Skip to Navigation

Become a Volunteer

Home › Become a Volunteer

  

What is a volunteer?

A ‘volunteer’ is defined as someone who commits time and energy for the benefit of others, and who does so freely, through personal choice, and without expectation of financial reward, except for the payment of actual out of pocket expenses.

How can I become a volunteer?

Contact the Volunteer Centre Rochdale Borough and they will arrange for you to come in and have a chat with an advisor, they will talk to you about any skills you have to offer and help to find the right voluntary opportunity for you

Why should I volunteer?

People volunteer for lots of reasons. If you are interested in doing something positive for both yourself and your community, volunteering will help you to:

  • Improve your self confidence
  • Gain new skills and experiences
  • Benefit from training opportunities
  • Gain references for future employers
  • Improve your employment prospects
  • Make new friends

Reasons for registering with the Volunteer Centre Rochdale Borough

  • You will receive a copy of ‘Volunteer Vibes’
  • You will be invited to their annual awards ceremony
  • You will have access to training
  • You will have access to advice, guidance and support on all aspects of volunteering
  • The Volunteer Centre Rochdale Borough will represent your volunteer interests at local,regional and national level
  • You will receive up to date information about current issues or policies which affect volunteering

The Rights and responsibilities of volunteers

The Rights of Volunteers

We encourage all local organisations to respect the rights of volunteers. These include the right to:

  • Be recruited and selected fairly
  • Receive training and supervision
  • Work in a safe environment
  • Be consulted about the tasks you undertake
  • Be treated as a team member
  • Receive an induction into the organisation
  • Receive actual out - of - pocket expenses

 

The Responsibilities of Volunteers

Volunteers will be expected to:

  • Support the organisation’s aims & objectives
  • Reliably turn up at the times agreed
  • Attend relevant training courses
  • Comply with the organisation’s policies and procedures
  • Add value to the work of the organisation
  • Keep hold of receipts to claim back expenses
  • Respect the organisation’s need for confidentiality

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do I need to give?

This is really up to you. There are voluntary opportunities that only take up to 3 hours a month or opportunities where the requirement is 3 days a week. You can volunteer in the evenings, at weekends or during the day. It really depends on the type of voluntary work you would like to do.

Can I leave if I don’t like it?

Yes, of course you can. You are under no obligation to keep volunteering. If there is any problem we would encourage you first of all to talk to the person who is responsible for
volunteers at the organisation you are placed with, if this doesn’t help or work we can either help you to resolve it or find you another placement.

Do I get paid?

No. The only money that you will receive will be actual out of pocket expenses e.g. You
volunteer for a full working day and you buy yourself lunch, keep hold of the receipt and then claim it back from the organisation. When you start your voluntary placement you will be told how to claim back expenses.

Do I need any qualifications?

Usually you don’t. Some very skilled work may demand qualifications, but usually organisations offer training to enable you to carry out the work.

Can I get a qualification?

It’s becoming more common for organisations to offer volunteers qualifications such as an NVQ but it is still very unusual. You may well learn some valuable skills and gain experience, and also a reference for future employment.


Will I be interviewed?

Many organisations will not formally interview you but they will want to have a chat with you before you start. This gives you, and the organisation, a chance to assess each other and gives you an opportunity to ask questions.

A typical interviewer may ask:

• Why are you interested in volunteering?
• What sort of volunteering are you interested in?
• What skills do you have?
• Are there any skills you would like to learn?
• How much time do you have to offer?

You may want to ask:

• Will I receive training?
• How do I claim back my expenses?
• Will there be a variety in the work?
• How will I be supported/supervised?
An interview can also give you the opportunity to look at where you will be volunteering and meet staff and other volunteers.

I work full time. Will I still be able to volunteer?

Yes, don’t be put off volunteering because you work full time. Many organisations would love to find volunteers who are available evenings and weekends. You will need to work out how much time you can commit before coming along to The Volunteer Centre Rochdale
Borough.

What can I do?

Almost anything you can think of. But you need to bear in mind that we only work with
Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations/Groups. There are organisations out there you can join that cater for every interest imaginable. There are so many things you can get involved in, so don’t think ‘Oh I’ll do anything’. Volunteering works best when you decide on something specific you want to do. You could think about an issue you are passionate about, or a hobby or interest. Some volunteering may need you to make a commitment to a fixed time and day. Other types of volunteering are more flexible when you fix the time and day as you go along. It all depends what fits in best with your life. Consider what kind of volunteering interests you: there are so many different kinds of volunteering opportunities available!
To find all of our volunteering opportunities you can also visit www.do-it.org.uk and search the National Opportunities Database and register online.

Volunteering & Benefits

Can I still claim benefits while volunteering?

Yes you can. The benefits regulations are clear that you can volunteer. Unfortunately some Job Centres do not understand the rules and wrongly query entitlement. If this happens, let your organisation know, or contact the Volunteer Centre Rochdale Borough, and we may be able to help you.

What types of Volunteering Opportunities are available?

View our current A-Z of Volunteering Opportunities — there are many more ways to volunteer — for all our volunteer opportunities go to www.do-it.org

Or contact us at:

CVS Rochdale
Partnership House
Sparrow Hill
Rochdale
OL16 1QT
Tel 01706 631291

Email: vc.admin@cvsr.org.uk