Have questions about volunteering? We’ve answered the most common queries to help you understand the process, know what to expect and feel confident about getting started.
Whether you’re applying for your first volunteer role or returning after a break, it’s natural to have questions. From time commitments and Garda Vetting to expenses, social welfare and what happens after you apply, you’ll find the answers below. If you still need assistance, our team is always happy to help.
Looking at a role you should pay close attention to:
You can volunteer when you are in receipt of a state pension (either contributory or non-contributory).
You can also volunteer even if you are in receipt of social welfare entitlements. More information below and also on the Citizen Information website.
Those receiving Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit, can do a maximum of 15 hours per week voluntary work. Before you start volunteering, you must get permission from the Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit Section in the Department of Social Protection.
If you are currently receiving Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit and wish to volunteer, you should contact your local office of the Department of Social Protection. You should complete a VW1 application form, and your Deciding Officer will advise you on whether you may take up the volunteer opportunity in question without affecting your entitlement to your Jobseeker’s payment.
Read full details of the Voluntary Work Option.
Please note that the requirement for those in receipt of JB/A or Covid PUP to complete a VW1 form has been lifted for the period of the Covid emergency provisions, however if your volunteering period is likely to extend past this, it is advisable that you complete and submit this form.
Those receiving Invalidity Pension cannot do more than 19.5 hours of voluntary work per week.
Those in receipt of Illness Benefit or Disability Allowance are not limited in the number of hours per week they can work unpaid as a volunteer.
Volunteering should not cost you anything, and we encourage organisations to reimburse expenses.
While many can offer travel and/or lunch expenses, that may not be possible for others, especially volunteer-led community projects.
It’s best to check with the organisation beforehand, but most volunteer roles would not require significant travel.
You will be required to undergo the Garda Vetting process if your volunteering is deemed relevant work.
All organisations that work with children and/or vulnerable adults are obliged by law to Garda vet all staff and volunteers before they engage in their activities.
However, Garda Vetting many not be required for once-off events or engagements, so check with the organisation beforehand if you are not sure.
Mayo Volunteer Centre helps organisations to access Garda vetting for volunteers – see additional information on our Garda Vetting FAQs page.
Sometimes you may like to take a break from volunteering or even take a longer holiday. This is absolutely fine, as long as you give the organisation enough notice. You can still take up a regular volunteering commitment and arrange it around your other plans.
In general, organisations are encouraged to be flexible with their volunteering arrangements, but it’s worth bearing in mind that if you have made a commitment to volunteer regularly, it’s helpful to let your organisation know well in advance so that they can plan.
As all application are processed manually, we ask that you do not apply for more than 3 roles at a time.
Once you hit the apply button, we get a notification that you have applied for a role and will contact the organisation to let them know of your interest.
In most cases your details (name, email address and phone number) are emailed to the organisation you applied with, which then will get in touch with you directly. The rest of the recruitment process is then between you and the organisations – all documents requested like CV’s and references (if requested, depends on the role) should be sent directly to the relevant organisation.
Sometimes the organisation will have requested that we email you their contact details or an application form, in which case it will be up to you to respond to that to further your application.
Organisations will strive to get back to you as soon as they can but bear in mind that sometimes these projects are led by volunteers who may not have regular hours.
The Mayo Volunteer Center will get in touch with you two weeks from the date you submitted your application to check in on your progress, and again in four weeks to see how things are going.
Small actions. Shared purpose. Lasting impact.