Warwick Volunteers offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities, and has different levels of responsibility for the design and management of advertised opportunities.

The categories below outline the level of involvement Warwick Volunteers has with projects/organisations.

Volunteers should be aware of the category of their project before volunteering as this affects, among other things, who is responsible for reimbursing expenses and providing volunteer support.

Warwick Volunteers Projects

Warwick Volunteers has responsibility for designing and managing the delivery of these projects. Many of these projects are run in partnership with a community organisation.

What you need to know

• Warwick Volunteers will reimburse any reasonable expenses incurred. See our expenses policy in full.
• Warwick Volunteers will support volunteers throughout the project duration, ensuring they feel supported and fully aware of the processes and procedures involved in volunteering. If volunteers have any questions or concerns they can speak to a member of the Warwick Volunteers staff team, Executive Committee or a Project Leader.
• Warwick Volunteers will inform volunteers about training, transport, expenses, formal accreditation and CRB checks as appropriate.
• Warwick Volunteers will ensure that appropriate risk management procedures are in place on the project.

Key features of a Warwick Volunteers Project

• The activity is undertaken for the benefit of the community local to the University
• The activity is a specific student ‘project’ that enables student volunteers to contribute to the design of the activity
• The activity is not for the purpose of fundraising, political campaigning or for direct promotion of religion
• The activity is based in an area where Warwick students or staff live (generally Coventry or Warwickshire, although for staff volunteering opportunities this may be further afield)

External Project/Organisation

These projects are run by an external organisation. Warwick Volunteers undertakes a series of registration checks before listing external projects on the Warwick Volunteers website, but does not have any involvement with the management of these activities.

What you need to know

• Reimbursement of volunteer expenses is the responsibility of the external organisation
• The external organisation is responsible for all elements of organising and running volunteering activities
• Some popular external projects have a student ‘Project Leader’ who acts as a communication link between the organisation and volunteers
• Volunteers on external projects registered with Warwick Volunteers are eligible to receive the same recognition of their volunteering as those taking part in Warwick Volunteers projects, for example submitting an hours log to receive a Warwick Volunteers certificate.

Checks undertaken by Warwick Volunteers

• The organisation has a clear policy on paying expenses, which does not leave a volunteer out of pocket.
• The organisation has appropriate policies in place, including policies for effective health and safety management.
• The activity is based in an area where Warwick students or staff live (generally Coventry or Warwickshire, although for staff volunteering opportunities this may be further afield)
• The activity is with a not-for-profit organisation
• The activity is of direct benefit to the local community
• The activity offers a personal development opportunity to volunteers
• The activity is not for the purpose of fundraising, political campaigning or for direct promotion of religion
• There are no obvious concerns about the management of the activity, such as negative reports from previous volunteers.

Newsletter/Web Article

Warwick Volunteers will clearly state when an opportunity in the newsletter is run by an external organisation. These are usually one- off volunteering opportunities which Warwick Volunteers advertises in good faith but does not undertake checks on.

Warwick Volunteers cannot be held responsible for the volunteering opportunity offered, but we do make every effort to ensure that all the information we publish is accurate. We advise volunteers to use their own judgement when selecting potential opportunities, and to check with organisations all details concerning their prospective volunteering activity.

SU Project

Volunteering opportunities run by a student society. Please note that to join some societies you will need to pay a membership fee.