No. You don’t need to have any experience to start volunteering. If you do have experience then you may be able to use your experience to help with a particular project.

How much time will I need to volunteer?

Volunteering can take as little or as much time as you are willing to give. You might want to volunteer a few hours every week for a long term commitment or you might want to start with a one day event. Like most things, the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it.

Can I get reimbursed for my expenses?

Yes. You can be reimbursed for your travel costs when volunteering in Leicestershire and for other expenses you may have incurred as a result of your volunteering. Please contact us before incurring expenses and refer to the Contact Policy.

Will I have to be interviewed?

Most organisations are not likely to formally interview you before they place you but they will probably want to have an informal chat. Generally, the more responsibility a role has the more formal the interview will become. Either way this gives you, and the organisation, a chance to assess each other and an opportunity to ask questions.

Will I receive training?

Yes, most opportunities involve some training. This can be a great way to enhance your abilities and gain new skills as well as essential preparation for your volunteering.

Can I get recognition for my volunteer work?

Yes! There are a number of different ways that your volunteer work can be formally recognised.

All students who volunteer through Contact Student Volunteers will receive a certificate at the end of the academic year and an invitation to our annual celebration event. Some of the training you receive will be accredited and result in the awarding of a certificate. We also plan regular social events for our volunteers so your volunteering is fun as well as rewarding!

The Leicester Award for Employability Skills is open to all volunteers and is an excellent way to make the most of your work experience while gaining a qualification from the Institute of Leadership and Management – a valuable addition to your CV.

>>Find out more about the Leicester Award for Employability Skills

Both V (www.vinspired.com) and Duke of Edinburgh (www.theaward.org) offer young people the opportunity to work towards an award while they volunteer.

I need specific experience – can I get it through volunteering?
There are a number of careers that are only accessible once you have completed some voluntary work. For example almost all teachers, lawyers, social workers, journalists, conservationists and museum directors will have spent some time working as a volunteer in their field before starting their career in earnest. We can help you find the experience you are looking for – just drop by and ask. You can also view our Careers Related Leaflets for suggestions of projects.

Can I volunteer abroad?
Yes. There are a number of organisations who can help you find a volunteer placement abroad.

>>Follow the link to the Volunteering Abroad page

I’m working full-time. Can I still volunteer?
Yes. Lots of volunteering projects have volunteer opportunities that you can fit around your work commitments. There is also some scope for volunteering while you are at work. At the University of Leicester staff members are able to volunteer for Right to Read during working hours. Find out more about Right to Read.

Many organisations now have staff volunteering polices which allow staff time off to volunteer. This is often part of their corporate social responsibility

What if I don’t like it?
If your volunteer placement is not going as you would like don’t keep quiet about it. Try to talk to someone within the organisation, either a colleague, your volunteer co-ordinator or someone else you get along with. It may be that your expectations don’t match those of the organisation or that there has been some miscommunication. Either way, you are under no formal obligation to stay if you are not happy. If you feel that something is seriously wrong or someone is treating you badly it is also worth checking whether your organisation has a complaints procedure.

What is a Criminal Record Bureau Check?
A Criminal Records Bureau check (CRB) is a method of ensuring all volunteers disclose criminal convictions. Having a criminal record does not necessarily mean you cannot volunteer. It very much depends on the nature of the conviction. The form is easy to complete with guidance from your project co-ordinator and generally takes 4-6 weeks to clear. Everyone working or volunteering with young children or with vulnerable people is required by law to have CRB clearance. You can find more information regarding CRB checks here: www.crb.gov.uk

Do I need a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check?

If the project you wish to volunteer with works with children or vulnerable adults, you probably need to have a CRB check done. In most cases the project or organisation you volunteer for will take care of this and also let you know which documentation you will need.

What if I already have a CRB check?
If you already have a copy of an enhanced CRB check then you may not need to complete a new form. It depends on the project that you hope to volunteer with and how long ago your check was completed. Bring a copy of your disclosure clearance form with you to your first meeting and be sure to ask the project leader.

Help! I need to fill in a CRB form
The form is easy to complete with guidance from your project co-ordinator. You can attend a CRB checking Session in Careers Service to complete a form, for details of CRB checking sessions, please visit the Careers Service Help Desk. After approximately 4-6 weeks you should receive a copy of your CRB disclosure, which you need to keep safe. You should only need to complete a CRB form via the Careers Service if you will definately be volunteer for the following projects:

right to read
After School Clubs
SCAMP
Creative Writing in Primary School (CWIPS)

For any other roles that require CRB checks, you should contact the organisation who will supply you with their own CRB form as not all organisations accept CRB disclosures from other organisations.

A £15 administration fee may be applicable if CRB forms are completed but the volunteer work is not undertaken.

Please do contact us (contact@le.ac.uk) if you are unsure if you need to complete a CRB form or need any further information or help.

See the CRB guidance sheet to help you fill in the form

See the list of ID you can provide.

Download continuation sheet if you need to include extra information

FAQs relating to Contact Student Volunteers

What is Contact Student Volunteers?
Contact Student Volunteers is an Association within the Students’ Union. It is run by an elected team of students called the Contact Executive and is supported by our Student Volunteer Co-ordinator. The Student Volunteer Co-ordinator is a full time member of the Careers Service and they will often be the first point of contact for students who want to find out more about volunteering.

How can I become a member of Contact Student Volunteers?
To become a member of Contact you will need to complete an online registration form. Once you have completed your form you will begin to receive regular emails (approximately one per week) alerting you to new projects, training sessions, events and social activities.

How do I find Contact Student Volunteers?
Contact can be reached in the following ways:

The Contact office is located in the ARC, Students Union, Percy Gee Building, University of Leicester. You will also find information about volunteering through Contact Student Volunteers in the Careers Service in the David Wilson Library, University of Leicester.

Email: contact@le.ac.uk
Post: Contact, ARC, Students Union, Percy Gee Building, University of Leicester, LE1 7RH

Does it cost anything to become a member?
It is absolutely free to become a member of Contact Student Volunteers. If you incur travel expenses to get to and from your place of volunteering, you will be able to claim these back from Contact.

Should your project require a CRB check (and the project is unable to perform the check) we can refer you to Admissions where you can get your check done free of charge.

What’s happening now with Contact Student Volunteers?
Our volunteering Events Diary is a good place to start to find out what training and volunteer events are happening in the coming weeks. You can also view a list of volunteering projects on our Volunteering Bulletin and website.

>>Link to the Volunteering Diary

I’m already volunteering – can I join Contact?
Yes! We’d love to hear from you even if you are already volunteering. We can still offer you support and a whole new network of like-minded people who enjoy volunteering. You will receive information about social events, training, accreditation and you will receive a certificate at the end of the year to acknowledge your contribution and commitment to the local community. Why not become a member of Contact now?

You might also want to learn how to make the most of your volunteer placement.

I am in Leicester all summer. What options do I have?
Many projects are still running over the summer months. There are often residential schemes for young people that are looking for volunteers. If you like the great outdoors we have plenty of conservation projects you can get involved in. We sometimes arrange one-off projects and to find out about these you need to become a member of Contact Student Volunteers to receive Contact's E-Bulletin. There are lots of volunteering opportunities at festivals and concerts around the country where you can get in for free if you help out with recycling. Just come and talk to us in the Careers Service to find out more about summer opportunities.

I am graduating this spring. Do I have to stop volunteering?
No! is the answer in most cases. If you already are involved in a community project you can carry on volunteering for them. If you are relocating it is worth checking if your project exists in your new place of residence.

If you are involved in one of Contacts own projects such as SCAMP, After School Clubs and Creative Writing in Primary Schools you can only volunteer as long as you are a student at the University of Leicester due to insurance policies. It might be worth popping in to VAL (Voluntary Action Leicester) if you are staying in Leicester. If you are going on to a Master/PhD here at the university, you can carry on your volunteering.

I want to run for a Contact Executive committee post. What do I have to do?
Please send an email to contact@le.ac.uk stating that you wish to run for the Executive committee and which position you are interested in. We will contact you nearer the time. Elections for the following year take place each February.

>>Follow the link to find out more about Contact Student Volunteers

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FAQs relating to Contact Student Volunteers

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FAQs relating to Contact Student Volunteers