Question 1

Why volunteer for the Selby Trust?

Accepted Answer

Our volunteers form an integral part of the Selby Trust, and when volunteering with us, you will form part of a large and friendly team who share passion in helping support the local community through our resources and facilities.
There are many benefits for you when it comes to choosing to volunteer with us. You’ll gain new skills and knowledge, receive valuable work experience, training and support, and even meet new people and make new friends!

Question 2

What do our volunteers do?

Accepted Answer

At the Selby Trust, there are plenty of volunteering opportunities available. You can discover our current volunteering opportunities on this page.

Question 3

How long do I need to volunteer for?

Accepted Answer

Our volunteering opportunities are opportunities to fit around people’s different commitments. This is up to you. Usually, volunteering opportunities with us are up to 12 weeks in length.

Question 4

How old do I need to be to volunteer?

Accepted Answer

TBC

Question 5

Will I need a DBS (Criminal Record Check) check?

Accepted Answer

A DBS check is a Disclosure and Barring Service check and looks at whether you have a criminal record. DBS checks are free for volunteers. Not all volunteer roles need a DBS check. If your role requires one, we will inform you of this, and discuss it with you.

Question 6

How do I become a volunteer?

Accepted Answer

To become a volunteer with us, details are provided on the sub-page to each volunteering experience on how to apply.

Question 7

What can I offer the Selby Trust?

Accepted Answer

You may not realise it, but you already have a lot you could contribute, even if you have not previously volunteered. Many of our opportunities simply require a friendly attitude and a little bit of time, and they are also a fantastic way of gaining skills and experience in an area that interests you.

Question 8

Can I volunteer for more than one experience?

Accepted Answer

Yes you can, although the best thing is to apply for the role that interests you most in the first instance. Once you are an active volunteer with us, you will find it much easier to take advantage of other volunteering opportunities.

Question 9

Do I need any experience or qualifications?

Accepted Answer

For most of our volunteering opportunities, you do not require any experience or qualifications. All volunteers will receive a thorough induction and support when undertaking your role.
We do ask that for all volunteering activities, for you to produce two references. Informal and character references are acceptable.
Most of our volunteers perform tasks that they have never tackled previously. This is one of the benefits and reasons that many people enjoy volunteering opportunities. However, if you have a skill, qualification or area of interest that can be applied within the Trust then we would do our best to place you in a role which would suit you and your interests.

Question 10

Do you provide training? And what support will I receive?

Accepted Answer

We provide training, but the level of training may depend on the volunteering opportunity selected. You will always receive a thorough induction to your role so that you are confident in what we are asking you to do.
Volunteers will be properly briefed about the activities to be undertaken and given all the necessary information to enable them to perform with confidence.

Question 11

Will I be insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All our volunteering activities are covered by our insurance policies. Aside from this, we will take every reasonable precaution to ensure your safety whilst volunteering with us. 
 
You can find out more on our policy on insurance in both our insurance policy and volunteering policy that you will be provided with. Your volunteering supervisor will be first aid qualified.

Question 12

What is car parking like?

Accepted Answer

The Selby Centre has a huge car-park and car-parking is free onsite. The side roads are also permit free (except on match days). We also have bike racks.

Question 13

Do you have prayer facilities on site?

Accepted Answer

We have a prayer room onsite which is used by the centre users, staff and visitors.

Question 14

Can I volunteer if I have a disability?

Accepted Answer

Of course! The Selby Trust is committed to building a diverse organisation responsive to the needs of all volunteer groups. If you think your disability might make it difficult for you to undertake volunteering, please contact us and have a chat about your needs and requirements.
We can advise you on which of our volunteering opportunities are best accessible, and make the volunteer at the chosen opportunity do their best to ensure you can participate the way you want to.

Question 15

I am an asylum seeker – can I volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Yes – since 2000, asylum seekers have been allowed to volunteer.
For more information on volunteering as an asylum seeker, check out government guidance here.

Question 16

I am a refugee – can I volunteer?

Accepted Answer

Yes – if you have refugee status, or exceptional leave to remain, you can undertake voluntary work with us.

Question 17

I’ve got a criminal record – will I be able to volunteer?

Accepted Answer

If you have a criminal record, you will still be able to volunteer – however, there are limitations.
Depending on the nature of your criminal record, there may be some volunteering roles you may not be able to take up, but there are a variety of roles that will still be open to you. You can discuss your options with your trust volunteer contact.

Question 18

Can I get a reference from volunteering?

Accepted Answer

Yes!
 
Volunteering is a great way to get an up-to-date professional, and can be very useful if you are using volunteering as a way of getting yourself some work experience or exploring a new career.

Question 19

Once I’ve applied, how long will it be until I am able to start volunteering?"

Accepted Answer

Once you have applied, we’ll contact you regarding the next steps as quickly as we can. We will keep you updated throughout the application and selection process.
If the volunteering role you have applied for requires a Criminal Records Check, the process can take significantly longer. This will be flagged in details about the opportunity.

Question 20

Can I leave if I don’t like it?

Accepted Answer

Of course you can. We do advise to speaking with your Trust volunteer contact before making a decision to see if anything can be done to improve your experience. This includes changing your role or finding something more enjoyable.
 
You can also find out more on our complaints procedure in our volunteering policy.

Question 21

How can I provide feedback?

Accepted Answer

We always welcome feedback, and we are always interested to hear from you, to help us improve what we do. Please fill in our feedback form, or talk to your contact at the Selby Trust if you have previously volunteered.

Question 22

What do you do with my personal information?

Accepted Answer

If you apply to volunteer at the Selby Trust, we will need to collect the personal information you provide to process your application. We may undertake monitoring of recruitment statistics, but won’t disclose information to any third party without your consent, unless the disclosure is required by law, for example, taking up a reference, or obtaining ‘disclosure’ from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS).
Also, your personal information will be held and processed so that we can contact you about future volunteering opportunities. We’ll only hold information relating to the nature of your voluntary work, and we’ll delete it in accordance with our retention policies.

Question 23

What if my question is not answered here?

Accepted Answer

If we haven’t covered your question please get in touch with us at the Selby Trust and we will be more than happy to help.

Personal Volunteering FAQs

Personal volunteering > Personal volunteering FAQs

Frequently asked questions