Volunteer FAQs
Here are the answers to some common questions about volunteering, including who can volunteer, why you might consider volunteering and what we can do to support you.
Volunteers are so important to Shelter and help us to support far more people experiencing homelessness and bad housing, whether you support our clients directly or raise vital funds in our shops.
We really value the contribution of volunteers, and want to make sure that volunteering is a positive experience for you as well! It can help you to meet new people and develop new skills, as well as being enjoyable. It can also improve your health - research has shown that volunteering can reduce your chance of getting a number of major health conditions.
It can help you to get a new job too - 80% of employers said they're more likely to hire someone who has volunteering experience on their CV.
If you’re volunteering with us, you'll get all the training you need to complete your role confidently and safely. You’ll also have regular contact with a member of staff who'll help you identify any goals you’d like to reach.
You're welcome to get in touch: we might not be able to give a definite date when we'll have new volunteering roles, but we can take your details and get in contact with you when we're next recruiting.
Absolutely! The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) recognise that volunteering is a worthwhile experience for people either seeking work or experiencing ill health. You just need to make sure that your contact person at the DWP knows about your volunteering.
We ask for references for some of our roles, but don’t worry if you're struggling to think of somebody. We have a flexible approach to references and can help you identify suitable people. It could be a family friend or a support worker. for example.
We might ask you to complete a Basic Disclosure if you'll be in contact with our clients or accessing our IT systems as part of your role, and you'll need to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme if you're working directly with children or vulnerable adults.
Don’t worry though! We'll support you through the whole process and pay for it too. We have an inclusive approach to volunteering, and will still consider your application if you have convictions.
No, absolutely not. We're delighted that volunteers give us their time and believe that you shouldn’t be out of pocket for doing so.
We offer reasonable travelling expenses which will be agreed with you before you start volunteering, and you're able to claim money back for food if you're volunteering for long periods of time. Our approach to repaying expenses is flexible and we’ll make sure that you’re not out of pocket for long.