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Can I volunteer full-time and get living expenses?
You can, but only under certain circumstances. Most residential voluntary work offers board, lodging and some form of pocket money. This work can be for a week or two or a whole year. View Volunteering England's residential volunteering opportunities page for more information. [Link will open in a new window.]
You can, but only under certain circumstances. Most residential voluntary work offers board, lodging and some form of pocket money. This work can be for a week or two or a whole year. View Volunteering England's residential volunteering opportunities page for more information. [Link will open in a new window.]
Can I use my volunteer work as a reference?
If you volunteer for a long period – e.g. 3 months - most organisations will give you a reference outlining your activities and the skills you have gained.
There are also a number of different schemes where accreditation could be quoted e.g. Millennium Volunteers, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and Youth Achievement Award.
Many organisations provide certificates for volunteering work.
If you volunteer for a long period – e.g. 3 months - most organisations will give you a reference outlining your activities and the skills you have gained.
There are also a number of different schemes where accreditation could be quoted e.g. Millennium Volunteers, Duke of Edinburgh Award, and Youth Achievement Award.
Many organisations provide certificates for volunteering work.
Can I get qualifications while volunteering?
It's becoming more common for organisations to offer volunteer qualifications such as an NVQ, although these usually apply only to full-time volunteering opportunities. Either way, you are likely to learn a lot and gain valuable experience, skills and a reference though.
If you do need a formal qualification, ask at the interview, or contact your local vinvolved team or volunteer bureau as they may know if any other local organisations offer qualifications.
It's becoming more common for organisations to offer volunteer qualifications such as an NVQ, although these usually apply only to full-time volunteering opportunities. Either way, you are likely to learn a lot and gain valuable experience, skills and a reference though.
If you do need a formal qualification, ask at the interview, or contact your local vinvolved team or volunteer bureau as they may know if any other local organisations offer qualifications.
Do I need qualifications or experience to volunteer?
You don’t need any qualifications to become a volunteer. However some organisations may ask for qualifications for opportunities that require skilled work. Not to worry though, as often training will be provided as part of your volunteering experience.
When you search for opportunities through vsearch, you'll be able to see straight away if organisations are looking for any qualifications or experience. Loads of places are only looking for enthusiasm and commitment.
You don’t need any qualifications to become a volunteer. However some organisations may ask for qualifications for opportunities that require skilled work. Not to worry though, as often training will be provided as part of your volunteering experience.
When you search for opportunities through vsearch, you'll be able to see straight away if organisations are looking for any qualifications or experience. Loads of places are only looking for enthusiasm and commitment.
How can I be sure that the organisations listed are reputable?
All organisations that provide opportunities to the National Volunteering Database are encouraged to adhere to the Investing in Volunteering Standards, however we can not guarantee the quality of all opportunities featured. Opportunities from other sources e.g. the Worldwide Volunteering database are subject to the standards and requirements of the country hosting the opportunity, so in both cases you will need to look carefully at the organisation offering the opportunity to make an informed decision.
v does not screen any of the information from volunteering organisations or opportunities shown as a result of an opportunity search, nor can v accept any responsibility for the quality of any specific project, organisation, activity or volunteering opportunity. Volunteers are strongly advised to satisfy themselves on the management, financial, safety, health and all other aspects of a volunteering opportunity before enrolling on it.
All organisations that provide opportunities to the National Volunteering Database are encouraged to adhere to the Investing in Volunteering Standards, however we can not guarantee the quality of all opportunities featured. Opportunities from other sources e.g. the Worldwide Volunteering database are subject to the standards and requirements of the country hosting the opportunity, so in both cases you will need to look carefully at the organisation offering the opportunity to make an informed decision.
v does not screen any of the information from volunteering organisations or opportunities shown as a result of an opportunity search, nor can v accept any responsibility for the quality of any specific project, organisation, activity or volunteering opportunity. Volunteers are strongly advised to satisfy themselves on the management, financial, safety, health and all other aspects of a volunteering opportunity before enrolling on it.
