Volunteering - Further Information

Things to consider for a short-term placement:

• Some organisations can't defer applications and require a face-to-face interview. For this reason, you may need to start volunteering before your module starts. This gives you the benefit of being able to 'hit the ground running' when your module starts and make the most of your volunteering. Keep this in mind, especially if you are applying for a placement over the summer.

• Think about your placement deadline - make sure you apply with plenty of time to factor in interviews, training, DBS checks (if applicable) and if you are unsuccessful and need to apply for alternative opportunities.

• Consider the time commitment and training for the role. Can it give you the amount of hours required each week? Does the role fit in with your timetable and other commitments?

• Are there mandatory training sessions and, if so, do they fit around your lectures? All this information will be listed on the role advert, so take time to research this before applying.

• Be mindful of the commitment asked by the organisation. If they ask for a longer commitment than your module requires, remember that volunteering needs to be mutually beneficial for both parties.

Providing references

Similarly to paid employment, volunteering roles will require you to provide 2 references. References from partners or family members won't be accepted and friends will be reviewed on an application basis.

Make sure you find out who qualifies as a reference before you contact them. Your reference should be one of the following:

• Professional – a current or previous employer. You can also use current or previous work experience organisations
• Academic – a current lecturer or personal tutor. You can also use a sixth-form teacher or teacher from school/college
• Character reference – this can be a family friend or someone you know in a personal context who has a professional status such as a doctor, solicitor or pastor, president of a University society etc.
• Reference Type - References can be from outside of the UK but must provide an email address if this is the case and provided in English. Remember to ask your references for permission before passing on their contact information. Not doing this could delay the application process. 

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

A Disclosure and Barring Service check (or DBS check for short) is the analysis and record of your past. It specifically looks at any convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings you may have received. DBS checks will generally be carried out for roles involving children and vulnerable adults. Where possible, the Volunteering Team makes it clear which roles require DBS checks.

DBS checks are provided by the organisation and are free to volunteers. Some organisations will request an administrative fee, review the role description for clarification on this.  If you're volunteering for academic credit (as part of a placement or module), the host or organisation can ask the University to cover the cost of the DBS process. If a DBS check is needed for you to start volunteering, consider how the processing of this check could impact your start date.

To get a DBS check you'll need to provide identification and an address history. Below are the ID documents most commonly used, these need to be original copies:

• Current passport
• Current UK Driving licence
• A recent bill (less than 3 months old and posted to your address – Council Tax bills can be up to 12 months old)

Full details of acceptable ID can be found on the Government website. If you've had a check done in the last 6 months some organisations will accept it. However we encourage you to bring your ID with you when requested by the organisation, just in case.

We would encourage you to register with the Update Service once you've received your paper certificate. The Update Service is an online subscription service that lets you keep your standard and enhanced DBS certificates up-to-date. This is free for volunteers and can be accessed by multiple organisations. You must register for the Update Service within 30 days of the certificate being issued.

Volunteering as an international student

If you are studying on a Tier 4 student visa or the new Student Route visa (issued from 5th October 2020), you will have working restrictions while you are studying in the UK. 

Please be aware that if your volunteering application is successful and the role is classed as ‘voluntary work’ rather than ‘volunteering’ by the organisation, they will conduct a Right to Work check before you can start the voluntary work. If you are from outside the UK or the Republic of Ireland and studying on a visa then you can find out more about your working restrictions for paid, unpaid and voluntary work and your responsibilities in this MyPort article. 

For more information and a summary overview of your working restrictions, including after completing your course and until your visa end date, please see Global’s Working during your Studies webpage. Information on international graduates working after studies can be found on this page of the UKCISA website. You can also visit the UK Visas and Immigration website for further information.