Volunteering in Lambeth An introduction to · Volunteering in Lambeth An introduction to Volunteer...

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Volunteer Centre Lambeth is an LVAC Project

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Welcome

From Volunteer Centre

Lambeth This guide has been produced by Volunteer Centre Lambeth toanswer some of the common questions people have before they startvolunteering. If you are thinking about volunteering and are not surewhat to expect, then this guide is a good place to start. We hope youfind the information you need in this booklet but if you have anyunanswered questions, please feel free to contact us.

Available in large print Please call 020 7326 5490 or email [email protected]

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Contents

Why volunteer? 2

Can I volunteer? 3-4

Do I have the skills? 5

What can I do and when? 5

Can I afford it? 6-7

How do I get started? 8

How do I apply? 9

How long will it take? 9

What happens once I start...and finish? 10

About Volunteer Centre Lambeth 11

Jargon Buster! 12

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Why volunteer?Volunteering is an opportunity for you to gain as well as give. Some of the benefits of volunteering are highlighted below:

• Develop skills for the workplace

• Support a cause you care about

• Build confidence and self esteem

• Enhance your CV

• Meet new people

• Gain insight into jobs in charities and community groups

• Get involved with the community

• Improve your language skills

Every person who volunteers takes something different away fromtheir experience. If you decide to give your time then you can be sureto be rewarded with many positive benefits.

“Volunteering is a great way to give

something back to the community.

It is a great feeling to do something

worthwhile for someone else without

expecting anything in return.” Lisa Marshall, Volunteer Communications Assistant


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Can I volunteer?The simple answer is yes! The variety of different opportunities meansthat just about anyone can volunteer, no matter what theircircumstances, including:

Those seeking asylum and refugeesPeople who have refugee status or who have exceptional leave toremain are allowed to do any type of work including volunteering.Asylum seekers are allowed to volunteer, as long as they are carryingout the work on behalf of a registered charity, voluntary organisationor body that raises funds for either. Any voluntary activity undertakenshould not amount to either employment or job substitution.

Young peopleSome organisations have volunteer roles suitable for young peoplefrom the age of 14 upwards. In fact, there are often exciting volunteerprojects that have been set up specifically for young people so you canbe sure you will get the support you need. If you are under 16 you may need to get consent from your parent or guardian or be accompanied by an adult.

People with disabilities or health concernsMany organisations will do their best to accommodate any additional needs you have in order for you to volunteer. You can decide how much you think your disability or concerns affect you and whether you need to inform the organisation about it.If you have access requirements, explain your needs to the organisation before applying to make sure they can support you.


Parents, guardians and carersThere are a variety of opportunities thatallow you to fit volunteering aroundyour caring commitments. Someorganisations have crèche facilitiesand larger organisations maycontribute to childcare expenses.

People with a criminal recordHaving a criminal record does notimmediately exclude you fromvolunteering. If a role requires youto disclose your criminalconvictions or requires apolice check, be honest. Yoursuitability for a role willdepend on the type anddate of the offence. If you are unsure whether a conviction will affect yourapplication, speak to theorganisation before applying.

People from overseasPeople from EU member countriescan do unlimited volunteer hours.People from outside the EU who have a visato work or study in the UK may volunteer as long as they are stillundertaking the activity that is stated on their visa and the visa allowsthem to do volunteering work.

People in temporary accommodationIf you don't have a permanent address, you can provide theorganisation with a temporary one. This could be, for example, thehostel you are staying at or a friend’s house.

4

EMPLOYED?

Volunteer opportunities

are available with

different time

commitments including

during the evening and

at weekends!

UNEMPLOYED?

You can volunteer if you

are unemployed even if

you are receiving

benefits


5

Do I have the skills?Many volunteer roles do not require you to have a qualification orprevious experience. Punctuality, reliability and a willingness to learnare usually all that is required. Organisations frequently providetraining so you feel fully equipped to undertake your volunteering. If a role does require a qualification or specific skills, this would bestated on the role description you receive before applying.

What can I do and when?There are hundreds of different opportunities available and timecommitments vary so you can fit them around your schedule,whatever your commitments. Below are just a few of the activities you can get involved with:

• Mentor a young person at risk of offending

• Home visit an elderly person

• Undertake conservation work or gardening

• Be a trustee, directing the work of the charity

• Help in a charity shop

• Read to a primary school pupil

• Help in the office with administration or fundraising

• Support one off charity events for a day

• Provide advice to vulnerable women

• Coach sports

...plus loads more


6

Can I afford it?State benefits and expensesYou should not be out of pocket as a result of your volunteering. Themajority of organisations will cover your expenses whilst volunteering.This might include reasonable travel costs to get to and from yourvolunteering or the cost of a meal if you volunteer for a full day. Eachorganisation has a different policy and procedure for claimingexpenses so you will need to check before you start.

You can volunteer for as many hours as you like while you are on statebenefits as long as you still meet the basic rules for receiving them. Ifthe Jobcentre Plus pays your benefit, always talk to your personaladvisor first. Also, remember to keep copies of your receipts for anyexpenses you receive. On the next page is thecurrent guidance, at the time of print,from the Department of Work andPensions but laws change so makesure you keep up to date!

EXPENSES will not

affect your benefits so

long as you don’t accept

any payment on top of

your expenses


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State Benefits table

BENEFIT TYPE NOTES

Carers Allowance Unaffected as long as youcontinue to care for a disabledperson for at least 35 hours aweek and the person you care forgets the right disability benefit.

Child Tax CreditCouncil Tax BenefitHousing BenefitDisability AllowanceAttendance AllowanceNational Insurance CreditsHome ResponsibilitiesProtectionPension Credit

These benefits are not affectedas long as you still meet thebasic rules for claiming.

Incapacity BenefitIncome Support

Unaffected as long as you canstill go to a work focusedinterview when asked and meetthe basic rules for claiming.

Jobseekers Allowance Unaffected as long as you arestill actively looking for full-timepaid work, are available forwork, are still able to go to aninterview at 24 hours notice andare still able to start a job at oneweeks notice.

Working Tax Credit This is not affected.Volunteering hours do not counttowards your minimum weeklyworking hours required.


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How do I get started?5 quick steps to getting started

Think about what roles you would enjoy, what type oforganisation you would like to volunteer at, what skillsyou have and when you are available.

Complete a registration form for Volunteer CentreLambeth providing as much information as possible onthe above.

Send in your registration by post, email or drop it in toour office. Alternatively, book an appointment with oneof our advisors and bring it along with you on the day.

Read and consider the details of all the volunteeropportunities we give you. These will match theinterests and availability you put on your form.

Choose the role you would like to do and apply.


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How do I apply?Once you have found a role you are interested in, what do you do?

You will need to contact the organisation you would like to volunteerfor directly.

They will tell you how to apply and you can ask any questions you mayhave. You must then follow the organisation’s procedures to apply forthe volunteer role. They may ask you to:

• Fill in an application form

• Attend an interview

• Come along for an informal chat

• Provide references

• Undertake a police check

• Take part in training for the role

How long will it take?Depending on the role you want to do and the organisation’sapplication procedures, it may take a couple of months to start yourvolunteering. This is especially true for roles where you will be workingwith vulnerable adults or children. This is because you will need toundergo a police check, also called a Criminal Record Bureau (CRB)check. These checks are necessary to make sure that the organisationis not recruiting unsuitable volunteers.

Don’t be disheartened. It will be worth the wait!


10

What happens when I start...You should expect ongoing support from the organisation including:

• Induction to the organisation including an introduction to important policies and procedures

• Named contact who you can go to on a day to day basis with questions

• Regular support meetings for you to feedback and express any concerns

• Payment of expenses and information on how to claim them

...and finishEventually, you may feel that you can no longer volunteer. When thishappens, although you are not legally required to, it is helpful if youcan give as much notice as possible to the organisation. They will needyou to return any equipment you may have that belongs to them andmay ask you to come along for an exit meeting to discuss yourexperience of volunteering with them. If you have volunteered for areasonable amount of time, the organisation can often provide you with a reference so don’t forget to stay in contact.


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About Volunteer Centre LambethVolunteer Centre Lambeth actively helps people to identify voluntaryopportunities that match their skills and interests. We provideindividuals with advice and support to try to ensure they have apositive volunteering experience.

The benefits of registering with the Volunteer Centre include:

• Access to a diverse range of volunteering opportunities available

• A team of expert advisors to support you every step of the way

• Regular information on new volunteering opportunities and other volunteering news

• Access to free training

Remember it’s FREE to register with Volunteer CentreLambeth. Please contact us for more information and a registration form.

35 Brixton Station Road, London, SW2 8PBwww.lambethvac.org.uk020 7326 [email protected]


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Jargon Buster!So what does it all mean?

BefriendingWhen two people come together with the aim of establishing anddeveloping an informal and social relationship

CRB checkA check on your local police records. Some organisations require thisif you are volunteering with children or vulnerable adults

MentoringA one-to-one, non-judgemental relationship in which an individualvoluntarily gives time to support and encourage another. This istypically developed at a time of transition in the mentee's life

Out of Pocket ExpensesCosts for necessary items, normally made in cash, and usuallyreimbursed at a later time. An example would be local transport coststo get to your volunteer role

TrusteeThe people responsible for overseeing the management andadministration of a charity

VolunteeringAn unpaid activity where someone gives their time to help anorganisation or an individual who they are not related to


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“My expectation was that

volunteering would be rewarding

personally and that it would give me

the opportunity to meet people from

all different types of backgrounds –

which it certainly has!” Hannah Brown, Volunteer at Brixton Prison


Play your part!

Volunteer Centre Lambeth is an LVAC ProjectVolunteer Development Officer post funded by The City Bridge Trust


Volunteering in Lambeth An introduction to · Volunteering in Lambeth An introduction to Volunteer...

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