It may seem silly, but one of the most frequent questions we get asked is whether the placement/ opportunity that a person is on can be considered for an entry into their V-Record. Well to make life easier, here is how we define volunteering and a flow diagram to help you figure out - are you volunteering?

Our Definition

We define volunteering as an unpaid activity that involves spending time doing something that aims to benefit the environment, the local community or someone (individuals or groups) through a charity or third sector organisation. We do not consider it volunteering if the placement is a requirement of your course, or if it is for a for-profit organisation as this is considered an unpaid internship.

1) Not sure? Check here

2) Not sure what this means? Check here

3) Not sure whether your organisation is a charity? Check here

4) Not sure what this means? Check here

1) Course requirements can include work placement (such as in a school, hospital or sports club) or work experience that you must complete that is part of a module or in order to get onto a course.

Any work you do extra to this can be counted. For example, helping at an after school club because you must complete a piece of work for a beyond the classroom module is not classed as volunteering, but if you carried on helping at the club after completing the requirements for the module, these hours can be counted towards a V-Record.

2) A For-Profit organisation is defined as one whose primary aim is to make money. If you are working for a for-profit business, then this would be classed as an unpaid internship and the hours can not be claimed as volunteering.

3) All charities have a registered charity number which is six or seven digits long (found on their website). Search here using the name of the organisation or charity number to check that it is a legitimate charity.

Worcester Students' Union is a registered charity, and therefore any volunteer hours you complete for us can be counted towards a V-Record. Examples include StARs, commitees of societies and working for the student newspaper (The Voice).

4) The Third Sector is a term that describes a non-profit organisation (all profits are re-invested into the organisation) which provides social or environmental benefits.

 

Obviously, not all examples of volunteering fit into this model. If you are still not sure whether your placement can be counted towards your V-Record, e-mail us at SUVolunteering@worc.ac.uk