Volunteers – FAQ

Below are some of our frequently asked questions from volunteers:

 

How do I start volunteering with you? 

Please fill out our Volunteer enquiry form or contact us by calling our Head office on 0131 228 9441 or email us, enquiries@lead.org.uk. Give your details and the area where you live, and a member of staff will contact you to discuss further.

 

Do I have to support a learner or befriendee?  Is there something else I could do? 

Most volunteers support learners or befriendees. There may be other types of volunteering opportunities available too. We offer a personalised service to learners and befriendees, which means every person has different goals and interests. Volunteers can support us in many ways such as: 

• Supporting a learner or befriendee 1 to 1 to build their confidence and learn new skills 

• Helping someone learn subjects like literacy, numeracy, form-filling, communication and digital skills 

• Supporting a group of learners who are being supported by a tutor to achieve a qualification. 

• Helping us develop learning resources like our  Open University in Scotland digital skills course 

• Contributing to promote Lead’s work by recording videos, taking photos and sharing your story 

 

Will volunteering affect my benefits?

You can volunteer while receiving benefits as long as you continue to meet all the conditions of your benefit. 

If you’re getting a benefit, you can volunteer for any type of organisation. However, you cannot volunteer for a close relative. 

Tell the office that pays your benefits about any volunteering that you are planning to do before you start.  

For current guidelines please visit the Government website on Volunteering and claiming benefits  Volunteering and claiming benefits – GOV.UK 

 

Will expenses be paid?

Yes, expenses are paid to volunteers monthly. Mileage is paid at 45p per mile plus a reimbursement of costs incurred, agreed in advance with your volunteer co-ordinator. 

 

Do you offer training?

Yes. We have mandatory induction training for all volunteers. Talk to us about what other training might be available to support you in your role. 

 

Do you provide references?

We are happy to provide a reference to support you into employment or a career change. We will do this once we get to know you and you have volunteered for us for more than 6 months. We can also offer a reference for up to six months after you stop volunteering with us. In the reference we will include the dates which you volunteered and the role that you undertook.  

 

Will I get to use my own skills in this role? 

We will always try to provide you with a role which is tailored for you. If you have a certain skill such as mentoring, teaching, language or music, we will try to match you with someone who can benefit from your knowledge and expertise. We will talk to you about the boundaries of the role which will manage expectations on both sides. 

 

Can I leave the role at any time? 

We will have regular reviews with you as one of our valued volunteers. We understand that people move on and circumstance change and if this is the case you only need to let us know. We would appreciate as much notice as possible to allow us to provide continuity for your volunteer match. You will be asked to fill out an exit survey for your views to help inform how we develop future volunteering opportunities.