Aspire Volunteering FAQs Volunteering with Aspire Volunteering for Aspire is an incredible opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of people in your local community. As a volunteer, you can help us with a variety of roles: client-facing/supporting the people we work with, admin support/supporting colleagues, fundraising, and befriending. You'll have the chance to work with a dedicated team of professionals, gain new skills, make valuable connections, and build a sense of purpose and fulfilment. Volunteering is not only a rewarding experience but also a great way to give back and make a positive difference in the lives of others. Here are just a few of the reasons why Aspire is a great place to volunteer: What will I gain as a volunteer at Aspire? Whether it’s befriending, using your IT skills, supporting our social recruitment service, or supporting people into self-employment with bookkeeping, you’ll gain the satisfaction of volunteering with a local charity doing fantastic work. You’ll gain new skills and become part of our wonderful community. How old do you have to be? At least 18 years old. Will you need references? We may ask for references depending on the role you are applying for. What induction and training will I get? You’ll get full induction and training as required for each volunteering role. You’ll need to complete some online training, and you may have to attend a couple of induction meetings. Where can I volunteer? We’re based in Oxford city centre and have locations in Cowley and Witney. Depending on your availability and the role, you may be volunteering on-site or remotely. When can I volunteer? Most of our services are delivered Monday-Friday, and most volunteering roles offer flexible hours to suit your needs. How will you keep me safe? Volunteering with Aspire will always be carried out in a safe environment. We provide regular training and support and we have clear policies to keep everyone safe in the workplace. If you’re volunteering in the community, such as meeting a client away from our offices, we'll ensure you have the relevant training to be confident and able to do this. The safety of our volunteers is important to us. We want you to feel that if you have safety concerns, you can raise them with us and be listened to. You can discuss any additional needs or concerns with your named volunteer supervisor, and they will support you to feel safe. I have lived experience; what roles can I apply for? Aspire welcomes applications from people of all walks of life. Over 60% of our colleagues have lived experience of issues including mental health, experience in the criminal justice system, substance misuse and homelessness. These experiences are an important part of who we are. How do I become a volunteer? Complete the application form at the bottom of this page, and we’ll be in touch! I have submitted my application to volunteer; what happens next? We’ll contact you within a week of receiving your application to let you know if you have been successful in reaching the next steps. Sometimes we might decide we’re not the best fit for you. In this instance, we’ll try to signpost you to other volunteering resources. Do I need a DBS check? If your volunteering role has any interactions with our beneficiaries, we’ll likely need to do a DBS check. This doesn’t cost anything other than your time to complete a form. How will you support me in the role? You’ll have a named volunteer supervisor who will support you during your time with us. You may also be able to complete additional training with us if it supports you in your role. You can expect regular contact with your supervisor to review how things are going. What kind of volunteering roles do you need? Our current roles are listed on this page, so keep an eye on it! If you think you have a skillset or idea for how you could volunteer that is not listed, drop us a line at [email protected] Do I need previous experience to get started? It might be helpful but it's not always necessary, check out the role profiles for specific details. Volunteer Opportunities Manage Cookie Preferences