Frequently Asked Questions
Scroll down to find your question on the left. Suggested answers and further information can be found on the right.
The FAQs are divided into the following headings to help you navigate them more easily:
Statistics, figures and impacts of volunteering
Laws and rules
Recruitment, involvement and engagement
Policies and practice
Safeguarding
Statistics, figures and impacts of volunteering
| Where can I find statistics on people who volunteer (eg age, gender, ethnicity, geographical location, sector)? | |
| Is there a way of measuring the economic value of the work our volunteers are doing? | |
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Laws and rules
| Are there upper and lower age limits for volunteers? | |
| What are the rules for volunteers who claim state benefits? | |
| What expenses can we reimburse to volunteers? | |
| Can we offer a paid job to one of our existing volunteers? | |
| Is there an accepted definition of the word 'volunteer'? | |
| Can refugees and asylum seekers volunteer for us? | |
| Can we reimburse volunteer expenses in advance? | |
| Is it ok to pay volunteers honoraria? | |
| What do I need to know about volunteer drivers? | |
| How does the National Minimum Wage Act affect volunteers? | - Member only Information Sheet
Avoiding Creating Employment Contracts (coming soon) |
| How does the Data Protection Act affect volunteers? | |
| Are volunteers covered by Health and Safety legislation? | |
| Can we give our volunteers a flat rate expenses payment? | |
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Recruitment, involvement and engagement
| What should we consider for people who want to volunteer from home? | |
| Who should we accept as a referee for a volunteer? | |
| How do I create a fair and welcoming application and interview process? | |
| Where can I find more volunteers? | |
| How can we get our volunteers more involved and encourage them to come to meetings with our paid staff? | |
| We seem to be losing volunteers faster than we recruit them. Where are we going wrong? | |
| How can we retire older volunteers? | |
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Policies and practice
| I'm new to volunteer management. What resources are available to me? | |
| I'm setting up a volunteer programme. What do I need to consider? | |
| Should we have disciplinary and grievance policies for volunteers? | |
| Should we have a volunteer agreement? | |
| I'm writing a volunteer policy. Help! | |
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Safeguarding
| Where can I find information about CRB Disclosures? | |
| What can you tell me about the new Independent Safeguarding Authority? | |
| What other safeguarding measures should I consider? | |
| Should I take on someone with a criminal record as a volunteer? | |
| Where can I find information about safeguarding younger student volunteers? | |
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