FAQs
What is Volunteering Fox?
Volunteering Fox is an online interactive service for voluntary opportunities available at the University of Oxford , the local Oxford community, the UK and beyond. The opportunities are hosted centrally, through colleges, through the University museums, OUSU and the Oxford Hub. Students who want to get involved in volunteering will be able to find out what opportunities are available to match their skills.
Why is it called Volunteering Fox?
The site is an online interactive service about volunteering for Oxford University, so we thought combining for and Oxford to get fox is a catchier title with an image that stands out.
Where do the opportunities on Volunteering Fox come from?
University groups will primarily advertise on Volunteering Fox. Volunteering Fox hosts opportunities from any internal groups that needs volunteers. Each opportunity will have a code of practice to ensure the health & safety of the volunteer and the quality of the volunteering opportunity.
Why use Volunteering Fox?
Volunteering Fox matches the skills, interests and availability you register in your profile with opportunities on the database, providing you with a bespoke list to browse through each time you log on. If you can’t find anything you’d like to do in your personal list, you can search the entire database as well and apply for any opportunities you’d like to take part in.
What about the email lists I belong to? Will I still get emails?
Again this depends on the group and/or organisation. The Access Office will no longer send weekly emails, as all opportunities will be listed on Volunteering Fox. However there may be a time of adjustment before all opportunities are listed on the website. So, you may still be sent emails as well as opportunities on Volunteering Fox.
What is voluntary work?
The definition of volunteering used in the 1997 National Survey of Volunteering is "any activity which involves spending time, unpaid, doing something which aims to benefit someone (individuals or groups) other than or in addition to close relatives, or to benefit the environment."
Although voluntary work is unpaid, reasonable expenses such as transport or meal costs, are normally reimbursed to the volunteer.
Why should I volunteer?
Different people volunteer for different reasons and no one reason is necessarily more valid than the next. Here are just some of the reasons people may choose to volunteer:
· to do something for a cause they feel passionate about or one which impacts their lives or the lives of a friend/family member in some way
· to make a difference - volunteering gives people the opportunity to make a difference to people’s lives or the environment
· to be able to 'give something back' to their community or the wider society
· to try something completely new, to enrich their lives with fresh experiences or even as a spur to taking a new direction
· to enhance existing or develop new skills
· to gain valuable and relevant work experience for future job applications
· to meet new people and make new friends: volunteering provides an opportunity to meet people you would not normally come across
· to build confidence
· to have FUN!!
How can volunteering help my career?
A survey carried out by TimeBank through Reed Executive showed that among 200 of the UK’s leading businesses:
· 73% of employers would employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one without
· 94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills
· 58% say that voluntary work experience can actually be more valuable than experience gained in paid employment
· 94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted.
Additionally, volunteering gives you the opportunity to test out potential career choices by giving you hands on experience of how different professions operate.
What have kinds of things can I do?
The list is endless really! There is a huge range of things you can get involved in from working with schools, supporting local community organisations, befriending asylum seekers, taking part in environmental regeneration to organising charity fashion shows. For more information on the types of activities please see about Volunteering Fox (link) or search (link) the database.
Will I get training?
Some opportunities will offer substantial training and support, however others don’t and expect you to learn on the placement or contribute existing skills. All volunteers should have, at least, an induction session, so you get a feel for what you are doing.
It also depends on the type of work you will be doing. For example, if you’re talking part in a one-day Exploring Oxford day you may just get a 30-minute briefing. However if you’re volunteering on the e-mentoring programme you will get half-a-day’s worth of training.
Do I really have time to volunteer?
One common misconception is that volunteering is only possible if you have a lot of free time on your hands. Volunteering opportunities are flexible. Your hours do not have to be regular; you might volunteer Monday afternoon one week for example and Wednesday morning a fortnight later.
How much time will I need to give?
You need to consider this carefully as academic work takes priority above everything else. Check how much time you will be expected to give and make sure the answer matches your academic workload. Talk to the coordinator responsible for the project before you begin. Be realistic about what you can do given your workload. Some volunteering opportunities require an ongoing commitment, like an hour a week, over the course of a term or academic year, whilst others are available as one-off activities or only a few hours each month. Opportunities you find on Volunteering Fox should make it clear how much time is required. There is something to suit everyone and if you haven't found it on Volunteering Fox let us know and we'll try to put you in touch with the relevant organisation.
Can I volunteer for more than one opportunity?
Obviously your academic work must take priority but, as long as you have the time, there is nothing to stop you volunteering for several opportunities. It’s a good idea to start with one and see how you get on, before taking on the time commitment of another as, obviously, it’s best to avoid starting something and then having to drop out because you’re finding it difficult to manage.
What if I change my mind after starting to volunteer?
As a volunteer you are free to leave whenever you like. There are no obligations for you to continue volunteering if you are unhappy or if your circumstances change to an extent that makes volunteering no longer possible. You are here first and foremost to study, so please do not compromise your academic studies.
It’s good to talk things through with the person in charge of the opportunity and give them some notice if possible if you intend to stop. If you wish to leave because you are unhappy please let the person in charge know.
What expenses will I be paid?
You will not be paid for the time that you give to volunteer but you should not be left out of pocket, i.e. reasonable expenses incurred as a result of your volunteering, such as transport or meal costs, will be reimbursed.
Can I volunteer if I have a disability?
Yes. There are disabled volunteers in all kinds of roles. If you have particular concerns, or are unable to find an opportunity, please contact the person responsible for the opportunity.
Do I have to disclose my disability?
It's up to you whether you want to disclose your disability or not. But by telling the organisers at the opportunity it gives them an opportunity to look at ways to support you to carry out your volunteering role more confidently and safely.
Disclosing your disability is also a great way to help raise awareness and understanding of how to involve disabled people as volunteers.
What skills will I need/can I develop?
That depends on the opportunity. Some don't require any particular skills, while for others it may be important, for example training in web design may be needed to help a charity build a new website. Every opportunity on Volunteering Fox provides volunteers with the chance to use or develop a wide range of skills and these are listed in the opportunity details for you to check before you apply to take part.
When can I start getting involved?
As soon as you register your details you can start applying for opportunities. For some opportunities you will be able to start straight away, others might need you to provide references and then you will be able to start participating.
If there is a wait before you get started, many organisations will start training you or you may be able to start under supervision.
What are Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures (Police checks)?
For some opportunities (usually a project that involves working with children or vulnerable adults) volunteers will need to apply for a Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) disclosure or Police Check.
The University will provide you with a form to complete. You will be asked to provide various forms of personal ID (guidance will be provided on both the completion of the form and the types of ID required). The form is then sent to the CRB, where your details will be checked against the Police National Computer system. If you have a criminal record it will be stated on your CRB disclosure certificate, 2 copies of which will be sent out, one to you at your home address and one to the University’s security services.
The clearance process can take some time and, although there are placements where volunteers could be taken whilst the check is in progress (as long as they are never left unsupervised), other placements will insist on the clearance being received before the volunteering starts. Therefore, it’s a good idea to complete the form as soon as possible after you decide you’d like to take part in an activity for which CRB clearance is deemed necessary.
NB: having a criminal record does not automatically prevent individuals from volunteering but if you are concerned or have any other questions, please refer to: www.crb.gov.uk or contact the Access Office.
Who can I talk to if I have a question/problem?
If you experience any unreasonable delays or problems in your use of Volunteering Fox, or if something isn’t clear call us on:
01865 270100
Or e-mail us at the following address:
volunteering@admin.ox.ac.uk
If you are having problems in your voluntary opportunity then contact the person responsible for the placement directly.
You may also be contacted occasionally by Volunteering Fox to check how your volunteering is going and to make sure you are ok.