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Volunteering for a short-term work experience module
You may choose to undertake work experience as part of a credited module in your course. This may include needing set hours, a specific type of experience, or other criteria to meet your module requirements.
Our Volunteering Bank is a great tool to support your search and applications. When you apply through the Volunteering Bank:
- a health and safety check has been undertaken with the organisation
- you’ll get support with your search and applications through the Volunteering Team
- once you’ve registered, we’ll send a summary of your module requirements to the organisation to check suitability
- we’ll provide ongoing support throughout the recruitment process
Considerations for short-term modules;
- not all organisations advertising via the Volunteering Bank can accept applications for course modules. We’ll let you know once you have submitted your registration
- you may need to begin volunteering before your module start date, however , this will allow you to complete your induction and training early
- if you’re not in Portsmouth when applying, highlight this and your expected return date on your application to plan interviews or training
- try to apply at least 30 days before your deadline so you have plenty of time for interviews, training, DBS checks (if applicable) and time to apply for alternative opportunities if you are unsuccessful
- look at the time commitment and training involved in the role. You may need a set amount of hours, but organisations also stipulate how long they would like you to commit. It’s important to think about the needs of the organisation too
Who can you use as a reference?
Similarly to paid employment, volunteering roles can require you to provide at least 2 references. References from partners or family members won't be accepted, and friends will be reviewed on an application basis. Remember to ask your references for permission before passing on their contact information. Not doing this could delay the application process. Below is an overview of who you can use:
- 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
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check
A DBS check helps employers make safer recruitment decisions. They report on a candidate’s convictions, cautions, reprimands, and warnings you may have received. DBS checks will generally be carried out for roles involving children and vulnerable adults.
DBS checks are provided by the organisation. If there is an administrative fee, it will be listed on our adverts. Organisations may sometimes accept a University-issued DBS check. 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 your address history. You must provide three original copies of your ID documents. The most commonly used documents are:
- 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 are an international student, further information on applying for a DBS check as an overseas applicant can be found here.
It is useful to register with the Update Service once you've received your paper certificate. This 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 28 days of the certificate being issued.
Volunteering as an international student
If you’re studying on a Student Route Visa, you’ll have term and vacation working restrictions. You need to check your visa to see these, as they will vary depending on your level of study. Please see here for more information on working restrictions and the types of work that you cannot undertake.
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.
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.
Contact the Volunteering Team
If you've got any questions about volunteering, contact the Volunteering Team at volunteering@port.ac.uk