Volunteer FAQ’s

If you still have questions about volunteering after reading this please contact jane@powertoconnect.co.uk

What volunteer roles are available?
We have roles focused on support, admin and logistics as well as those on the IT and digital side. Our website is kept up to date with the volunteer roles that we are currently recruiting for.

Are all roles technical or require me to be highly digitally competent?
For our IT roles we ask that volunteers have an interest or experience in IT and computing, are technically aware and IT literate. For Digital Champion roles we ask that volunteers are digitally confident and feel able to demonstrate and share their skills. All other roles are non-technical.

How old do I need to be to volunteer?
We ask that our volunteers are aged 18 and over.

Where and when does volunteering take place?
Our IT volunteering takes place on Tuesday mornings at the Rose Community Centre in Nine Elms. Digital drop-in sessions – where Digital Champions and session support volunteers attend – are currently taking place in Battersea library, Tooting library and Roehampton library. They run at different times and change regularly but are typically Monday – Friday either 10am–12pm or 2pm-4pm.

Can I be flexible about where and when I volunteer?
Our IT sessions are always at the same time and place as detailed above, for this role we ask that you commit to a minimum of 1 session a month.

In terms of Digital Champions and Session Support volunteers, ideally, we would ask that you commit to a specific session in a specific location and can make a minimum of 2 sessions a month.

In terms of delivery drivers, we ask for a regular commitment, but you would be part of a team of delivery drivers and we would work with you on a schedule of deliveries that works for you.

Who will I be supporting?
Our digital drop-in sessions are open to everyone, often attendees are more elderly and work with our Digital Champions to increase their skills and gain confidence with digital technology. IT volunteers work on the laptops that go out to schools and community centres in Wandsworth, these are then distributed to digitally excluded individuals, including low-income families, refugees or asylum seekers and people experiencing homelessness.

What support will I get & will I receive training?
We don’t provide specific training for Digital Champions, our volunteers generally just find it best to get started and ask for support if they need it. A Power to Connect team member will always lead the Digital Drop-in sessions, so you’ll know who to reach out to for support. Our IT volunteers do receive training, we have a specific process that we use to clean and load software onto laptops and training is given for this.

What are the benefits of volunteering with P2C?
Power to Connect is a small charity working directly with people who experience digital exclusion, our volunteers are part of something that drives meaningful change in the community and report back to us that this gives them a sense of genuine satisfaction.

Volunteering with us is a great way to build and consolidate skills, adding another line and more experience to your CV. When volunteers have been with us for 3 months we are happy to provide a reference for future jobs and further volunteering.

How do I become a volunteer?
As a first step you should fill out our expression of interest form, we will then give you a call to discuss what you’re interested in and to invite you to a session, (either IT or digital drop in) this will give you experience of volunteering. Following on from this we will ask you for 2 references and, in the case of Digital Champions, to complete a DBS check.

What if I want to stop volunteering?
You can stop volunteering at any time, however we would ask that you give us as much notice as possible, ideally a month.

Why do I need to give references for a volunteer role?
We ask for references to verify that you are who you say you are.  This is because our roles involve working with and delivering technology on our behalf and supporting, often vulnerable, members of the public.

Do I need a DBS check to volunteer?
Our Digital Champion and Session Support volunteers that need a DBS check, this is because these roles work directly with the public, some of whom will be vulnerable, and it is important to us to ensure their safety.

Will you give me a reference for future jobs & volunteer positions?
After 3 months of volunteering with us we will be happy to provide a reference for you.

Can I volunteer as a team with my colleagues?
Generally our volunteering is carried out on an individual basis, however corporate volunteering opportunities are available. If you are interested in volunteering as a team please get in touch and we can discuss opportunities.

I am an asylum seeker, can I volunteer?
If you have applied for refugee status or humanitarian protection you can volunteer. You can also still volunteer if you are appealing against a refusal of asylum decision.

I am an EU national, can I volunteer?
If you are an EU National, you can volunteer as long as you have settled or pre-settled status or a visa that allows you to volunteer. Check your visa to see if this applies to you.

I am registered disabled, can I volunteer?
Our volunteering opportunities are available to everyone, and we will make reasonable adjustments to roles where possible. However please be aware that for some roles this is not possible due to the locations of digital drop ins. If you are interested in this please do get in contact with us.

Can I claim back travel expenses when I volunteer?
Yes, we are very happy to pay back travel expenses up to £5 per session.

Can I talk to someone about volunteering?
We are always happy to chat to potential volunteers. If you fill in our volunteering expression of interest form in someone will get in touch to chat to you about opportunities.