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Volunteer action

ONCE THE PRESERVE OF LITTLE OLD, BLUE RINSE LADIES IN DUSTY CHARITY SHOPS, SORTING THROUGH BIN BAGS OF SECOND-HAND CLOTHES - VOLUNTEERING, AND THE PERCEPTION OF IT, HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY OVER RECENT YEARS.

WHAT IS VOLUNTEERING?

Volunteering can mean helping other people. It’s also an exchange. You offer your time, your experience or your skills, for which you get something in return. It can enable you in different ways:

• Learn new skills and expand your experience, which may improve your career choices, or help you gain a place on a training course you’re interested in.

• Build on your confidence levels, through learning new skills and helping other people.

• Make new friends from all areas of life and backgrounds.

• Take pleasure in being a part of something or supporting a cause that you believe in.

Volunteering is often with charities and community groups, equally though, it can be through protest or activism. It is any activity where time is given freely for the public good: from taking part in a neighbourhood watch scheme, to chaining yourself to a bulldozer, to delivering meals on wheels. You can choose to volunteer with a type of organisation or group you have experience of, or you can try something totally new. It can be working closely with people or working with nature, it can be office based, outdoors or through the Internet - the choice is yours.

faqs

WILL I BE PAID EXPENSES?

Most organisations and groups will offer travel expenses to and from your volunteer role, some may also offer a meal allowance if you are volunteering over a certain number of hours.
However, It is a good idea to clarify whether you will receive expenses before you start volunteering.

HOW MUCH TIME DO I NEED TO VOLUNTEER FOR?

Again the time you commit to volunteering is entirely up to you, though groups or organisations may have a minimum amount of time they ask volunteers to commit to. The key is to be realistic about how much time you can offer, it's better to start with fewer hours and increase them, than to realise that you are unable to meet an overambitious commitment.

I WORK FULL-TIME, WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO VOLUNTEER?

Yes, many organisations can offer volunteering opportunities in the evenings and at weekends, but again be realistic about your commitment. If you are working full-time make sure you don't burn the candle at both ends.

WILL I BE INTERVIEWED?

Most organisations will probably not formally interview you before they place you, but they probably will invite you for an informal chat. If the volunteer role has more responsibility, then there is likely to be a more formal interview structure. The sort of questions you are asked will vary depending on the nature of the group or organisation. However, typical questions may include;

• Why are you interested in volunteering?

• What sort of voluntary work are you interested in?

• What skills can you bring to the role?

• What new skills would you like to develop through your volunteer role?

• How much time can you offer?

This is your opportunity to find out more about what volunteering with this group or organisation will involve. Ask about;

CAN I LEAVE IF I DON’T LIKE IT?

Yes, you are under no real obligation to continue to volunteer if you decide that volunteering is not for you, or if you don't wish to continue volunteering with that particular group or organisation. However, if you have any concerns about your role as a volunteer then you should speak to your volunteer co-ordinator or supervisor, or perhaps other more experienced volunteers before making any decisions. Hopefully by talking things out you will feel able to continue volunteering. If you have serious concerns regarding how you are being treated, ask about your organisation’s complaints procedure.

CAN I CLAIM BENEFITS?

Yes, benefit regulations are clear that volunteering won't effect your ability to claim benefits.

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE?

Details of where to find your local volunteer agency can be found on the webpage of the Volunteer Centre Network Scotland. Your local volunteer centre will help you choose the volunteering opportunity, which suits you.

At the national website you can find local volunteer centre contacts -
www.volunteerscotland.org.uk

Big thanks to the Volunteer Centre, Edinburgh for their assistance.