FAQ’s

To book onto any of the courses on our Courses Scheduled page, you will need a Training Account – click here to view how to create a Training Account.

Once you have created an account, click here to view instructions on how to book onto a course.

You can create either an Individual Training Account or an Organisation Training Account.  For details on how to create an account, please click here.

Yes!  With your permission we can send you VTraining, our monthly eNewsletter which outlines courses available and any offers we might have.  Please scroll to the footer of this page and fill in your details in the Keep Informed section.

After you book a place on one of our courses, you will get an email to confirm your booking has been received.  You will then be sent an email with joining information a day before the course.

Yes you can book onto as many courses as you like.

Yes!  We have a range of other courses that we can deliver for you on request, especially around volunteer management or safeguarding.  If you cannot find what you are looking for, please email training@volunteernow.co.uk so we can explore options with you.

Yes, we can deliver our training in your organisation and/or tailor a course just for you and your staff or volunteers.  See Tailored for You.

We can develop a package that will meet your needs.  Contact us to discuss what could work for you and see Tailored for You.

We have delivered training in response to requests from a range of organisations across the UK, and in the Republic of Ireland.  We have even trained in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

We have a range of training courses that can last anything from 1.5 hours to 3 days!  It depends on the depth of content that you require – sometimes, for example with safeguarding courses, it will depend on the level of contact that those requiring the training will have with children or adults at risk.

Yes we can tailor all our courses to your organisational setting and needs. See Tailored for You.

Please contact Reception on 028 9023 2020 to discuss.

Many of the roles on our website don’t require specific skills but ask that you have enthusiasm and an interest in the role/organisation.  Depending on the role you are applying for you may be asked for communication skills or more specific attributes like counselling or financial management.  The role description will let you know what they are seeking.

No, you can choose how often you volunteer.  There are many roles that simply require you to give a few hours to make a difference, other event roles for example, will involve you for a defined period of time – like a few days and then you are free again until the next event comes around.  You can choose shifts and what events you get involved in.  Other roles will ask you to give a regular commitment, but you can always talk to the organisation about the time you have.

Have a look at our Employer Supported Volunteering section where you’ll find more details and an enquiry form.

Have a look at some of the events coming to Northern Ireland. If there’s nothing there that suits you at the minute, please check back as these pages are updated regularly.

Have a look at Inspiration for our latest opportunities sheets, volunteer stories, etc.  If you still need help, please get in touch and we’ll send you a few suggestions.

Not all roles will need an Access NI check. If your volunteer role does require one, the organisation you want to volunteer with will help to sort this out at no cost to you.

Yes, have a look at our Youth section for ideas on what other young people do.

Volunteering Account: Click ‘I forgot my password’ in Be Collective to reset your login details.

Training Account: Click ‘Forgot my password’ to reset your login details.

Use the opportunity search – to see opportunities in your area enter your postcode, amend the distance to how far you are prepared to travel, and click ‘search’.   You can also filter results by ‘Cause’ or ‘Type of Work’ if you wish.

To apply for any opportunities on our website, click ‘apply now’ in the opportunity description –this will prompt you to either create a new volunteering account or to sign in to an existing one.

Your contact details are then sent on to the organisation and they should respond to you within 10 days with more details.

If you need help using the search system, please contact Volunteer Now

Volunteers’ Week runs from 1-7 June every year and is an excellent opportunity to recognise and thank your volunteers.  It is a national campaign! However, you can recognise your volunteers at any time throughout the year and organisations do this in many ways – having Pizza and Prosecco nights, awards ceremonies, in house recognition events and the sending of thank you cards to your volunteers with a personal message.  Many of our Councils also hold recognition events for volunteers and organisations and will accept nominations.  We encourage you to ask your volunteers how they would like to be recognised for their commitment and enthusiasm.  You might be surprised by the response!!  If you have young volunteers under the age of 25 you can also recognise them through the Impact Awards.

You should have policies and procedures in place to support the volunteer but also to support the organisation.  These procedures should be followed in order to make sure that both the organisation and volunteer is treated fairly throughout.  Guidance and training is available to help, or contact Volunteer Now on info@volunteernow.co.uk

We recommend that you have a role description outlining the key role that you would like the volunteer to undertake along with the skills that they require to undertake the role.  We also recommend that you have a formal/informal interview, planned induction and training programme and someone dedicated to support the volunteer throughout their trial period.

The need for police record checks will be determined by the role to be carried out by volunteers. For eligibility of checks through the Access NI service click here. More information on good practice for safeguarding can be found here.

Go to Be Collective’s login page and click ‘I forgot my password’.

If your organisation already has an account listed on our volunteering platform Be Collective, go to Be Collective‘s login page.

If you don’t have an account set up, click ‘register now’ using the link above – you will be asked to set up your personal page and then you can add your group details.  If you need any assistance with setting up your account or adding your opportunities, please email info@volunteernow.co.uk and one of our team can help.