Going through some of the questions on this page may help ensure that the voluntary work you choose is right for you.

Once you've been through the questions below, you may want to find opportunities straight away or call Volunteer Centre Edinburgh on 0131 225 0630 to speak to an advisor, or email Volunteer Centre Edinburgh - admin@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

Ask yourself

• What skills, qualities and interests do I have to offer?
• Am I able to take on a commitment to voluntary work?
• What would I like to get out of it for myself? Could this be achieved by doing voluntary work?
• Is there anything that would influence or restrict my choice of voluntary work?
• Would I need support? If so, how much and from whom?
• How much information about myself would I want to share with an organisation?
• How often would I want to volunteer and for how long?

Ask the organisation

Once you've found a possible placement it might be worth asking the following questions:

• Ask for a clear description of the work you will be expected to do.
• Who will show you what to do and supervise and support you in your work? Will you get supervision sessions or will it be less formal than that?
• What about expenses? Volunteers should not be out of pocket for the work they do. Ideally, though it won't always be possible, an organisation should cover expenses such as travel, lunch and childcare.
• What about insurance? eg. If you are doing driving, do you need tell your car insurance company?
• How often will you be expected to do voluntary work and for how many hours each time?
• How long is the volunteering likely to last?
• Who do you tell if you can't make it that week?

next: Find Opportunities Online »

Other helpful pages:
About Volunteering »
The Options »