We get asked a lot of questions about how you can become a volunteer and what is involved, so we've tried to answer as many of these as we can in our frequently asked questions (FAQs) below. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, please email volunteering@stroke.org.uk
From campaigning to fundraising, there are lots of other ways you can get involved and support us.
Whether you’d like to support stroke survivors, raise awareness of stroke or support one of our voluntary groups, we’ll hopefully have a role to suit you.
Take a look at our current volunteering opportunities and see if there is a role that interests you.
For each role, there is a role description that provides details about what the role involves and what kind of training or support we'd provide. It tells you where the role is based and details of how to apply if you’re interested.
We think it is important that everyone has a good volunteering experience, part of this is helping make sure that the right people are in the right roles. So for most of our volunteer roles, you would go through a process where you can assess your suitability for a role and vice versa.
Once you've found a role that you are interested in, complete the application form and send it to the person named on the advert.
We will have a look at your application form and get in touch either to arrange an informal chat about the role; or perhaps, in some circumstances, suggest an alternative role which we feel might be a better fit. Occasionally, we might not have an appropriate role for you, so we may signpost you to other organisations or charities.
When we invite you to have an informal chat about the role, it means we can find out a bit more about you and you can find out more about us and the role you have applied for.
For most of our roles, we also ask you to give us details of two people who would be willing to provide you with a reference to support your application.
For some of our roles, you will need to have a police check. In England and Wales, this will be a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check, in Northern Ireland it will be an Access NI check, and in Scotland you will become a member of the Disclosure Scotland Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
Yes. The person recruiting for each volunteer role would tell you more about what training is required if you decided to apply.
For some roles, there is mandatory training that needs to be completed before you can start your volunteering. This will help you gain new skills and feel confident in your volunteering role
Not all volunteer roles require training. If you are volunteering at an event, like a Resolution Run for instance, you will receive information about your role before the event and receive on the day support from one of our teams.
Some roles will need a regular commitment, while others might only happen now and then. We try to make our roles as flexible as possible.
The role description for each role will let you know what kind of commitment is needed.
For some roles, you will need specific skills and experience, and the role descriptions will tell you what they are.
For other roles, you will just need time and enthusiasm.
Yes. Our volunteering roles all require an ID check. However, our events activities don't.
You will either have your ID checked directly by us or whilst having a DBS check, an Access NI check or Disclosure Scotland PVG Scheme check.
The type of check required for each role will be written in the role description.
All checks are free of charge for volunteers and we will support you to apply for them.
Yes, you can. We think it is important that volunteers are not out of pocket as a result of their volunteering.
Once you’re a registered volunteer with us, you can claim reasonable travel costs while volunteering and other expenses by arrangement.
We try to make sure that our volunteering opportunities are accessible for everyone, however, if you would like to discuss any additional requirements that you may have, please email volunteering@stroke.org.uk with details of the role you are interested in and what adjustments you might need.
Having a criminal record does not necessarily mean you can’t volunteer with us. If you want to apply for a role, there’s a section on the application form for you to add details about the offence. We will then make a decision based on the information you’ve provided and the role you’ve applied for.
If your volunteer role requires any particular clothing or equipment, this will be discussed with you as part of the application process and provided free of charge.
Yes you can, being an asylum seeker or refugee does not prevent you from volunteering with us.
Most of our volunteer roles are for those aged 18 and over.
Occasionally we do have opportunities for those aged 16-17. If these opportunities are available, they will be advertised on the volunteering opportunities page.
All volunteers aged 16 – 17 would need to be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times when volunteering and complete a young person’s risk assessment with the person advertising for the role.
If you are receiving benefits, you can still volunteer but sometimes there are some rules you need to be aware of. It is always best to let your benefits advisor or job coach know that you are planning on volunteering.
Further information about volunteering while claiming benefits can be found on the National Council of Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) website or talk to your job coach or benefits advisor.
Our volunteering roles are UK based, therefore whilst volunteering for us, you must be resident in the UK and we are unable to support a sponsorship application. Take a look at our current volunteering opportunities and see if there is a role that interests you.