation’s acceptance of you) is an agreement binding in honour only and has no legal significance. An organisation has no obligation to provide a written volunteer agreement, although for many volunteering roles it would help both the organisation and its volunteers by making expectations clear.

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What do I do next?
Contact your nearest Volunteer Centre for further information. They can give you all the details you need to pursue any interest you have.

Call in any Volunteer Centre for a browse, access the database, seek help and guidance from staff. (click here for the address and opening times of your nearest centre).

Or click on the logo to access the national volunteering information database Do-It.org

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