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The most important thing when thinking about volunteering is to decide what you want to gain from your experience. Most people feel that they have to volunteer just to ‘do good’ or ‘give something back’, but volunteers also gain valuable skills and experience.

To make the most of your time as a volunteer, it’s a good idea to sit down and write a list of reasons why you want to volunteer. If you want to help people, who do you mean? Young people, old people, young offenders, people with disabilities? If you want to gain experience, what kind of experience? Even if you want office experience, what skills do you want to gain? Using a computer? Answering the telephone?

If you’re specific about what you want to get from your time as a volunteer, it will help you find the placement that suits you best. Remember: the amount of time you give is up to you, but being reliable once you’re placed is very important.

In the UK, Volunteer Centres cover most areas. They exist to help people find volunteer opportunities and support them during their placement. Most Volunteer Centres will offer you a one-to-one interview, at their office or somewhere more local to you. If you prefer, they can provide you with information by telephone, post or email. Volunteer Centres also post volunteering vacancies to the do-it.org.uk national volunteer opportunity website. Your local Volunteer Centre is there to offer free help and advice in finding the right volunteering placement for you, and to put you in touch with local organisations and projects which need your help.

In LeicesterShire there are Volunteer Centres in Ashby, Blaby District, Castle Donington, Coalville, Hinckley and Bosworth, Leicester city centre, Loughborough, Lutterworth, Market Harborough, Melton, Oadby and Wigston, Shepshed, and Syston. Contact details for the Volunteer Centre closest to you are available here.

One-to-one sessions

Volunteer Centres offer one-to-one advice sessions, open to anyone wanting to know more about volunteering or what is involved. One-to-one sessions are free, and are held at the Volunteer Centre offices during opening hours in a private confidential space. If you are unable to attend during opening hours but still want a one-to-one session, contact the Volunteer Centre to try and organise a mutually convenient time.

A one-to-one session is an informal chat about volunteering – you’re not committing to anything by attending one. They usually last about 30 minutes. Though all Volunteer Centres work differently, the minimum you can expect is:

• A welcome and brief introduction to what the Volunteer Centre does
• An explanation about what will happen in the advice session
• Talking about what you would like to get out of volunteering, including what and when you would like to do something
• Going through the volunteering vacancies that are available, and talking about each option, with print-outs of any opportunities that interest you
• Discussing what happens next, possibly with the chance to complete or take away an application form to register as a volunteer
• Finally, answering any questions you might have.

Once you’re fully informed about placements that might suit you and made your decision, the Volunteer Centre will be able to advise you on what to do next.

They may suggest making an appointment to visit the organisation. This is not a commitment to volunteering with them, just to finding out more. It is also a chance to speak to the people you will be volunteering with, to look around and answer any queries you may still have. It is important to find out as much as you can about the role before you say yes, to avoid wasting their time and yours.

What else do I need to consider?

• What does the organisation do?
• Do I agree with their principles?
• Does the role interest me?
• Will it meet my aims and help me get the experience I want?
• What level of responsibility will it take?
• Are they in a good area for me?
• Are the volunteering times and commitment going to fit in with my schedule?
• Do they pay expenses?
• Do they only run training at certain times of the year? If so, when is the next training available?
• Do I need to have some specific skills or qualifications?
• How long before I can get started?

The majority of organisations will ask for one or two character references. These should be from people who have known you for over a year. It’s best to get their permission to be your referee before the organisation contacts them. The referee cannot be a relative or partner.

Organisations offering volunteer placements with vulnerable people or children will also need a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check (formerly known as a police check). If you have a conviction, this does not necessarily exclude you from volunteering. The CRB check is to identify those who are a risk to the organisation’s client group.

Remember that, like a new job, a new volunteering placement can take a period of adjustment as you get used to your role. If you do have problems or questions, speak to your named contact in the organisation, or to your Volunteer Centre.

Many organisations will cover expenses, such as travelling costs or meals while volunteering, but some may not have sufficient funds, or not realise volunteers should be paid expenses. It’s a good idea to check before you agree to volunteer.