Volunteering - your frequently asked questions (FAQs)

There are many different roles you can do as a volunteer with Mencap, such as:

• volunteer directly with people with a learning disability one-to-one or in a group
• support Mencap to raise awareness of learning disability through events or campaigning
• volunteering in a Mencap charity shop
• offer your skills - these could be admin, gardening or anything else!

To volunteer in a one-to-one role supporting someone with a learning disability you will need to be 18 or over.

For other roles you will need to be 16 or over. People under 18 will need consent from their parent or guardian.

There is no upper age limit for our volunteers.

Yes.

Please get in touch so we can talk about what roles might suit your skills and any additional support or adjustments you may need.

A DBS check is a Disclosure and Barring Service check and looks at whether you have a criminal record. DBS checks are free for volunteers.

Not all volunteer roles need a DBS check. If your role means you need one, we will discuss it with you.

Yes, but you need to tell us when you apply for a volunteer role. You may be asked to complete a DBS check if your role requires it.

If you have a criminal record we will make a case–by–case decision about whether or not you can volunteer in the role.

Yes! Some of our volunteering opportunities are for one-off events, some are for set amounts of time, but others are flexible.

For regular volunteering we ask for at least 6 months commitment so that you and the person you are supporting can get the most out of the experience.

Volunteering should not affect your benefits, but we suggest you ask for advice from the Job Centre or your employment advisor.

No.

Mencap will pay agreed out-of-pocket expenses that you may have whilst volunteering (e.g. for travel, meals or activity costs whilst volunteering). 

If you’ll be volunteering directly with someone with a learning disability you will need an informal interview .

For other roles, e.g. in an office or at an event, we may just need a chat about what you will be doing.

If your volunteer role involves supporting people with a learning disability, we will ask you for references.

References are not needed if you are volunteering at a one-off event.

Yes. You can ask for a reference upon leaving, or sooner if you need one for a job or college application.

We hope to have volunteers starting within 4 weeks of application, but sometimes DBS checks and references mean it can take longer.

Depending on your role, volunteers may be required to attend an online or in person induction . This would be delivered by your Volunteer Manager or Volunteer Services Coordinator.

Some roles will need extra training which will be discussed with you.

For one-off volunteering you will be briefed before your event.

You will have a volunteer manager who you can go to for help, support and guidance .

You will have regular contact with your volunteer manager.