How much time will I have to give?
This is entirely up to you. Volunteering can take anything from an hour a month to a few days a week or be a one-time commitment. It is worth thinking about how much time and how frequently you’d like to volunteer before you start looking for a role. Even if you work full time or you have a busy lifestyle, you could still find an opportunity that suits.
What if I don’t like the role once I have started volunteering?
If you are not enjoying your volunteer role it is always best to talk to the organisation – most organisations do not want to lose volunteers and will try to resolve any issues. If you prefer, you can talk to VARB and we can try to assist through mediation. Some organisations ask for a minimum time commitment, mainly when they are investing up-front in significant training for volunteers. Ultimately, as a volunteer you are always free to walk away from a voluntary role.
Are there any age restrictions for volunteering?
For many of the volunteer roles we cover you would need to be at least 18 years of age. However, there are a growing number of organisations that offer volunteering to people aged 16 and over and in some cases even younger. Many organisations value the skills and experience a young person can bring to the role.
Will I be expected to provide references?
It is good practice for all voluntary organisations to request references from potential volunteers. However, these do not need to be employment related. They could be character references from your school, college, university, a club or someone outside your family who has known you for a few years.
I’m interested in volunteering: what do I do from here?
You can browse volunteering opportunities on our website and express an interest immediately by registering online. However, if you are not sure about the type of role you want to do, or you prefer not to do things online, then you are welcome to contact the VARB team for an informal chat. Please get in touch on 01737 763156 or email volunteer@varb.org.uk.
I’m interested but I don’t know what type of volunteering to do?
Why not browse our database, selecting from the list of activities and interests to help focus your thoughts. If there is just too much choice, then please contact VARB by phone or email and we can help you identify roles that would be suitable for you. Please get in touch on 01737 763156 or email volunteer@varb.org.uk.
Do you have any “one off” roles?
Yes! Voluntary organisations often look for ‘one off’ help especially for fundraising and sporting events. Try searching our online database, selecting “one off activity/events” in the activities box.
Will it cost me anything?
Volunteering should not cost you anything. Most organisations will pay ‘out of pocket’ expenses including reasonable travel costs – you can check this before applying.
What are the Duke of Edinburgh requirements for volunteering?
There are four sections of Duke of Edinburgh,(DofE) and one of them is volunteering. DofE requires young people to complete between 3-12 months of volunteering which can be done in person or online.
We offer a wide range of volunteering roles that you can do for your DofE reward. Search our database and type in ‘dofe’ into the keyword section.
If you would like to find out more information about DofE and volunteering, click here.