GoVolHerts makes it very easy to find great volunteer roles and contact charities and community groups to let them know you’re interested.
What happens next?
It depends on the organisation and the role. Sometimes you can get started almost straight away but it's rarely quite as quick as the clipboard in the image suggests! Necessary checks and processes during recruitment may mean the process takes a little while. You'll probably need to provide some information about yourself and your suitability for the role. The organisation will most likely want to know why you are interested in this role and what you hope to get from volunteering. You will probably have some questions for them too. You might need to complete an application form and have a chat or a meeting with the volunteer manager.
If your application is successful you may be asked to sign an agreement about your volunteering and you might be requested to do some training before you get started volunteering.
References
As part of your application you may be asked for references. These might not need to be formal (work/education) references, personal references might be fine; do check with the organisation if you aren't sure about what references you can give.
Identity
You are likely also to be asked to provide ID documents. If an organisation requests a DBS check for you they will need to check your ID.
Criminal records and DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Checks
For some volunteer roles, when you have applied to be a volunteer and you seem a suitable fit, you will be asked to disclose convictions and have a DBS check. Often this won’t be necessary; it depends on the role.
This is part of the organisation’s safeguarding responsibilities and responsible recruitment. In deciding whether such checks are needed, and at what level, the organisation will consider the responsibilities of the role, who volunteers will be interacting with and the activities involved, as well as associated risks. For some roles, it is a legal requirement for checks to be carried out and some people are barred from working/volunteering in roles with vulnerable adults and children. Organisations can consult formal guidance to know whether a check is legally required for a volunteer role and about the appropriateness of different levels of checks.
Basic checks
Not required by law, but for some roles organisations may have decided these are necessary. They are requested by the person themselves.
There is a fee for a basic check. If the organisation asks for you to request this check and share the results with them, it is good practice for them to reimburse you the costs incurred.
Standard, Enhanced and Enhanced with Barred checks
These are only appropriate in particular circumstances and must be requested by the organisation.
Checks will provide information that is accurate at the time of issue and if there are any matters of potential concern which show up in the check, the organisation will discuss this with you.
In roles which require these more advanced checks, the organisation’s policy will likely require a check to be repeated after a period of time.
DBS Update Service
With Standard and Enhanced checks there is a useful way to check for any new issues, saving time and effort and avoiding having to repeat the check process from scratch, through the volunteer applying to the Update service. This can only be organised during the process of applying for your DBS check or within a short period of receiving your certificate.
Guidance about the Update Service
Whilst there is a charge for this service, it is free for volunteers.
If you have a conviction
Each individual should be looked at on their own merit. Some past convictions will not be considered relevant for a role. In some roles your lived experience may be a strength.
You may find this information useful: Volunteering - Unlock.
Volunteering in the right role can be a great way to make contacts and friends, feel you're contributing, boost your self-esteem and confidence, get into a routine, enhance your skills, get experience and references. For many, it's a useful and rewarding step on the way towards paid work.