Volunteering FAQs
Hopefully you’ll find the answer to your question on this page, but if you don’t, just drop us an email.
Everyone who volunteers has a different reason for doing so. Some do it to enhance their skills and CV, others to have a positive impact on a cause they feel strongly about, and others to meet new people and have fun. Volunteering with Teenage Cancer Trust does all of that, and much, much more!
We have some of the most exciting opportunities around and no matter what you do with us, you will be having a huge impact by helping us to support young people with cancer.
Simply fill in the application form on the page of the opportunity you’re interested in. View our volunteering opportunities.
If you’re under 18 you’ll need a parent or guardian consent form too (see below).
If you haven’t spotted a particular role you’re interested in just yet, but would like to sign up to hear about future volunteering opportunities, simply fill in our registration form.
This is a simple one! Just head on over to our Volunteer with us page to see what we’re looking for support with.
We don’t tend to offer opportunities to volunteer directly on our units or with young people with cancer. If you’re specifically interested in this type of role, we suggest you get in touch with the volunteering service at your local NHS hospital trust.
We don’t currently have the capacity to offer any specific work experience or internships.
If one of our standard volunteering placements might meet your requirements as a work placement, we’d be happy to provide a written reference upon completion of the role, that you can use to evidence your involvement.
If you’re 13 or over – yes!
As many of our volunteering opportunities as possible are open to everyone 13 or over. However, there are some that might unavoidably have a higher age limit.
All volunteers under the age of 18 need to have written consent from a parent or guardian to volunteer. You can find our online consent form here. You’ll still need to submit a normal application form too, and you can find the right form alongside the role you’re applying for.
If you’re aged 13-15, you’ll also need to have an accompanying adult with you. This is someone aged 18+ who will take responsibility for you on the day, and who is also signed up to volunteer at the same event(s) as you. They can register using our online sign up and should state on their application that they will be accompanying you.
If you’re 16 or 17, you can volunteer without an accompanying adult.
The amount of time we ask volunteers to donate varies depending on the opportunity. Some opportunities only ask volunteers to give a few hours on one particular day and others ask for a longer-term commitment. We will always make it clear what time commitment we are asking of you and in most circumstances we can be flexible.
If you volunteer for Teenage Cancer Trust at events, we try our best to allow you to see the event itself. However, this depends on the type of event and the availability of space. Agreeing to volunteer with Teenage Cancer Trust will not automatically guarantee volunteers access to an event.
Absolutely! We have a range of volunteering opportunities at events across the UK, including local sporting or challenge events, attending festivals and balls or taking part in a collection at a local store. Several of our regular collection opportunities take place nationwide, so you’re bound to find something near to you.
Or if events aren’t your jam, check out our flexible volunteering opportunities, which can be done from home (or wherever you are!).
At the moment we don’t offer work experience placements on our units or working directly with young people with cancer. Get in touch with the volunteering service at your local NHS hospital trust for more information about volunteering opportunities at hospitals.
Not necessarily. This will entirely depend on what your criminal record is for and the role you are applying for. We will only ask about your criminal record where it’s relevant to the volunteering role (e.g. if you’re interacting with young people). We reserve the right to make a decision on a case-by-case basis.
Teenage Cancer Trust reimburses out of pocket travel and sustenance expenses while you’re volunteering, in line with our Volunteer Expenses Policy.
If you’re not sure whether you can claim for something, simply ask us in advance and we’ll be happy to clarify.
If you’re volunteering at an event, yes. We ask all volunteers representing Teenage Cancer Trust in public to wear the latest Teenage Cancer Trust T-shirt or tabard while on shift so that members of the public and attendees know you’re part of the team.
If you’re volunteering from home, in the office or somewhere else ‘unseen’, then a uniform won’t be necessary (but we won’t stop you!).
Yes! We know how important it is to recognise and embrace what makes you, you. We want everyone to feel welcome and included in the Teenage Cancer Trust team, whether you volunteer with us or you’re a member of paid staff. So, we’ve committed to making our organisation a place where we value diversity of people, and where everyone has the same opportunities and is supported to achieve their very best.
We couldn’t support as many young people with cancer as we do without the incredible support of our volunteers. We want you to enjoy volunteering with us and feel a part of our team, so we promise to learn from your lived experience, listen to your views, and change our policies and processes if they’re stopping us from becoming a diverse and inclusive organisation.
