1. What is a volunteer?

2. Why volunteer?

3. Who can volunteer?

4. Will my State Benefits be affected?

5. What if I have a criminal record?

6. Some things to remember when you are volunteering

What is a volunteer?
A volunteer is a person who offers their time, energy and expertise to benefit others in their community without payment or any other financial gain.  Volunteers can only expect to be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses but not all organisations are able to offer this.

Volunteering is something an individual chooses to do.  People volunteer for a number of reasons they may wish to gain more experience in a particular field or they could be changing a career path to try something new. They could be in recovery from a long term illness, volunteering to gain confidence, make new friends or put something back or even for the ‘feel good factor of achievement’. There are many reasons to give time to volunteer. Volunteering benefits the volunteer, the organisation and the service users.

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Why volunteer?
Many of us have time to spare and feel volunteering will be a constructive use of our time and skills. You may be looking to enhance your skills by gaining some practical experience, increase your self confidence, maintain or learn new skills and this in turn may enhance your employment prospects. You may be retired and bored and not ready to give up your work ethic. You may be a student with time to spare.

Whatever the reason, people who volunteer are offering to do something to help other people, without personal reward.

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Who can volunteer?
Everyone can volunteer regardless of gender, race, beliefs, disability, mental or physical health, religion, sexuality, criminal background or age.

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Will my State Benefits be affected?
It is wise to check with the Job Centre. You may wish to check with your medical practitioner if you are under their care, before you commit yourself to volunteering.

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What if I have a criminal record?
You may be asked for information on criminal record.  Reformed ex-offenders deserve to have an opportunity to volunteer as others in society.  However, your suitability for a particular volunteer role may have to be assessed considering the nature of the previous offence and how long ago it was. Enhanced Criminal Bureau Records Disclosures should always be asked for when dealing with children and vulnerable adults.

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Some things to remember when you are volunteering

• Volunteering should never become a ‘chore’ or stressful, remember you should always be able to decline a task.

• If you agree to take on some voluntary work make sure you understand what is expected of you.

• Do not over commit yourself.  Offer only as much time as you are able to give regularly.

• You must be reliable – people are depending on you!

• Make sure you know who is your point of reference within the organisation.

• If you are unable to keep an arrangement, inform the group with whom you are working, and if necessary, the client.

• You should never be ‘out of pocket’ although there are a few organisations not able to reimburse expenses.

• If you are offered expenses always accept them because others may not be in a financial situation to refuse.

• Some organisations regularly hold team meetings with their volunteers. This is a very useful exercise because it brings people together to get to know one another, share ideas and off-load problems. It is also a way of getting ‘involved’ with what is happening in the group.

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