Company number - SC204831 Scottish Charity Number - SC 022882
First Floor, 31 Hawkhill, Dundee, DD1 5DH. Tel: 01382 226860. E-mail: admin@bodypositivetayside.org

Volunteering - frequently asked questions

• I work part-time and therefore don't have a lot of spare time on my hands would I still be able to volunteer for the project?
• Do I have to be HIV and/or HCV positive or directly personally affected by HIV and/or HCV to be able to volunteer for the project?
• I am unemployed and on benefits will I still be able to volunteer?
• I live in Angus will that be a barrier to volunteering?

We ask that anyone volunteering within the drop-in centre can give a minimum commitment of volunteering of one session every fortnight.  The drop-in centre is open during the week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 12noon to 3.30pm.  As you can appreciate, it is important that volunteers can fulfill the minimum commitment of volunteering once a fortnight for at least a period of 6 months.  It is important that potential volunteers understand that it takes time to build trusting relationships with our members.

No the project recruits people who have a genuine interest in the work of the project you don't have to be living with HIV and/or HCV to volunteer. Anyone who is interested in volunteering would be invited to attend an initial interview at the project. This is a two way process that gives you the chance to find out if this is the project that you want to volunteer for and also for us to find out if you have the qualities that we are looking for in a volunteer. As part of the selection process, volunteers have to complete volunteer induction training.  This will give potential volunteers the opportunity to learn about HIV and/or HCV related issues, the role of the volunteer and develop communication and interpersonal skills.

I am unemployed and on benefits will I still be able to volunteer?

Yes volunteering for the project should not affect your benefits. Job Seekers Allowance replaced Unemployment Benefit and Income Support for people who are unemployed. To be in receipt of JSA people have to available for work and actively seeking work. Provided these conditions are met there is no stated limit as to the number of hours per week volunteers can volunteers and still claim JSA. Volunteers claiming JSA should inform their local Job centre that they are doing voluntary work and give details about how to contact them when they are volunteering.
( Source: Communication from the Department of Social Security, March 1997)

If you are on incapacity benefit you may do voluntary work for up to 16 hours on average per week without it affecting your entitlement to benefit.

I live in Angus will that be a barrier to volunteering?

No on the contrary we welcome volunteers from any area in Tayside. The project has a Tayside wide remit which means that we cover Dundee, Perth & Angus. Volunteers are reimbursed for all their out of pocket expenses so you will be refunded for your expenses to and from the project for public transport and for use of your own car.