| Here are some of the questions that people often ask about volunteering at Cancer Research UK.
Read through the answers to get a better feel for what it's like to volunteer with us!
What are the benefits of volunteering?
Who volunteers for Cancer Research UK?
How much time do I have to give?
What skills and experience do I need?
What training and support will I be given?
Can I claim expenses?
Where can I volunteer?
I have a special skill to offer – can I volunteer too?
What are the benefits of volunteering?
Above all, volunteering can be a lot of fun and is a great way of meeting people and finding new friends in your local area. Many volunteers also benefit from learning new skills and building up valuable work experience, to help them get paid work in the future.
Other volunteers gain great satisfaction from putting their existing experience or professional skills to good use by donating their talents to our cause. Whatever your motivation, you can be sure that your efforts will be making a real contribution to the work of Cancer Research UK, the UK's leading cancer research organisation.
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Who volunteers for Cancer Research UK?
People from all walks of life volunteer with us. Students and young people volunteer to gain the work experience and skills they need to help them get a job in later life.
Similarly, other people volunteer after they have had a break from the job market and are looking to build up fresh experience. Many of our volunteers are retired people, looking to put their experience and some of their newfound free time to good use!
Other volunteers are in full-time work but find the time to volunteer at evenings and weekends. Read stories from some of our existing volunteers to see the sort of people who give up their time for Cancer Research UK.
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How much time do I have to give?
Cancer Research UK has a range of volunteer roles requiring different amounts of time – from full-time placements, to an afternoon a week or one-off events. Take a look at the different roles we have available and choose the one that suits you best.
You could volunteer in one of our shops for a few hours each week. Or organise a fundraising event, choosing exactly how much you want to do and when. You could help on the day at one of our major events or give up two months of your time to come and work at one of our offices.
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What skills and experience do I need?
Many of our volunteer roles do not require you to have any experience or specialist skills. For example if you would like to work in our shop chain, work at one of our events or try your hand at fundraising, we will provide all the training and information you need to take on these roles.
A limited number of our volunteering opportunities require you to have particular skills but this is always stated in advance.
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What training and support will I be given?
Whatever volunteer role you choose to take on, we will give you all the training and support you need to feel comfortable in your work.
All volunteers within Cancer Research UK have a staff member who they can go to for help and support. In many roles, more experienced volunteers will also be on hand to offer advice to new members of the team.
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Can I claim expenses?
Cancer Research UK volunteers do not receive any payment for their work but are able to claim expenses so they are not out of pocket! For example, volunteers can claim previously agreed travel expenses and, if devoting a full day to the charity, the cost of a sandwich lunch.
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Where can I volunteer?
You could volunteer in one of over 600 shops, located across the UK. Use our shop locator to find your nearest store.
We also have volunteer roles available at our head offices in London as well as our regional offices. Have a look at our latest opportunities to see if there are office-based roles available near you.
You could also help run one of our major events. We hold events such as 10K runs and bike rides all over the UK and need volunteers to help in the run up and on the day.
There are some roles that you can carry out almost anywhere! Our fundraising volunteers raise money for Cancer Research UK the length and breadth of the UK. If you're interested in fundraising, our network of local staff will be on hand to offer you the advice and support you need to make your activities a success.
We also have a small number of volunteer tasks that can be carried out remotely – have a look at our opportunities search to find roles of this type.
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I have a special skill to offer – can I volunteer too?
From time to time people come forward willing to offer their professional skills or expertise to our cause. In the past we have benefited from the help of web designers, lawyers, dermatologists, video producers, accountants and auctioneers to name but a few examples!
If you have a particular skill to offer and think you can help Cancer Research UK, please get in touch with our Volunteering Advisor, on 0207 4385277, or email volunteering@cancer.org.uk.
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