You are under no obligation to keep volunteering for an organisation if you don’t like it. But if you’re unhappy it is always worth talking to whoever is responsible for you to see if anything can be done to improve your time as a volunteer.

If you feel that something is seriously wrong, or someone is treating you badly, you can check if your organisation has a complaints procedure and follow its guidance.

If you simply don’t enjoy your position and want to try something else, you can apply for a different opportunity through our volunteer platform or by contacting our team directly.

Most organisations reimburse out of pocket expenses such as travel or meals, usually within set limits. Some organisations will also provide clothing or childcare costs but this is the exception rather than the rule.

You will need to check what expenses an individual organisation pays before you start volunteering.

Volunteering will not affect your benefits so long as you are still able to meet the conditions for receiving those benefits, e.g. you need to be free to attend job interviews.

If you have a condition that prevents you from doing paid work, in most cases, you will not be able to do this on a voluntary basis either. However, volunteering is viewed as helpful in gaining paid employment and is also therapeutic when recovering from an illness or managing a long term condition.

Not usually. Some volunteering opportunities require qualifications such as counselling and some need particular skills and experience, but most organisations provide whatever training is necessary.

If particular qualifications are needed, this will be stated in the volunteer role description. Often organisations are looking for personal skills – such as being able to get on with a wide variety of people, being reliable and being enthusiastic about a particular interest or cause – rather than academic qualifications.

Some organisations may offer volunteers qualifications such as Child Protection, Safeguarding Adults, First Aid, Food Hygiene, Mentoring and Befriending if this is relevant to the role.

By volunteering you will also gain valuable experience, develop your skills and be able to ask the organisation for a reference. Many organisations present Certificates of Recognition to volunteers.