Volunteers are welcome in all areas of our organisation. There’s so much to gain from being a volunteer, find out what we have on offer below.
We’re recruiting volunteers now.
Volunteers play a vital role in helping us achieve our aims, and compliment the work of our colleagues. As a not-for-profit organisation we welcome volunteers and believe they really do make a difference to people’s lives.
Volunteers are welcome in all areas of the business.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to volunteer with us, whether you want to make new friends, share a skill or hobby, or are looking to gain experience to improve your employment prospects, we would love to hear from you.
Our volunteer placements.
We offer a wider range of volunteer placements to match your skills, interests and experience. It’s important to us that you find the right placement.
All our volunteer placements are advertised on local volunteer websites. Please follow the links on the right to see if there are any available.
If you don’t see an opportunity that meets your needs, or would like to discuss how you could volunteer with us, get in touch below.
Commonly asked questions about Orwell volunteering.
If you would like to know more volunteering at Orwell, please click on the questions below.
Who can volunteer with Orwell?
Who can volunteer
Volunteers are welcome in all areas of the business. Whatever your reasons for wanting to volunteer with us, whether you want to make new friends, share a skill or hobby, or are looking to gain experience to improve your employment prospects, we would love to hear from you.
If you are an Orwell tenant, customer or colleague
You are welcome to apply for our volunteer placements.
If you are under 16
The minimum age to volunteer with us is 16.
However, you may wish to consider us for your work experience placement instead. Please contact workexperience@orwell-housing.co.uk to find out more.
If you receive benefits
If you receive benefits, including means-tested benefits, you’re entitled to volunteer for as many hours as you wish, as long as you continue to keep to the rules or conditions for getting that benefit.
For some benefits, you might need to inform your Job Coach/JobCentre Plus. You can read more on the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) website.
If you’re disabled or have a health condition
If your disability or health condition might impact your volunteering, please let us know so that we can discuss and provide the support or equipment you might need.
If you’re not a UK citizen
Irish citizens, EU/EEA citizens with settled or pre-settled status, and refugees and asylum seekers are entitled to volunteer. Other non-UK citizens might still be able to volunteer in the UK if your visa allows. You should check if you’re entitled to volunteer.
If you live abroad
As all our roles are UK based, we do require our volunteers to be living in the UK with a UK registered address.
If you have lived experience
Having lived experience can give you valuable insight into accessing or using services similar to ours, so we welcome your application.
If you have a criminal record
Having a criminal record does not automatically bar you from volunteering with us.
Whether we’re able to offer you a volunteer placement will depend on the nature and circumstances of the offence and the relevance to the volunteer placement or location you’re applying for.
What support will I receive?
You will receive support and specific training from team members to carry out your volunteer placement safely. This will include induction, and ongoing training or refresher training as required.
Will I be insured?
Yes, whilst carrying out agreed volunteer activities on behalf of Orwell, you will be covered by our Employer’s Liability Insurance.
Will I need any specific clothing or equipment?
We will provide any specific Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and specific clothing, such as steel-toe capped boots for volunteers with our Estate Services team, for any volunteer placements that require them.
What commitment do I need to make?
Ideally, we would like you to volunteer with us for a minimum of 6 months, as this allows sufficient time for you to make a positive impact for our customers, and for you to gain the knowledge and confidence to carry out your volunteer placement successfully.
Shorter volunteer placements, and one-off volunteering opportunities, may also be available for specific projects or events.
We will discuss and agree a time commitment with you. The regularity (normally weekly, fortnightly or monthly) and number of hours you give, will be dependent on the volunteer role being undertaken, and the number of hours you are comfortably able to offer us.
Can I claim expenses?
You will be able to claim public transport expenses (or their equivalent), subject to agreed guidelines.
Do you have further questions?
Please contact us at volunteer@orwell-housing.co.uk if you have any further questions.
To discover more about volunteering with Orwell, get in touch with us today.
If you would like to volunteer with us, please fill in the form and someone will be in contact soon.
Our mission is to make a positive difference to the quality of life and future opportunities of our customers, employees and communities.
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