What is VolunTees?

VolunTees is an online interactive service matching University of Teesside students and staff who want to get involved in volunteering with organisations who need them.

Where do the opportunities on VolunTees come from?

VolunTees hosts opportunities from any local, national or international organisation that conforms to our strict code of practice, ensuring at all times both the health & safety of the volunteer and the quality of  the volunteering opportunity. Internal university groups may also advertise on VolunTees.

Why use VolunTees?

VolunTees matches the skills, interests and availability you register in your profile with opportunities on the database, providing you with a bespoke list to browse through each time you log on. If you can’t find anything you’d like to do in your personal list, you can search the entire database as well and apply for any opportunities you’d like to take part in.

What is voluntary work?

The definition of volunteering used in the 1997 National Survey of Volunteering is "any activity which involves spending time, unpaid, doing something which aims to benefit someone(individuals or groups) other than or in addition to close relatives, or to benefit the environment."

Although voluntary work is unpaid, reasonable expenses such as transport or meal costs, are normally reimbursed to the volunteer.

Why should I volunteer?

 Different people volunteer for different reasons and no one reason is necessarily more valid than the next. Here are just some of the reasons people may choose to volunteer:

• to do something for a cause they feel passionate about or one which impacts their lives or the lives of a friend/family member in some way
• to make a difference - Volunteering gives people the opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives or the environment
• to be able to 'give something back' to their community or the wider society
• to try something completely new, to enrich their lives with fresh experiences or even as a spur to taking a new direction
• to enhance existing or develop new skills
• to gain valuable and relevant work experience for future job applications
• to meet new people and make new friends: volunteering provides an opportunity to meet people you would not normally come across
• to build confidence
• to have FUN!!

Volunteering is also good for you! There is documented evidence that volunteering can improve your health. In “The Healing Power of Doing Good”, writer Allan Luks found medical and scientific documentation supporting the health benefits of volunteering, such as:

• a heightened sense of well-being
• an improvement in insomnia
• a stronger immune system
• speedier recovery from surgery

 

How can volunteering help my career?

A survey carried out by TimeBank through Reed Executive showed that among 200 of the UK’s leading businesses:

• 73% of employers would employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one without
• 94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills
• 58% say that voluntary work experience can actually be more valuable than experience gained in paid employment
• 94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted.

Additionally, volunteering gives you the opportunity to test out potential career choices by giving you hands on experience of how different professions operate. If you are already working, volunteering can help you change your career direction

You may come into contact with all kinds of professionals and people from every walk of life. In fact, the networking opportunities volunteering can provide are among the least publicised but most exciting benefits of all. A good network can guide your career pathway right through life and help you take giant steps towards your ideal job. Up to 60% of job vacancies are not advertised and end up being filled internally or through external networking.

What have other volunteers done?

VolunTees is available for use by both staff and students at the University, and has supported volunteers in opportunities including:

• Supporting young people with disabilities to participate in leisure and social activities
• Mentoring young offenders leaving the prison system
• Volunteering as a guide at a local safety centre
• Various one-off conservation projects in conjunction with the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, including pond clearance and path building
• Community makeovers in community centres and school
• Volunteering at charity fundraising events, including a stress buster events, collections for the homeless
• Listening volunteer for The Samaritans
• Doing a garden makeover for a local nursery .......

...............And many more!

Will I get training?

Some organisations offer substantial training and support, but others don’t and expect you to learn on the job or contribute existing skills. All volunteers should have, at least, an induction session with the organisation to introduce you to the work and to the environment in which you will be placed. If necessary and appropriate, training should also be provided.

It also depends on the type of work you will be doing. For example, if you’re spending one day clearing overgrowth from paths, expect about 15 minutes at the start being told what to do, how to use the tools and what health and safety precautions to take. But if you volunteer to be a mentor you should get much more training. You might get an intensive 2 day training session before you are matched with a mentee, plus ongoing training to keep you up-to-date.

Do I really have time to volunteer?

One common misconception is that volunteering is only possible if you have a lot of free time on your hands. Volunteering opportunities are becoming increasingly flexible – it’s possible to volunteer full time but many people opt for part time hours that can be arranged around other commitments such as paid employment or child care. Also your hours do not have to be regular – you might work Monday afternoon one week for example and Wednesday morning the next.

How much time will I need to give?

This really depends on the time you have to offer, but should be agreed, in advance, with the organisation with whom you volunteer. Check with the organisation how much time you will be expected to give and make sure the answer matches your ability and willingness to give time. Try something out and see how you feel about it unless you are sure you want to make a long-term commitment. Be honest with yourself and the organisation. It may be better to start with a few hours and build up from there.

Some volunteering opportunities require an ongoing commitment, of perhaps 1-3 hours a week, over the course of a term or academic year, whilst others are available as one-off activities or only a few hours each month. If your time is more limited, you may be able to volunteer in the evenings or at weekends. Some opportunities may even allow you to volunteer on-line. Opportunities you find on VolunTees should make it clear how much time is required. There is something to suit everyone and if you haven't found it on VolunTees let us know and we'll try and find an opportunity for you or put you in touch with the relevant organisation.

I'm working full-time. Will I still be able to volunteer?

Yes, there are many opportunities to volunteer that do not require you to be available Monday to Friday during the day. Don’t be put off volunteering because you work full-time! Many organisations would love to find volunteers that are able to volunteer evenings, nights and/or weekends.

Some examples of out of office hours volunteering include: campaigning, the Samaritans, befriending & mentoring It is important however, to check out with any organisation you are interested in volunteering for, what time commitment they have in mind. You will need to work out how many hours you will volunteer for and for how long you wish to volunteer.

Can I volunteer for more than one opportunity?

Obviously your academic work must take priority but, as long as you have the time, there is nothing to stop you volunteering for several opportunities. It’s a good idea to start with one and see how you get on, before taking on the time commitment of another as, obviously, it’s best to avoid starting something and then having to drop out because you’re finding it difficult to manage. However, some people do successfully volunteer for 2 different roles, perhaps ½ day a week providing administrative support to a busy local charity and one evening a fortnight mentoring a young person…neither takes an excessive amount of time and both can develop your skills, as well as enriching your life.

What if I change my mind after starting to volunteer?

As a volunteer you are free to leave whenever you like. There are no obligations for you to continue volunteering for an organisation if you are unhappy or if your circumstances change to an extent that makes volunteering no longer possible. It’s good to talk things through with the person in charge at the organisation and give them some notice if possible if you intend to stop.  If you wish to leave because you are unhappy then let us or the organisation know of any problems, as we may be able to help.

What expenses will I be paid?

You will not be paid for the time that you give to volunteer but you should not be left out of pocket, i.e. reasonable expenses incurred as a result of your volunteering, such as transport or meal costs, will be reimbursed. Please speak to Jayne Villiers for more details.

Can I volunteer if I have a disability?

Yes. There are disabled volunteers in all kinds of roles. If you have particular concerns, or are unable to find an opportunity, please contact us.

Do I have to disclose my disability?

It's up to you whether you want to disclose your disability or not. But by telling us and the organisation it gives us an opportunity to look at ways to support you to carry out your volunteering role more confidently and safely.

Disclosing your disability is also a great way to help raise the organisation’s awareness and understanding of how to involve disabled people as volunteers.

What skills will I need/can I develop?

That depends on the opportunity. Some don't require any particular skills, while for others it may be important, for example training in web design would be needed to help a charity build a new website. Every opportunity on VolunTees provides volunteers with the chance to use or develop a wide range of skills and these are listed in the opportunity details for you to check before you apply to take part.

When can I start getting involved?

As soon as you register your details you can start applying for opportunities. For some opportunities you will be able to start straight away, others might need you to provide references and then you will be able to start participating!

If there is a wait before you get started, many organisations will start training you or you may be able to start under supervision. If not, you can attend any of the volunteering training organised through VolunTees.

What are Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures (Police checks)?

For some opportunities (usually a project that involves working with children or vulnerable adults) volunteers will need to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure or Police Check.

Organisations (or the University if on a VolunTees project) will provid you with a form to complete. You will be asked to provide various forms of personal ID (guidance will be provided on both the completion of the form and the types of ID required). The form is then sent to the CRB, where your details will be checked against the Police National Computer system. If you have a criminal record it will be stated on your CRB disclosure certificate, 2 copies of which will be sent out, one to you at your home address and one to us at VolunTees or to the volunteering organisation.

The clearance process can take some time and, although there are organisations willing to take on volunteers whilst the check is in progress (as long as they are never left unsupervised), others insist on the clearance being received before the volunteering starts. Therefore, it’s a good idea to complete the form as soon as possible after you decide you’d like to take part in an activity for which CRB clearance is deemed necessary.