{"id":16026,"date":"2017-12-12T14:56:34","date_gmt":"2017-12-12T14:56:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/?page_id=16026"},"modified":"2020-04-02T17:25:08","modified_gmt":"2020-04-02T16:25:08","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-16026\" data-postid=\"16026\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-16026 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    \t<!-- module_row -->\n\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_35sm558 tb_first tf_clearfix\">\n\t    \t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tf_box tf_w tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-3 first tb_vkba563 tf_box\">\n\t    \t    \t        <div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_b525565  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p style=\"text-align: left;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/liz-1.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-17559 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/liz-1-300x293.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"293\" srcset=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/liz-1-300x293.jpg 300w, http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/liz-1-768x751.jpg 768w, http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/liz-1-1024x1001.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/liz-1.jpg 1936w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p><p style=\"text-align: right; font-size: 200%; color: black;\">FAQ<\/p><p style=\"color: black; font-size: 120%; text-align: justify;\">We understand that contacting an organisation for the first time or going for a volunteer interview can be a bit daunting, so if you need a bit of help, look no further. If we haven\u2019t answered your question here just give us a ring on 01472 231123 or email liz@vanel.org.uk<\/p>    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text --><!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_fpx1589  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <div style=\"color: black; text-align: justify;\"><img style=\"width: 100px; height: 100px; padding-bottom: 30px; padding-right: 40px;\" src=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/QS.png\" align=\"left\" \/><strong>How do I start the conversation when I ring up for the first time?<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>\n<p style=\"color: black;\">All you need to say is, <span style=\"color: red;\">&#8216;<em>I understand you are looking for volunteers. How can I get involved?&#8217; <\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"color: black;\">Or you might say <em><span style=\"color: red;\">&#8216;I see that you are looking for volunteer drivers (or whatever the role is). Could you tell me a bit more about that role please?&#8217;<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"color: black; text-align: justify;\"><img style=\"width: 100px; height: 100px; padding-bottom: 30px; padding-right: 40px;\" src=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/QS.png\" align=\"left\" \/><strong>What questions should I ask at a volunteer interview?<\/strong><br \/>\nYou could ask any of the following questions depending on the role:<\/div>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t        <\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col4-1 last tb_527b592 tf_box\">\n\t    \t    \t        <div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t    <!-- module widget -->\n<div  class=\"module module-widget tb_o2c4593  repeat\" data-lazy=\"1\">\n\t<div class=\"widget widget_nav_menu\"><div class=\"menu-_volunteering-container\"><ul id=\"menu-_volunteering\" class=\"menu\"><li id=\"menu-item-17065\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-17065\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/volunteering\/\">Volunteering<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-16169\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16169\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/volunteer-vacancies\/\">Volunteer Opportunities<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-16174\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-16174\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/information-for-volunters\/\">Information for Volunters<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-16175\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16175\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/faq\/\">FAQ<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-16176\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16176\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/?page_id=16028\">DBS Checks for Volunteers<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-16170\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16170\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/training-for-volunteers\/\">Training for Volunteers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li id=\"menu-item-16172\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children menu-item-16172\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/support-for-organisations\/\">Support for Organisations<\/a>\n<ul class=\"sub-menu\">\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-16168\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16168\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/volunteering-development-service\/\">Volunteer Development Service<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-16178\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16178\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/volunteer-managers-network\/\">Volunteer Managers Network<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-16177\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16177\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/sva-2\/\">Supporting Volunteers Award<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-16171\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16171\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/training-for-volunteer-managers\/\">Training for Volunteer Managers<\/a><\/li>\n\t<li id=\"menu-item-16173\" class=\"menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-16173\"><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/resources-for-volunteer-managers\/\">Resources for Volunteer Managers<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<!-- \/module widget -->\n\t        <\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n\t    <!-- \/row_inner -->\n\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/module_row -->\n\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_u80q558 tf_clearfix\">\n\t    \t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tf_box tf_w tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full first tb_gidk597 tf_box\">\n\t    \t    \t        <div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_nii1599  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <div style=\"text-align: justify; color: black;\">\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div style=\"color: red;\"><em>Do I get paid out-of-pocket expenses when I volunteer?<\/em><\/div>\n<div>This is a perfectly reasonable question to ask any volunteer involving organisations. If you are paid out of pocket expenses to get from your home to the place where you volunteer or travelling within the role you will be expected to provide evidence of expenditure such as bus tickets or completing a mileage claim form. Some organisations also provide meal expenses if you volunteer for a full day or over a certain number of hours on production of proof of purchase. Any payment of out of pocket expenses will be agreed with you before you claim them.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"color: red;\"><em>Will I receive any training?<\/em><\/div>\n<div>We would expect any organisation that involves volunteers to provide an induction session where you find out what the organisation does, what to expect as a volunteer and how to do the role to the standard expected by the organisation. You may also receive further training to enhance your skills. Training can include attending courses or\u00a0 being shown what to do.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"color: red;\"><em>Do I need to wear any specific clothes (or even shoes)?<\/em><\/div>\n<div>In some roles you may be asked to wear clothing for protection or warmth, eg outdoors, or clothing that is appropriate to the role, eg in an office environment or a home environment. It\u2019s better to ask than turn up in something that makes you feel uncomfortable.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"color: red;\"><em>I do the school run\/I am a carer\/I need to attend regular appointments (eg medical or job search) \u2013 are the hours flexible?<\/em><\/div>\n<div>Most organisations will provide flexible options that take into consideration your personal needs and circumstances when arranging your volunteering commitment.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"color: red;\"><em>Will I need a DBS check? (a police check)<\/em><\/div>\n<div>Some volunteer roles require a police criminal records check before you can start to volunteer. You will not have to pay for this yourself as the organisation is responsible for any costs. Volunteer DBS checks are free of charge however the organisation may have to pay an administration fee to the organisation that checks your evidence.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"color: red;\"><em>If I enjoy volunteering for you, are there any other roles I could get involved in?<\/em><\/div>\n<div>Sometimes volunteers get involved in many different aspects of an organisation \u2013 this can be a great way of gaining even more skills and experience so let the organisation know you are interested.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"color: red;\"><em>I suffer from ill health so that means I may have to stop volunteering for a while. Would I be able to come back when my health improves?<\/em><\/div>\n<div>Organisations understand that many people volunteer to improve their health and therefore also understand that people can relapse or have other health issues that stop them volunteering for a while. Be clear about this when you start to volunteer so that the organisation can help you to take a break when you really need to.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"color: red;\"><em>Do I have to provide references?<\/em><\/div>\n<div>The organisation will tell you if you have to provide references and who they will accept them from. If you are struggling to provide references talk to the organisation as they may have ideas of who you could ask.<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div style=\"color: red;\"><em>I am claiming benefits \u2013 will this affect my volunteering?<\/em><\/div>\n<div>Any organisation will advise you to tell the Benefits Agency that you are starting to volunteer, what you will be doing and who you are volunteering for. The Benefits may write to the organisation to confirm this information. In most cases volunteering will not affect your benefits, however you can read more about volunteering whilst on benefits <strong>click on this link: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncvo.org.uk\/ncvo-volunteering\/volunteering-and-benefits\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/www.ncvo.org.uk\/ncvo-volunteering\/volunteering-and-benefits<\/a><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t        <\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n\t    <!-- \/row_inner -->\n\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/module_row -->\n\t\t<!-- module_row -->\n\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_row themify_builder_row tb_15xq558 tf_clearfix\">\n\t    \t\t<div class=\"row_inner col_align_top tf_box tf_w tf_rel\">\n\t\t\t<div  data-lazy=\"1\" class=\"module_column tb-column col-full first tb_6umn603 tf_box\">\n\t    \t    \t        <div class=\"tb-column-inner tf_box tf_w\">\n\t\t    <!-- module text -->\n<div  class=\"module module-text tb_c684603  repeat \" data-lazy=\"1\">\n        <div  class=\"tb_text_wrap\">\n    <p><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/NEL-Vol-Centre-logo.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-16238\" src=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/NEL-Vol-Centre-logo-300x81.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"216\" srcset=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/NEL-Vol-Centre-logo-300x81.jpg 300w, http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/NEL-Vol-Centre-logo-768x206.jpg 768w, http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/NEL-Vol-Centre-logo-1024x275.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/NEL-Vol-Centre-logo.jpg 1778w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/NCVO-Volunteer-Centre-logo-small.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-16237\" src=\"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/NCVO-Volunteer-Centre-logo-small.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"164\" height=\"213\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<!-- \/module text -->\t        <\/div>\n\t    \t<\/div>\n\t\t    <\/div>\n\t    <!-- \/row_inner -->\n\t<\/div>\n\t<!-- \/module_row -->\n\t<\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>FAQ We understand that contacting an organisation for the first time or going for a volunteer interview can be a bit daunting, so if you need a bit of help, look no further. If we haven\u2019t answered your question here just give us a ring on 01472 231123 or email liz@vanel.org.uk How do I start [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":28,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"xn-wppe-expiration":[],"xn-wppe-expiration-action":[],"xn-wppe-expiration-prefix":[],"spay_email":""},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P3cThd-4au","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16026"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/28"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16026"}],"version-history":[{"count":129,"href":"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16026\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21875,"href":"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16026\/revisions\/21875"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/vanel.org.uk\/va\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16026"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}