UK Volunteering
There are so many life lessons to learn and experiences to gain through volunteering. Perhaps the most overlooked benefits of volunteering are the personal changes and emotional growth that the experience can cause in your life. You also learn firsthand about the culture and life of the people you are serving while helping to make their lives better.
Why volunteer with us?
We consider every volunteer a priceless resource, we value your time and skills hence we work to make your experience a very rewarding one! Our view is that volunteers compliment the work of staff hence adding value the very essential services we provide.
What would you do?
Here in the UK we have robust programmes delivering various training courses, providing advice and guidance and promoting access to healthcare services for vulnerable and disadvantaged people. So you could be involved in any of the following ways:
- Mentoring young people
- Supporting the Health Team during community outreach activities
- Providing administrative and clerical support for the different projects
- Fundraising
- Or helping out with our support groups for vulnerable and People Living with HIV/AIDS through befriending them, home and hospital visits, translation, delivering health information and welfare support such as shopping, cleaning, cooking
When you join us, you will be trained and assigned specific tasks and a supervisor who is there to support you in every way possible making sure that your experience is enjoyable and worthwhile.
“ I have been volunteering in generally in office in administration which was my main assignment. This was beneficial to me as I have gained experience working in a UK office environment. After 6 months I was able to get a job.” (Previous volunteer)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is there a minimum amount of time I must give?
There's no obligation for volunteers to attend or to give a minimum amount of time.. You decide how much time you are prepared to give.
2. Will I be paid?
Only agreed out-of-pocket expenses*, such as travel between home and worksite and set lunch wil
3. What age do I have to be?
In general (see exceptions below) there is no minimum or maximum age as long as:
- you are able to make a useful contribution;
- there is no minimum age requirement for the task; and
- the activities are suitable for your age and not detrimental to your welfare or education.
If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must give permission for you to volunteer and you must be supervised by an adult and not left alone. We cannot always provide supervision so this may restrict younger people to volunteering with their parent or guardian.
There is no upper age limit. Older volunteers are welcome to stay for as long as they can carry out their work effectively provided they are not putting their, or others', health and safety in jeopardy.
The exceptions are:
- Overseas volunteers must be 18 or over and have a good command of spoken English.
- Full-time volunteers should be 18 or over, although some properties may be prepared to take 17 year olds.
- Asylum seekers and refugees are welcome to volunteer with us
4. Will I be insured?
We have insurance cover for damage to property and personal injury.
5. I am receiving welfare benefits - am I allowed to volunteer?
Yes - but tell your Job Centre or Benefits Office before volunteering to get their confirmation.
There is no maximum limit to the number of hours that you may volunteer while claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) or Incapacity Benefit (IB). However, if claiming JSA, you must continue to search for paid work and be willing to attend an interview with 48 hours notice or start a paid job within one week if offered.
If in receipt of IB, you may volunteer provided that the activity does not conflict with your stated incapacity.
It is possible to volunteer under the government's New Deal scheme.
Volunteer Experiences
“ I am HIV positive and I have found that by volunteering at WOI I am part of a community. I have a sense of participating in something useful and beneficial to others. My self esteem has risen and I am much more confident than I used to be. I have also been trained and have more skills than I had before which means that when I’m ready I will be more employable.”
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