01283 219761
THE DIFFERENCE
We start with the person, not the post.
A noticeboard of opportunities only works for someone who already knows what they want, recognises themselves in a role description, and feels confident enough to approach an organisation they've never met. That's a small number of people. Here's what we do instead.
THE USUAL WAY
Roles are advertised and you browse them. You work out on your own whether you're suitable, whether the commitment is realistic, whether your circumstances would get in the way. If the right role isn't live on the day you happen to look, you've missed it.
You search. You guess.
OUR WAY
You talk to us once. We do the looking.
We get to know what you're hoping for, what you can offer and what might get in the way, then we watch for the roles that fit and send them straight to you. You stay on our matching register, so nothing expires and nothing gets missed.
WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENS
Five steps, and only one of them is yours.
1
You register
One short form. You don't need a CV, a plan, or an idea of what you want to do. You only need to be interested.
Takes about 2-3 MINUTES
2
We have a proper conversation
A call or a meeting with someone experienced. We talk about what's drawing you to volunteering, when you're free, what you'd like to get out of it, and anything that might make it harder. You'll also get honest information about what different roles really ask of people.
30–45 minutes, at a time that suits you
3
We send you roles that fit
As new opportunities come in, we check them against what you've told us and send you the ones worth your time. No searching, no monitoring a website, no wondering whether you'd be considered.
We will send you information on community-based volunteer projects
As new one-off or short-term community-based volunteer projects come in, we check them against what you've told us and send you the ones worth your time.
We will also signpost to volunteering training (where applicable)
Where appropriate we may suggest training, which is available to support your volunteering journey, for example, the Derbyshire Volunteer Passport.
4
Or you spot something and ask us
See a role advertised that catches your eye? Tell us. We'll get you the full details and talk it through against your skills and circumstances, so you can decide properly before you apply.
5
We will help you apply
If you'd like support with the application, or with the first contact, we'll do it with you. Plenty of people want that. Asking is normal.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
The hard part stops being yours.
Searching, interpreting and self-assessing move from you to us, which is where they belong.
You can arrive undecided
The biggest barrier for first-time volunteers isn't time or willingness. It's not knowing what's out there or where they'd fit. Registration asks only that you're interested. The rest is worked out in conversation.
Someone helps you see what you've got
People who've been out of work, managing illness, or caring for someone consistently underestimate themselves. A conversation surfaces things a form never would. Most people finish that call thinking better of themselves than when they started it.
Nothing is wasted
You won't be applying over and over for roles that were never going to happen. If we send you an opportunity, it's because we genuinely think it fits.
Obstacles get sorted early
Transport, cost, confidence, health, caring responsibilities, adjustments you'd need, we raise these at the start and build them into the match, rather than letting them surface three weeks in.
Nothing expires
If the right role isn't available today, you haven't missed it. You stay on our register and the opportunity finds you when it appears.
You're more likely to enjoy it and stay
Well-matched volunteers are more satisfied, more involved and stick with it for longer. That's the entire point of doing it this way.
BEING STRAIGHT WITH YOU
What we won't do.
We won't oversell a role
We won't push you into anything
We won't register you and disappear
Some roles carry a real, structured commitment, for good reasons. You'll hear that before you say yes, so you don't take on something you can't sustain and then feel you've failed at it.
Every opportunity we send is a suggestion. Saying "not this one" costs you nothing and changes nothing about how we work with you.
Registering means we come back to you. That's the foundation that the whole service rests on, and we take it seriously.
YOUR FIRST STEP
Register, and let's start with a conversation.
Tell us how to reach you and we'll be in touch to arrange a call at a time that works for you. No commitment or decision needed today.
What you'll need: your name, a phone number or email, and your home postcode. That's it! no CV, no references, no idea of what you want to do.