We have put together some FAQ and helpful guides to answer some of the questions that we often get asked. Click on the buttons below to find a wealth of information.
You will need to apply for a DBS Check to volunteer on Sheffield Volunteering projects which work with children or vulnerable adults on a frequent basis. You will not usually need a DBS check for short-term or one-off projects, or projects which do not work with children or vulnerable adults. You can find the specific requirements of each project on the SV Hub.
If you are volunteering with a local charity or organisation which requires you to have a DBS check, they will do the DBS Check for you. We will only do DBS checks for Sheffield Volunteering projects which are Run by Students or Schools Volunteering.
To volunteer with one of our projects run by students, you need to make a 15 minute appointment with us to apply for a DBS check. During this appointment we will check your Identity Documents and fill out the DBS form with you.
To make an appointment, please pop into the Volunteering Office or Contact Us.
Please bring three ID documents to your DBS appointment. They must be originals, not photocopies, scanned versions or print-outs.
You must bring:
| List A | List B |
|---|---|
| Passport | Bank or credit card statement (issued in the last 3 months) |
| UK Driving licence (card and paper counterpart) | Student Finance Statement (issued in the last 3 months) |
| UK Birth Certificate | P45 or P60 with your address on (issued in the last 12 months) |
| Work permit or visa | |
| Utility Bill (issued in the last 3 months) | |
| Card carrying the PASS accreditation logo | |
| Non-UK Photocard Driving Licence |
If you bring two documents from List B which have your address on them, they must both have the same address (either term-time or home address).
The full list of acceptable ID Documents can be found on the DBS website.
As part of your application, we also ask for the details of one character referee, the name and email of your Personal Tutor and a complete address history for the last five years.
Please download and complete our further information document. You can email it to volunteering@sheffield.ac.uk or print it out and bring it to your appointment.
After the appointment your form is sent to the Disclosure and Barring Service by post. It usually takes 2-3 weeks to process each application.
Your disclosure certificate will be issued to the address you used as your current address on the DBS form. This is the only copy of the DBS Check certificate, so please keep it safe!
As soon as you receive your certificate, you must complete our online DBS arrival form to let us know that it has arrived. We must also need to see the paper certificate before you start volunteering - we will let you know when this needs to happen!
DBS Certificate Information Form
Depending on how long you have lived in the UK, it may be difficult for us to complete a valid DBS check for you. Please come into the Volunteering Office to discuss your options with us. And don't worry - we have lots of volunteering options which don't require a DBS Check!
If you still have questions, don't worry - we are here to help! Visit Contact Us to get in touch.
Create your volunteering profile on the SV Hub. The first time you visit the Hub click 'New Volunteers Register Now' to create your volunteering profile.
Have a look at our Be Involved section of the website for our 5 steps to getting started.
This depends on the application process for each volunteering role. For some opportunities such as the Give It a Go programme you can get started straight away! For other projects you may need to complete training sessions and a DBS (Criminal Record) check so it may be 4-6 weeks before you can start volunteering.
Most of the volunteering placements on the SV Hub simply ask for enthusiasm and commitment! However some organisations will ask for previous skills or experience, for example, some organisations require fluency in English due to the nature of their volunteering roles.
Yes, the Sheffield Volunteering programme is for University of Sheffield students. Many roles are also open to staff and our graduates. However, do not despair as there is a fantastic Volunteer Centre in Sheffield that can help you find volunteering if you are not part of Sheffield University.
We have volunteering opportunities that operate all year round. You can choose from projects that run every week, every month, or one-off days as part of the Give It a Go programme. Our student-led projects generally run from October to December and from February to May to accommodate student timetables.
Yes, why not take a look at our One Off Tasters?
Yes! We have volunteering opportunities available all year round. Please drop into the Volunteering Office if you would like help and advice or contact us.
Nearly all of our volunteering opportunities are based in Sheffield and the few that are just outside of Sheffield have good public transport links from our city centre.
You can find out the best bus / tram links for your journey at http://www.travelsouthyorkshire.com/journeyplanning.
If you start a volunteering placement but are not happy - please let us know. We can support you to sort out any problems or, if more appropriate, help you to choose another placement.
Community organisations understand that students are often not in Sheffield for the whole year and will need to take breaks for vacation and during exam periods. The majority of organisations are flexible and will understand when you need to take a break from your volunteering. The most important thing is to be up front and agree in advance what is possible so that organisations can plan around your availability.
No! Volunteering is free. For projects run by Sheffield Volunteering, we will refund your bus, tram, or mileage costs so drop into the Volunteering Office with your tickets or receipts. External charities should also refund your travel costs for any volunteering you do with their projects so ask them how to get your costs refunded.
Sorry but no. But volunteering can help you develop skills for your future career and looks great on your CV! Our volunteers are rewarded (both now and in the longer term) in all sorts of different ways (see the Why Volunteer? and Reward & Recognition pages) but they are not paid.
You can find part time jobs at the Student JobShop and the Careers Service can help you with your future career goals.
Our opening times and contact details are available on the Contact Us section of our website.
The lovely staff in the volunteering office are always happy to help so please contact us with your questions.
