What will I do as a volunteer?

There are many different roles you can do as a volunteer:

Volunteering Bradford has over 300 different volunteer opportunities available

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How old do I need to be to become a volunteer?

For most roles you need to be over 16 years old. You will need to be over 18 years old if you are volunteering with a person at risk or a young person one-to-one.

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Can I get support to volunteer?

Yes. Please get in touch so we can talk about what roles might suit your skills and any extra support you may need.

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I don’t have much spare time, can I still volunteer?

Yes. The length of time depends on which role you are doing. Some are just one day, some are every week.

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Will volunteering affect my benefits?

Volunteering should not affect your benefits. If you have an employment advisor you could ask them for advice.

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 Will volunteering cost me money?

No. We will pay agreed out-of-pocket costs that you may have while volunteering · If you have to spend money for travel or meals we can give you the money back.

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How do I apply to be a volunteer?

Usually there is an online application. We can support you with this

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Will I have to do an interview?

Usually you will be invited  in for a short chat about the volunteer role. Not all volunteer roles need an interview.

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Will I need to give references?

Some roles will need references and some don’t . We will let you know if references are needed and we will give you time to get them.

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What is a DBS check?

A DBS check is a Disclosure and Barring Service check and looks at whether you have a criminal record.

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Will I need a DBS check?

 It is not needed for all volunteer roles. If you need one we can help you with it. This does not cost anything.

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I have a criminal record can I still volunteer?

Yes. But if you want to volunteer in a role which needs a DBS check, you will need to tell us when you apply. We will make a case by case decision about whether or not you can volunteer in this role.

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If I apply will I definitely become a volunteer?

We will look at your skills to make sure you are a good match for the volunteer role. If we feel it is not the right role for you, we will try to suggest another role.

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How long will it be from when I apply to when I start volunteering?

We hope volunteers can start within 4 weeks of application, but sometimes DBS checks and references mean it can take longer.

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What training will I get as a volunteer?

You will have an induction session with the team you are volunteering in. This will tell you more about your role and what is expected of you. What support will I get? You will have a volunteer manager who you can go to for help, support and guidance. You will have regular contact with this manager.

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Can I get a reference when I finish volunteering?

Yes. You may ask for a reference or certificate of achievement upon leaving, or sooner if you need one for a job or college application.

 

If you need any support or assistance during your volunteer journey we can provide this.