Frequently Asked Questions

Scroll down the page to find find the answers to commonly asked questions about volunteering.

What can I do as a volunteer?

There are many different volunteer positions and you’ll be surprised at how much is available. A volunteer may assist an organisation’s clients directly or help with admin or organisational duties such as serving meals at a drop-in centre, editing content for a newsletter, helping to organise a special event etc.

You could also help pupils with their reading at an Islington school or engage with the council and other agencies to improve the quality of life in your area.

In fact you can do almost anything. You’ll find an organisation somewhere that will cater for your interests.

How much time do I have to volunteer for?

You can give us much or as little time as you can spare and you can volunteer at any time of the week, day or night. You may chose to do only a few hours a month but you’ll have more choice if you can make a longer commitment.

Can I leave at any time?

There is no obligation to stay. After all you’re doing this voluntarily and may decide that you don’t want to do it anymore.

If you’re unhappy about what you’re doing with an organisation you’ll usually find that they are happy to discuss problems and find ways to sort things out.

Can I get my expenses paid?

Most organisations will pay your expenses, including meals and travel and possibly other benefits. However you will need to ask beforehand to find out exactly what is offered.

Can I still claim benefits and volunteer?

Yes, as long as you only receive reasonable expenses, you can volunteer for as long as you like and still claim benefits. However, if you claim certain benefits such as Job Seeker’s Allowance you must still remain available for and actively be seeking a job.

You can download a useful factsheet about volunteering and benefits from the bottom of this page.

Can I get training and a qualification?

The amount of training offered varies greatly from one organisation to another. Some of the larger groups offer structured training programmes which, in some cases, lead to a recognised qualification such as a NVQ. They may also be able to support you into further training elsewhere. Other training, such as on health and safety, is common for most organisations.

Many people find that they learn new skills volunteering and it's a very good way of getting the experience that you need to get a job. In some cases this could lead to paid work with the voluntary organisation itself.

Will I need a police check?

If your volunteering brings into contact with children or vulnerable adults you may be asked to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check. If you need one, the voluntary organisation will apply for this free of charge on your behalf.

What should I do before I volunteer?

Think a bit about the issues that you think are important, what you would like to do and the amount of time that you want to commit. This will make it easier for you to find the right volunteering opportunity.

How do I find out about volunteering opportunities?

There are over 1,000 voluntary and community groups in Islington and most rely on volunteers to some extent. Also, the council has a number of projects that are looking for residents to help.

You can find out how more about these from the volunteering pages of the council website. This includes how to find current vacancies in the borough held by Voluntary Action Islington, Islington Giving and through the Do It! online database of volunteering opportunities.

What happens when I find a volunteering opportunity?

First you contact the organisation by email, phone or in person. Often they will have someone responsible for recruiting and working with volunteers.

You will then be invited to come to an information session or interview where you can learn more about the organisation and the volunteer vacancy and they can find out about you and your skills and experience.

You may also be asked to complete an application form and supply a personal reference. If you’re going to work with children or vulnerable adults you may also need to have a CRB check.

You will then both agree start date and times etc.