Volunteering FAQs

Would I make a good volunteer?

The most important characteristic of a good volunteer is a commitment to the task in hand and to the organisation or group for whom you are volunteering. Keen and reliable volunteers will always be welcome and appreciated.
When first joining a project, it's important to be open-minded and give it some time before deciding whether or not you have made the right choice of voluntary work. If after some time you feel unhappy with your choice, then talk to the person running the project - don't just give up without an explanation. There may be ways around the problems you have experienced and highlighting these could benefit other volunteers in the future.

I don't really know what I want to do

You can call us or make an appointment to visit the volunteer centre in Newport, where you will have the chance to find out more about volunteering in general and we can try to learn what type of placement would best fit in with your current life style.
You can also check out our volunteering opportunities page which links to the national volunteering database www.do-it.org.uk. You can search for opportunities by areas of interest and activity - such as working with animals or computers; doing administration or caring for people.

How much time do I have to give?

You can give as little or as much time as you would like. It may be that you are able to offer some time regularly once a week or maybe you would prefer to help out at specific event on a more ad-hoc basis.
The most important thing is that you can make arrangements that are suitable to both yourself and the organisation you will be supporting.
It is worth remembering that some volunteering needs a fairly long-term commitment, especially if there is a training programme for volunteers. You will need to think to the future and decide for how long you wish to be involved. No matter how much time you wish to commit, the important thing is to be reliable in your volunteering.
I work full-time. Will I still be able to volunteer?
Yes! Volunteers are needed in the evenings and weekends as well as during the day. You may decide you don't want to volunteer on a weekly basis but may wish to commit to once a fortnight or once a month. Volunteering doesn't necessarily mean giving huge amounts of time. You may also want to get involved in one-off events. For example painting a community hall or fundraising at a local school.

What will I be asked to do?

You should expect to be asked to do things that you feel comfortable with and which suit your interests and abilities. You should have regular access to a named person who ensures that you have adequate support. You need a clear idea of your task and responsibilities before you start.

Will my expenses be reimbursed?

Volunteers should not be out of pocket as a result of volunteering. If you incur costs travelling to and from your place of volunteering, or during the course of your voluntary work, these should be reimbursed. Other expenses that might be payable are the cost of lunch, childcare costs, costs of equipment and protective clothing. Voluntary organisations are not obliged to reimburse your expenses but we certainly encourage them to do so. After all, it's your time you're giving, not your money.

What about Benefits?

People in receipt of benefits can volunteer and receive out-of-pocket expenses providing they comply with the relevant regulations.

Here is a brief summary of the regulations, which outline the main benefits:
Job seeker's allowance (JSA)
People on JSA can do as much voluntary work as they want as long as they remain available for and are actively seeking work. This means they have to be available for interviews within 48 hours and give a week's notice before starting work.
Income Support
Volunteering should not affect someone's Income Support as long as they are not receiving any money other than reimbursement of expenses.
Incapacity Benefit
There was confusion as to whether people on Incapacity Benefit could only volunteer for 16 hours per week. This is no longer the case. If you are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit then you can volunteer for as long as you want.
Disability Living Allowance
Volunteering will not affect whether an individual receives this benefit or not.

Will I be police-checked?

If you are going to be involved with children or vulnerable clients the organisation may need to carry out a criminal records check (CRB check). The organisation will apply for a check in conjunction with you - you will have to provide various pieces of evidence, e.g. passport, driving licence. At the moment, there are two levels of check - standard and enhanced. The level required will depend on the degree of contact you have with children or vulnerable adults. The check is for your safety as much as for the organisation.

When I go and see the organisation, what happens next?

This will vary from organisation to organisation. Some organisations will ask you to fill in an application form and attend a formal interview, others will just ask you to come in for an informal chat. This gives you and the organisation the chance to find out a bit more about each other. It is important that you are clear about what they are asking you to do. If you are unsure or concerned, the Volunteer Centre is there to offer you advice and support.