Coronavirus and volunteering 

We know that the last few years have been a difficult time for everyone. We also know that as Covid is still around, you may still wish to do Covid related volunteering.  

Thank you - your contribution will make a positive difference.

All volunteering opportunities, including COVID-19 related volunteering opportunities are advertised on Volunteer Hub.  Through this volunteering you can be part of the historic response to Covid-19...

Please don’t forget that it is really important if you have any symptoms, that you notify your Volunteer Supervisor straight away and we recommend that you stay at home.

Please note that if you feel that you are unable to volunteer out in the community (for example you may be shielding) but you are still keen to volunteer, you can volunteer from home. On Volunteer Hub we have a variety of phone/online volunteering opportunities that you can do from home. To find them, when you search for opportunities on Volunteer Hub highlight 'Yes' in the 'Show volunteering from home opportunities only' box and these opportunities will appear for you. 

Volunteer Hub

Coronavirus and volunteering - Frequently Asked Questions  

Below are a list of FAQs related to the COVID-19 pandemic and your volunteering. If these do not answer your particular concerns please do contact us with your questions.

We have asked that all organisations that are promoting volunteer opportunities on Volunteer Hub to confirm that they have a risk assessment in place for each opportunity they advertise. If any organisation does not confirm they have a risk assessment in place, we will not promote their volunteering opportunities to you.

No, unless the organisation that you are volunteering with specifically requests that you wear a face covering for that role. For example, you may be volunteering in a hospital. 

Please also note that some people may be exempt from wearing a face covering, for example some people with disabilities. Please be mindful and respectful of this. 

You may also choose to still wear a face covering whilst you volunteer. 

If guidelines do change please contact your Volunteer Coordinator from the organisation you are volunteering with to find out if you can still volunteer.

If you are unable to still volunteer in that placement because of the new guidelines but still wish to volunteer, you can look for alternative placements on Volunteer Hub or contact the University's Volunteering Team for help. Please email us via volunteers@manchester.ac.uk so we can help you.

Yes, there are a range of phone and online volunteering opportunities available to you. For example you may wish to volunteer by phoning up an older person in the local community, befriending them and have a phone chat with them on a regular basis. There are also a variety of online volunteer placements such as the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme which addresses sustainable development challenges anywhere in the world, from any device.

Volunteer opportunities like these are available to you on Volunteer Hub. In the 'Show volunteering from home opportunities only' box when searching, highlight 'Yes' and Volunteer Hub will show these opportunities to you. 

Yes, as long as your volunteering benefits the wider community and is with a charity/not-for-profit organisation, it will count towards the Stellify Award/MLP.

For more details about the volunteering that counts towards the Stellify Award go to the volunteering pages of the Stellify website

To find out about what volunteering counts for the MLP go to the MLP criteria webpage

If you feel the organisation you are volunteering with is not following the health and safety guidelines, please let us know as soon as possible. You can contact us by email via volunteers@manchester.ac.uk.

Please also note that if you are not comfortable volunteering, you can choose to stop. Please notify your Volunteer Supervisor to explain your reasons. 

If you have any concerns about volunteering and Covid, get in touch with the Volunteering and Community Engagement Team so we can help with any specific conerns. You can email us at volunteers@manchester.ac.uk. Alternatively you can book an online support call with a member of the Volunteer Team.

If you do experience Covid symptoms, we recommend that you notify your Volunteer Coordinator straight away to inform them. We also recommend that you stay at home.

If you do receive a positive COVID test after you have volunteered, please let your Volunteer Supervisor know immediately.

Yes, the British Red Cross has designed and produced online training for anyone volunteering in response to the Coronavirus crisis.

This training is for anyone supporting a charity or helping neighbours in your local community. It provides you with details to help you look after yourself others.

You can access the online training resource here.

Yes, if you have to shield because of COVID you can still volunteer. However you must not take up a face to face role. On Volunteer Hub we have a variety of online/phone volunteering opportunities that you can do from home. To find them, when you search for opportunities on Volunteer Hub highlight 'Yes' in the 'Show volunteering from home opportunities only' box and these opportunities will appear for you. 

Contact us

Email: volunteers@manchester.ac.uk

Volunteering and Community Engagement Team on social media