Frequently asked questions & answers in full
1
What is volunteering?
Volunteering can be almost anything – from helping a child learn how to read, through to donating your design skills to a charity. Volunteering England defines volunteering as ‘any activity that involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the environment or someone (individuals or groups) other than, or in addition to, close relatives. Central to this definition is the fact that volunteering must be a choice freely made by each individual. This can include formal activity undertaken through public, private and voluntary organisations as well as informal community participation.’
For lots more information on volunteering, click here.
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And remember...
Volunteers should not do work that the employer would otherwise have to pay someone to do.2
Why do people volunteer?
People get involved in volunteering for lots of different reasons. Some people want to give something back to the community in which they live, others want to help other people who are worse off than themselves or more generally effect positive societal change. Other people do it to get experience in a particular industry, for example, teaching. Voluntary work looks good on your CV as it builds your experience of working with others and shows that you have generosity with your time.
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And remember...
There are lots of reasons to volunteer – it can benefit your CV as well as helping others at the same time!3
What is not-for-profit work?
Not-for-profit work is work that does not result in surplus financial gain, but instead directs all profits made back into furthering the goals of the organisation. Charities and public arts organisations such as the Arts Council are not-for-profit. Examples of student not-for-profit work might be creative projects that involve and benefit members of the local community. Such projects may be funded by an external organisation (i.e. from a local government grant), but all the money gets spent on making the work itself, and no monetary profit is made by the student facilitators.
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And remember...
Not-for-profit projects benefit others, but do not lead to financial reward for the person doing the work (i.e. you!).Really useful sites
Volunteering EnglandVolunteering England works to support and increase the quality, quantity, impact and accessibility of volunteering throughout England.
TimebankTimeBank is a national charity inspiring and connecting a new generation of people to volunteer in their communities, and enabling charitable organisations and businesses to develop innovative and effective volunteer recruitment programmes.
Junction 49Junction49 is an online network that can help you set up your own projects, campaigns or events about issues that matter to you, and signpost you to appropriate funding.
Arts JobsThe Arts Jobs list is a daily email bulletin collated by the Arts Council that details current vacancies and opportunities in the arts community, many of which are voluntary or for social benefit of others.
VinspiredV is the national young volunteers service, an independent charity dedicated to helping young people aged 16-25 years old volunteer in ways that matter to them. They work with over 500 charities and community organisations to create youth volunteering opportunities.
ECCAThe Enterprise Centre for the Creative Arts is based at the University of the Arts London and offers a huge range of services specific to starting and running your own business such as workshops, seminars, and free one-to-one advice with specialist advisers. The centre is open to all students and graduates of the University of the Arts London.
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