First steps to Volunteering

Overview

Are you interested in volunteering with a local organisation or charity? Are you already a volunteer and would like to learn more about the role and responsibilities? Would you like to gain a nationally recognised qualification to show your ability to undertake voluntary work and add this to your CV? If so, then this course could be for you. On completion, you will achieve an Entry 3 Award in Exploring Occupational Studies.

Throughout this entry level course, you will learn about different types of volunteering and identify the various roles and activities that volunteers can do. You will learn about how undertaking voluntary work can benefit you and the organisation, and you will demonstrate your ability to undertake voluntary work.

As a volunteer, some of the learning will be through sharing your experiences and knowledge within discussions. There will also be worksheets, quizzes, and some research to help you gain a greater understanding of voluntary work and to help you reflect on the work that you are doing. You will identify and record the roles and activities that you participate in and their benefits to you and the organisation.

Entry requirements

You should be over 19 years old (although we can sometimes accept those aged 16+) must have an interest in the topic and a commitment to complete the full course and qualification. You must be in a volunteering position or willing to undertake one during the course.

Assessment criteria

You will create a portfolio of work through the compilation of worksheets and notes on discussions that you have completed throughout the course. There will be an observation of you undertaking voluntary work.

What do I need?

All equipment will be provided in the classroom. 

You will find a pen/pencil or notebook useful. You will be expected to carry out some additional tasks in your own time.

What can I do next?

After successfully completing the course, you may progress to a higher-level course or you could enrol onto one of our many Skills and Development courses and qualifications in English, Maths, ESOL or Digital Skills, or a course that may support your Learning for Work.