Volunteering- FAQs

Areas covered

What is volunteering?

Volunteering can be defined as giving your time and skills freely and without coercion, often to a cause you feel passionate about. Volunteering is not done for financial gain but is about mutual benefit. In return for helping an organisation or individual, you have the satisfaction of putting something back into your community and society, using and developing useful experience and skills, increasing social interaction, and improving your health and wellbeing – all in an enjoyable use of your time.

_{Who volunteers?}

The answer, really, is anyone who wants to and feels they have time to offer to a worthwhile cause in their community. So, that could be you too! Volunteering is one of the most inclusive activities in our community and it is open to anyone who wants to help out. Volunteering doesn’t have to be a long term and regular commitment in the same place, it can be flexible and suit your needs at any time throughout your life. It's just about finding the right opportunity for you. Across Gateshead, many organisations are offering varied ways for you to get involved, for example:

Gardening or working outside to protect and conserve the local environment.
Having a cup of tea with someone who feels isolated.
Helping the library archives team to make sure our history is preserved and accessible for others.
Helping children learn to read in school.
Cooking healthy meals for an older people’s luncheon club or vulnerable families.
Driving patients to and from hospital appointments.
Writing content for social media posts.
Welcoming and taking tickets for a theatre performance …

To get an idea about current volunteering opportunities, take a look at Ways to help... | OurGateshead.

If you need a little more support in finding the right volunteer role for you then please feel free to contact us at volunteering@connectedvoice.org.uk.

Institute for Volunteering Research: IVS - Where and How can I Volunteer?

_{How old do I have to be?}

There are no age limits for volunteering generally but many organisations set age restrictions that reflect the physical requirements of the role itself, level of responsibility, experience or safeguarding needed, or requirements set by insurance companies.

_{How much time do I need to volunteer?}

This is really up to you and what works around your life. Some roles are for one-off events and others might offer a regular day or time over a longer period. Some organisations may ask for a particular commitment, while others are able to take a more flexible approach. It is important to think carefully about the amount of time and commitment you can offer before choosing your role.

_{I have limited mobility and health problems — can I still volunteer?}

Yes! Research has shown that adults with disabilities or health conditions often show improvement after volunteering.

Whether due to a disability or other reasons, such as a lack of transport or time constraints, many people choose to volunteer their time digitally or by 'phone. There are organisations who often need help with telephone services such as befriending, or other web based tasks such as writing blogs, sharing images and content on social media and graphic design.

Some organisations may require you to attend an initial training session or periodical meetings while others can be conducted completely remotely.

As in any volunteer situation, make sure that the role is right for you, the organisation is available to support you and has the access you need.

_{Where can I find volunteer opportunities – how can I help others?}

There are so many causes to support and places to choose from ...

Community theatres, museums, historic buildings and monuments.
Libraries and community centres.
Service organisations such as Scouts, Cadets or Rotary Clubs.
Local animal shelters, rescue organisations or wildlife centres.
Youth organisations, sports teams, and holiday programmes.
Charities and Community Interest Companies (CICs).
Parks, gardens and conservation organisations.
Places of worship such as churches or synagogues.

Local opportunities are listed on Ways to help... | OurGateshead.

_{How do I find the right volunteer opportunity for me?}

It is worth remembering that the relationship between a volunteer and organisation must be of mutual benefit to be successful. You’re helping the organisation – but what can you expect in return?

There are numerous volunteer opportunities to choose from but the key is to find a position that you would enjoy and where your commitment matches the organisation’s needs.

Local opportunities are listed on www.ourgateshead.org and you can Register as a Volunteer – OurGateshead.

_{Are there any volunteering pitfalls I should be aware of?}

The relationship between you and the organisation should always be of mutual benefit. When choosing a role that is right for you, it's worth considering the following:

Only offer to volunteer if you have the time, try not to overcommit to volunteering.
Choose volunteer activities for which you know you are best suited. For example, if you don’t like dealing with people, a behind the scenes role might be better. Always do something you enjoy.
Be careful of taking on volunteer work that could be too close to home and might trigger worries or trauma from lived experience.
It’s okay to dip in and out of volunteering as life allows – there may be certain stages in your life when volunteering is not a good option for you.
Make it right for you - don't volunteer for something just because a friend is volunteering.
Avoid any activity where you are bullied, coerced or co-opted – volunteering is about freedom of choice.
Be wary of organisations who over-rely on volunteers or replace paid staff with volunteer roles. Volunteers are there to add value and enhance existing activity and volunteering should never feel like a burden.
Any necessary training and equipment should be given and you shouldn’t be asked to do anything dangerous. Insurance and risk assessments should be in place - and you can always ask to see them.
Say no immediately to any organisation who asks you to pay in order to volunteer!
Volunteering should not displace your financial well-being, although it can give you the experience and references to support paid employment.

_{I’m a bit unsure about volunteering and may need some additional support, who can help me?}

Anyone, regardless of their age, ability, health or life experiences can give their time in a valuable way through volunteering. If you'd like to talk further about your specific personal needs and would like help finding the right volunteer role for you, please contact Gateshead Volunteer Centre: volunteering@connectedvoice.org.uk.

_{Will I get training?}

Not all volunteering requires training, but organisations will provide appropriate training to enable you to fulfil the role to the best of your ability. For certain roles you may have to complete training as part of the recruitment process. For example, if you are working with children or vulnerable adults you are likely to do safeguarding training, or food hygiene training if you are involved with food preparation.

_{Can I leave if I don't like it?}

You are under no obligation to keep volunteering for an organisation if you don’t like it and you can leave at any time. If you’re unhappy it is always worth talking to your contact within the organisation to express your concerns and ensure the role is right for you. If you feel that something is seriously wrong, or someone is treating you badly, you can check if your organisation has a complaints procedure or whistleblowing policy. You can also get in touch with Gateshead Volunteer Centre to ask for advice and discuss any concerns.

_{Can I volunteer from home?}

Volunteering from home is an increasingly popular way of volunteering, particularly since the pandemic. Example opportunities include telephone befriending, social media, design and proofreading, fundraising or making blankets or objects that are needed. Organisations will normally say if this can be done remotely, but you can always ask too.

_{Can I volunteer with family or friends?}

Some opportunities are suitable for group volunteering such as fundraising, litter picking and marshalling at events. Speak to the organisation to see what space they have available and whether they are in a position to accommodate family groups.

_{Do I need qualifications?}

Not usually. Some volunteering opportunities require qualifications such as counselling or food hygiene and some need particular skills and experience but most organisations provide whatever training is necessary. If particular qualifications are needed this should be stated in the volunteer role description. Often organisations are looking for personal attributes, such as communication skills, working as part of a team, being reliable and passionate about a particular interest or cause - rather than academic qualifications.

_{Can I get a qualification or an award by volunteering?}

Some organisations may offer qualifications such as first aid and food hygiene, if this is relevant to the role. Some organisations present internal certificates of recognition and occasionally they may nominate volunteers for regional or national awards. By volunteering you will also develop skills, be able to ask the organisation for a reference and talk about real experience in interviews.

_{Can I claim benefits while volunteering?}

Volunteering will not affect your benefits so long as you are still able to meet the conditions for receiving those benefits. For example, you need to be free to attend job interviews and if you have a condition that prevents you from doing paid work, it is likely that you will not be able to do this on a voluntary basis either.

However volunteering is viewed as helpful in gaining paid employment and is also therapeutic when recovering from an illness or managing a long term condition. It is always advisable to let your Benefits Advisor know that you are volunteering and there is more information at www.gov.uk - benefits.

_{I’ve got a criminal record – can I still volunteer?}

If you have a criminal record you can still volunteer but there are some limitations. Depending on the nature of your criminal record, you may not be able to take up some volunteering roles but a variety of others would still be open to you. You may be asked on an application form to disclose any Unspent Convictions and the organisation would then decide on the suitability of the role for you. You may also be asked for a DBS check for certain roles, especially those including children, vulnerable adults, personal data or financial transactions.

_{What is the difference between volunteering and work experience?}

Work experience is usually sought by under 18s through a school or college. It is different from volunteering because:

Additional safeguarding may be required, especially in terms of the age of the student.
Placements are usually short and time limited, such as one week.
Students work under close supervision of a member of staff or someone with appropriate DBS checks and knowledge of the job.
Students have a planned schedule of learning about the job they are shadowing.
The organisation will be required to sign timesheets and evaluations.