Becoming a volunteer
Becoming a Volunteer … the First Steps
Becoming a volunteer is a bit different from taking up a hobby or an interest. It needs commitment from you and, in turn, you are entitled to be treated with consideration and fairness by the organisation.
STEP ONE
STEP TWO
STEP THREE
STEP ONE
BEFORE YOU VOLUNTEER ASK YOURSELF… Why do I want to become involved?
Is it to get experience?
Are you looking to learn new skills, try out different types of work or maybe get something on you CV that will help you get a job or a place on a college course?
Perhaps your bored, want to get out of the house or meet new friends.
People start as volunteers for all sorts of reasons, but they all carry on for one reason – they get something from it.
What sort of job do I want to do?
There are so many different opportunities – choose something you enjoy doing or want to learn to do. More than anything, volunteering is about choice. Use it to explore.
How much time do I have to give?
Do you want to do something for a couple of hours a week? Or do you have lots of time now, because you are unemployed or not working?
STEP TWO
BECOMING A VOLUNTEER … Before you start volunteering, both you and the organisations need to know more about each other.
The organisation will want to ask you some questions…
- About your interests – what you’re good at and what you don’t like doing.
- About whether you have a criminal record, particularly if you want to work with children. It’s important to be honest and even if you have a record, there will still be many kinds of voluntary work you can do.
- About how much time you have to spare – and for how long. They will want to know whether this might change – for instance, if you get a job
- About how you feel about training – for some kinds of voluntary work you will need training to make sure you can do what’s expected of you.
You can ask questions too…
- Find out what the organisation is set up to do. Are their aims and values ones that you share?
- How is the organisation managed and how many staff and volunteers are employed?
- Find out what opportunities there are and if there is scope for you to change you commitment – you might want to increase of decrease your hours. What is the exact nature of the work you would be doing – is there a job description? Will you be working alone or in a team?
- Find out what expenses you can claim – you should not be out of pocket because you’re volunteering. Most organisations let you claim back bus fares, etc. Be clear what you can claim for and how you go about it. Also check how expenses are paid – weekly, monthly etc?
- Volunteering should not affect any benefit you are claiming. You should still be able to do voluntary work as long as you continue to look for a job and can take up employment with 48 hours’ notice. If you are uncertain talk to your Benefits Agency.
STEP THREE
GETTING READY TO START … Successful volunteering is based on the volunteer and the organisation each having a clear understanding of each other’s expectations. Remember – as a volunteer you have rights and so does the organisation or people you are working with…
- Be clear about what is expected of you
You should know when you are expected to turn up, what you are expected to do and when and where to get help if you need it.
You are volunteering because you choose to and should not feel under pressure to do anything you are uncomfortable with. If you do decide to give up a project it is important that the organisation knows why – they may be able to do something about it.
You may not be paid but your work is important. Proper support shows that your work is taken seriously and provides a chance to look at how things are going, problems that have arisen and any ideas you may have for improvements.
- Choose your own level of involvement
How much time and energy you put in to your voluntary work should be up to you. You shouldn’t feel under pressure to do more than you want to. But remember, the organisation has a right to say what it wants from its volunteers – for instance, that you need training for particular work. If you don’t want to give this commitment, then your needs don’t match those of the organisation.
You should be properly insured while volunteering with the project and you should be protected from dangerous situations.
Volunteering should be about new experiences, feeling good and having fun!
We help you volunteer,
Take away the fear
Show you what’s out there
For what time you can spare!
There’s info and advice
All for no price
We support and match,
No, there isn’t a catch.
So what’s holding you back?
Is it confidence you lack?
What could be more worthwhile
Than picking up the phone to dial… your local volunteer centre.
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