Frequently asked questions

Volunteering is 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.

People volunteer for many reasons. For example, volunteering is really enjoyable, so many people simply like that it makes them feel good! By volunteering you also get to help your community.

You can also volunteer for specific goals and purposes, for example:

• Make friends and meet new people
• Learn a new skill
• Share your skills and experience with others
• Boost your confidence
• Improve your own wellbeing

The breadth of activities you might do as a volunteer is endless. For example, you can do:

• practical conservation work
• be event steward for an arts festival
• walk / foster a dog
• social media or marketing support
• fundraise for a worthwhile cause
• mentor a young person
• become an adviser for Citizen's Advice
• help to cook a community meal
• telephone befriending
• become a trustee

This is just a short list. To find the right role for you, think about what you enjoy doing. It's also important to keep in mind the amount of time you can offer and where you would like to volunteer.

If you're unsure about what you could do, do our Talent Scan quiz to get some recommendations based on a few simple questions.

To see the full variety of available roles, visit our Opportunity Search.

The first step is to message the organisation you're interested in volunteering for. They will then get in touch with you and guide you through their application process.

All volunteer roles are different and each organisation has a different recruitment process, but you should expect to be given a clear role description and support in your role.

Most organisations will want you to complete an application form and will ask you to attend an informal interview. You will likely be asked for two references and some roles will need you to complete a DBS check (there should be no charge to you for this).

There is no set time limit to the recruitment process. This can a take anywhere between days, weeks or months, depending on; the role, the organisations’ resources, when the induction training is booked for and the time it takes to receive references and DBS checks etc. Some roles such as ‘one-off’ volunteering can be quicker and may not ask for the same forms and checks to be completed.

As a volunteer, you will not be paid for your time, but you should not be ‘out of pocket’ for any volunteering you undertake. Travel expenses are usually reimbursed and in some cases, lunch and other out of pocket expenses are covered.

Many roles advertised on Get InVOLved Norfolk will indicate that the organisation will reimburse volunteer's expenses. However, if this is an area of concern, it’s always best to check with your chosen role that they cover any expenses.

If at any point you are no longer enjoying your volunteer role, or your circumstances change, you are able to freely leave that role. It should be made clear in your induction, how you would go about this process.

The previous volunteering platform closed at the beginning of July 2022. All active groups and volunteers have been invited to sign up to Get InVOLved Norfolk.