Frequently asked questions
If you are feeling a bit unsure about how to get started on your volunteering journey or are looking for some support whilst volunteering, we have put together a number of questions, which may help with some of the common thoughts, and questions that you may have around volunteering.
Getting Started
We offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities.
Using our Volunteering Search you can filter the opportunities by theme, relevance to your area of study , location and your availability.
We also offer a range of Sports Volunteering Opportunites through the NTU Sport website.
To search for an opportunity, you should head to the Volunteering Search page.
Brief deatils of all volunteer opportunities will be shown. You can then click on each opportunities to get more detailed information, including how to apply for the role. Please enusure that you are logged in to view detailed information and apply for roles.
We offer a range of additional opportunities through the NTU Sport Volunteering Programme, this offers students the chance to transform lives through the power of sport.
You can explore sports opportunities through the NTU Sport Volunteering page.
We regularly update the website with new and updated roles, with various levels of commitment. Each role will include detailed information on the eligibility criteria, as well as contact information for the organisation. If you have any questions about a role, we recommend getting in touch with the charity to get more information.
You can also join the Student Volunteering Network to find out regular information about roles, or drop a message in the chat to be answered by the CEV Team, one of our Student Volunteering Champions or a current volunteer.
You can also drop us an email on Volunteering@ntu.ac.uk.
It is not possible to volunteer att he university within an acadmic or professional services role, however there are a number of teams and projects within the university offering volunteering roles. Some of these include:
Yes! Using the Volunteering Search you can filter by commitment, we recommend setting the commitment filter to 'Short'.
You can also join the Student Volunteering Network to find out regular information about roles, where we ocassionally post last minute and one-off event based opportunities.
No, volunteering is not paid. You will be giving up your time on a voluntary basis.
Reasonable expenses for travel and subsistence (lunch during a period of 6 hours or longer) associated with volunteering can be reimbursed by our community partners and in some cases by the Community Engagement and Volunteering Team direct.
Volunteers should contact the volunteering on volunteering@ntu.ac.uk if they wish to reimburse any costs associated with their community volunteering, if their volunteering provider is unable to.
Please be aware that some volunteering activity is subject to visa restrictions, and it is your responsibility to ensure that you adhere to these.
If you have the right to work in the UK without restriction: you will be able to volunteer.
If you have the right to work with restrictions, for example Student Visa:
You can volunteer while you are studying. However, if you have a limit on the number of hours you can work you need to be aware of the UK Border Agency's definition of 'voluntary work' which is distinct from 'volunteering', see below for an explanation. Hours of voluntary work (not volunteering) must be counted in the total number of hours permitted.
Community Engagement and Volunteering do not run any volunteering opportunities which would be classed as ‘voluntary work’. Our voluntary opportunities help local charities, community organisations, voluntary or public sector organisations. We will not ask you to sign a contract and offer a variety of programmes requiring different levels of commitment from volunteers. We aim to ensure that all of the volunteering opportunities which we advertise meet the definition of 'volunteering'.
The difference between 'volunteering' and 'voluntary work'
Student Visa holders can volunteer while they are studying but must be careful as voluntary work is distinct from volunteering. Hours undertaking voluntary work (not volunteering) must be counted in your weekly permitted working hour allowance (according to your Student Visa conditions.)
Factors to take into account when considering if a particular activity constitutes voluntary work or volunteering are:
Voluntary workers will usually have contractual obligations to perform the work (e.g. to attend at particular times and carry out specific tasks) with the employer being contractually required to provide the work - the contract does not have to be written.
A voluntary worker is usually remunerated in kind (for example, getting free or highly discounted accommodation while working).
Volunteers do not have a contract, they must not be a substitute for an employee and must not be doing unpaid work - for example, receiving payments in kind (although they can sometimes be reimbursed for reasonable travel and subsistence expenses).
Volunteers usually help a charity or voluntary or public sector organisation.
Applying for your volunteering role
Once you have identified a role using the Volunteering Search and clicked through to the detailed information on MyEmployability, you should see a green button that say's 'How To Apply'. Once you click this you will be shown information on how to apply for the role.
Each role is different some may require a CV and cover letter, other will have an online application form. Don't forget you can visit My Employability to get more information and support on applications.
Most roles should include contact information in the description, if you have any questions specific to the organisation or role, we recommend contact the organisation directly.
If a role does not include contact details please feel free to get in touch with a member of The CEV Team via email - Volunteering@ntu.ac.uk
Each role is different some may require a CV and cover letter, other will have an online application form. You can visit My Employability to get more information and support on applications.
Acceptable referees normally include your personal tutor, any academic who has taught you, and your previous/current supervisors at any volunteering or paid employment.
Unfortunately, the CEV Team are unable to provide you with a reference.
DBS stands for Disclosure and Barring Service, and it is a government body responsible for checking people’s criminal records. A DBS Check might be needed if you are working with children, young people, or vulnerable adults.
If your organisation requires you to complete a DBS Check they should supply you with all the guidance on how to apply for one, and they should cover all expenses involved.
If you need to get a DBS Check you will need to provide identification documents. Check with your organisation which type of documents they will require.
During your volunteering role
Yes! Your charity or organisation should be able to provide you with a reference or written record on request.
If you are an undergraduate student, you can also gain HEAR recognition for your community volunteering. HEAR is your digital transcript that provides a full record of your academic and extracurricular achievements whilst studying.
For postgraduate students, unfortunately HEAR is not currently available nationally. However, consideration is being given to providing HEARs for postgraduate students at a later date. At present, postgraduate students must contact NTU directly for their transcript.
That's great news! We would love to hear your experiences and are always looking for students’ stories on their volunteering.
You can let us know about your volunteering experience by filling out the Volunteering Feedback Form.
If you would like to share your story in another format, or if you have any photos/videos you can contact us directly by email - volunteering@ntu.ac.uk.
Other Questions
Only current Nottingham Trent University Students and Staff can register their interest in roles through our website.
If you are not a student or member of staff, you can search using the Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service Website.
No.
Unfortunately we are unable to offer international or volunteering roles. If you are interested in international opportunities, please contact the Global Lounge.
If you've not found your answer here, feel free to contact The Community Engagement Team directly at Volunteering@ntu.ac.uk.
You can also join the Student Volunteering Network to find out regular information about roles, or to speak to the CEV Team, a Student Volunteering Champion or a current volunteer.