Frequently Asked Questions – Volunteers
You will need to decide what type of volunteering you are interesting in doing, i.e. short term or long term roles. You will also need to decide what area you are most interested in being involved with, i.e. volunteering with animals, working in an office, etc. Once you have an idea of what you’re looking for you can search for opportunities through the Volunteers tab and then the search for opportunities tab. You will then need to register with us. If you are unclear about what volunteering roles you are interested in applying for we have several helpful articles that may help you on your volunteer journey, or if you would like to speak to our placement officer, please see our Outreach programme under the Events tab for dates, times, and locations for the drop in service and how to book an appointment.
Once you have decided on the role you wish to apply for you will need to register with us. To register simply go to the following link and complete the registration form.
When you have registered with us a member of our team will contact you regarding the role you are applying for and to offer support during your volunteer journey. We aim to respond within 3-5 working days.
Volunteering can be an immensely rewarding experience, but it can also be difficult to decide which area to volunteer your time to. We recommend picking an issue you really care about, for example, if you love dogs, than you might look at organisations that take on volunteers that help out with caring for dogs.
Yes, but you will need to check the role description you wish to apply for, as some organisations are unable to accommodate persons under the age of 18.
Yes, but you will need to contact the organisation you wish to volunteer with and check if they can accommodate your individual needs.
Yes, volunteering can be a great way to up-skill and show potential employers your abilities and willingness to work. For more information please see our article below “volunteering while unemployed”
Yes. Please note, some roles require a minimum level of English.
Yes, most organisations will do an interview for long them roles. Volunteering roles are very similar to employment roles, the organisation will want to make sure you are the right candidate for the position, and it is an opportunity for you to find out more about the role and organisation. It is unlikely you would be interviewed for short term .i.e. one day events.
Most organisations are happy to give you a reference for volunteering with them, however, some organisation are less inclined to give references for once off events. It is important to ask the organisation before starting.
Some organisations will reimburse expenses, such as, travel to training or events, and food. However, each organisation is different and some may not reimburse expenses, so please ensure that you discuss this with the organisation before starting.