Volunteer Centre Newcastle

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on any of the questions below to have more information.

I want to volunteer - what do I do next?

To find out more about volunteering in Newcastle, you can contact the team at Volunteer Centre Newcastle directly.

If you don’t have any idea about the type of volunteering opportunity you would like, then the best course of action is to check out www.do-it.org.uk, an online database of volunteering opportunities. Here, you will be able to get some idea about the types of volunteering opportunity available in your area. You can also complete an online registration form which will automatically be sent to your nearest Volunteer Centre.

What do volunteers do?

Almost anything you want to do or can think of! You can volunteer to coach football, maintain grounds at historic properties, run a disco, or fix computers. There are organisations out there you can join that cater for every interest and minority group imaginable.
For more ideas on what you can do visit www.do-it.org.uk.

I’m working full-time. Will I still be able to volunteer?

Yes, there are many opportunities to volunteer that will fit around your working hours. Don’t be put off volunteering because you work full-time! Many organisations would love to find volunteers that are able to volunteer evenings, nights and/or weekends.

It is important however, to check with any organisation you are interested in volunteering for, what time commitment they have in mind. You will need to work out how many hours you will volunteer for and for how long you wish to volunteer.

Can I volunteer if I'm on benefits?

Yes, you can. The benefits regulations are clear that you can volunteer.
For detailed and up to date information on volunteering whilst you are claiming benefits please view a pdf document put out together by the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP).

I want to volunteer from home, is this possible?

There are opportunities available if you wish to volunteer from home, these include: telephone befriending and ‘virtual volunteering’ – ideal if you have IT skills such as graphic design, web design, or an ability to write newsletters.

How much time do I need to volunteer for?

This is entirely up to you. Most volunteering opportunities are flexible about the amount of time and commitment they require. Others can range from an hour a month to two or three days a week.

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.

The length of commitment needed also varies and some organisations will have a minimum amount of time for example: 3 months.

Many organisations offer ‘one off’ opportunities which require volunteers for a set time on a specific day or number of days. You can click here to access these opportunities.

Will I be interviewed? What will they ask me? What can I ask them?

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 interview or informal chat 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)

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.

Can I be paid something to cover my expenses?

Yes, you can. Most organisations will cover out of pocket expenses which include refunding travel and in some cases meal costs. Expenses will generally be refunded upon the production of a valid receipt or travel ticket.

Unfortunately not all organisations are able to pay expenses. This is often because they don’t have enough funds to cover additional costs. If you are unsure about expenses please ask the volunteer centre or the organisation.

Will I get training?

You need to ask the organisation you are volunteering with about 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 volunteering opportunity you will be doing. 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. 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.

Additional training can sometimes be offered by the organisation or by external organisers. For details of this, speak to the organisation or contact the Volunteer Centre Newcastle .

Do I need qualifications?

In most cases, no. Some opportunities may require specific skills rather than qualifications. Those that do are rare and it’s often linked to safety for example, a certificate in life guarding or food hygiene.
Usually, organisations will offer training to enable you to fulfil you role.

Can I get a qualification?

It’s becoming more common for organisations to offer volunteers qualifications or accreditation, but not all organisations are able to offer this. You will still learn a lot and gain valuable experience and improve your skills. If you do need a formal qualification, ask the organisation, or contact Volunteer Centre Newcastle who may be able to help locate any other local organisations that offer qualifications.

Can I get a reference from volunteering?

Yes. Most organisations will write a letter of reference once you have volunteered with them for a significant period of time. If you are in any doubt ask.

Can I volunteer with my family or friends?

Yes, you can but this may limit your choice of opportunity. Some volunteering is usually done in groups, so two or more people could easily join together. Examples are practical conservation and fundraising.

Employee volunteering is becoming increasingly popular and is a great way for workers to bond, engage in team building exercises as well as giving something back to the community.

Can I leave if I don’t like it?

Yes, of course. You are under no obligation to keep volunteering for an organisation in which you are unhappy.

Having said that it is always worth talking to somebody about your issues or concerns first. This could be your volunteer co-ordinator, your supervisor or someone in the organisation who is responsible for you or someone who you have got on with well. You can discuss with them why you feel unhappy and what you feel would improve your time as a volunteer in the organisation.

If you feel that something is seriously wrong or someone is treating you badly it is also worth checking whether your organisation has a complaints procedure.

The Volunteer Centre Newcastle is also here if you feel that your concerns have not been listened to.

How can I volunteer overseas?

There are two broad types of overseas volunteering.

1. Volunteering for at least a year, by people with a professional skill in demand for overseas development, for example medicine or construction. Such volunteers typically receive flights, accommodation and a local wage. The aim is usually to pass on skills so local people are more self-sufficient when the placement ends.

2. Volunteering for anything from a few weeks to a year by people without relevant professional skills. For this type of volunteering you will usually have to fundraise a substantial amount, perhaps as much as £2,000, though some projects are far cheaper. In return you will take part in what many see as an exciting chance to experience something completely different and gain an understanding of another culture as well as learning lots about yourself.

For both types of volunteering it is best to apply well in advance. There are well over 100 British organisations specialising in arranging overseas volunteering offering a choice of either a particular country or type of work. Not all projects are well organised, so find out as much as you can beforehand by asking questions:

Does the project provide travel, accommodation, food and pocket money?
What is the minimum length of time?
Do I need particular skills?
Does the project expect any religious commitment?
Can I speak with volunteers who have returned from the project to find out how they found it?

It is possible to travel to a country and then find voluntary work. However, you should check first if there are visa restrictions for volunteering and bear in mind that it can take many weeks to be selected onto a volunteer programme.

If your questions have not been answered here, please contact Volunteer Centre Newcastle