Barnardo's volunteer internship scheme - Frequently asked questions
What is a volunteer internship at Barnardo’s?
How long is a volunteer internship?
Who can apply?
Can I apply for more than one volunteer internship?
What experience do I need?
What does the application process involve?
What level of responsibility can I expect to have during a volunteer internship with Barnardo's?
What skills can I expect to gain from a volunteer internship at Barnardo’s?
What sets this volunteer internship apart from other ones I have looked at?
What unique volunteer internship opportunities are there at Barnardo’s?
Is a volunteer internship full or part time?
Where is the volunteer internship based?
Will I get paid?
Could a volunteer internship lead to a job offer at Barnardo’s?
Will you provide me with a reference when I leave?
Will I get my expenses reimbursed?
Will the volunteer internship scheme be repeated?
Q. What is a volunteer internship at Barnardo’s?
A. A volunteer internship is a voluntary placement in one of Barnardo’s departments based at either our Head Office, at one of our Regional Offices or at a Children's Service within the UK.
Volunteer internships are available across the organisation with placements in Marketing and Communications, Children’s Services Operations and Corporate Resources, to name but a few.
We aim to give volunteer interns a 'hands on' experience, which helps them to develop workplace skills whilst making a significant contribution to Barnardo's.
Q. How long is a volunteer internship?
A. The standard length of a placement is 12 weeks. The Spring Volunteer Internship scheme will run from Monday 23 February until Friday 22 May 2009
Q. Who can apply?
A. Barnardo’s runs an inclusive volunteer internship scheme, so whether you have just graduated, finished your A Levels and looking for voluntary experience in your gap year or you are looking for a change of career paths we welcome your application.
However, we do ask that you meet the following requirements:
You must:
- be 18 years old or over
- be available for 3 months
- have achieved A-levels or equivalent
- be IT literate
- be committed to Barnardo’s vision, basis and values
Please note we do not accept speculative applications, curriculum vitae or covering letters.
Q. Can I apply for more than one volunteer internship?
A. You can apply for upto 3 volunteer internships in order of preference. At interview stage, if you are not successful for your chosen role we will endeavour to signpost you to other volunteer internship opportunities.
Q. What experience do I need?
A. Previous voluntary and/or work experience is desirable but not essential. We understand that many applicants apply for a volunteer internship in order to gain voluntary experience and may not have had the opportunity to work in an office and/or a children's service.
Q. What does the application process involve?
A. Search for volunteer internship vacancies by location.
On finding a volunteer internship role you are interested in please download an application form. See the volunteer internship page for more details
When filling out the application form, please follow the guidance notes and complete the checklist. On completing the application form please send it to internships@barnardos.org.uk. Applications will then be shortlisted.
Upon short listing we would then invite the candidate to an interview, where we assess their skills and competencies in relation to the volunteer internship role they have applied for. From the interview the decision would be made as to whether to appoint the candidate.
The successful candidate, along with other volunteer interns will then be invited to start their volunteer internships on Monday 23 February 2009. The first day is given over to an induction, which gives a thorough overview of Barnardo’s.
Q. What level of responsibility can I expect to have during a volunteer internship with Barnardo's?
A. Our volunteer interns are given real responsibility and real projects to work on, which make a difference to the organisation. You won’t be here to make the tea and coffee or do the filing; we want you to get real experience.
Q. What skills can I expect to gain from a volunteer internship at Barnardo’s?
A. We expect volunteer interns to develop the following competencies; striving for excellence, problem solving, team working and professional/business initiative. We enable volunteer interns to consolidate upon their existing skills whilst developing their workplace skills.
In addition to providing training relevant to the volunteer internship role, we give all volunteer interns the opportunity to attend a CV, application form and interview skills training session.
Q. What sets this volunteer internship apart from other ones I have looked at?
A. Barnardo’s prides itself on having a volunteer internship scheme that offers a diverse range of roles across the organisation whilst giving volunteer interns a real experience with real projects to work on.
We also give volunteer interns the opportunity find out what really happens at Barnardo’s. We do this by organising visits to our services where our vital work with children, young people and families happens. We also give volunteer interns the chance to volunteer at a variety of events, such as project launches and fundraising balls, which shows another side of the organisation.
Q. What unique volunteer internship opportunities are there at Barnardo’s?
A. As well as offering volunteer internships in areas such as Fundraising, Marketing and Communications we have, in the past been able to offer specific roles in our Corporate Audit and Inspection Unit, Children’s Services Finance and Information Services. We have recently extended the volunteer internship scheme to our Retail Team, for more information visit the retail volunteer internships opportunities section.
Q. Is the volunteer internship full or part time?
A. To get the most out of the volunteer internship, we do ask volunteer interns to commit full time. However, we do understand that people have other commitments. Therefore, we do offer a variety of full and part time volunteer internships. Wherever possible we do try to be flexible but please give full details of these commitments when you apply.
Q. Where is the volunteer internship based?
A. The volunteer internship will be based either at our Head Office in Barkingside, Greater London, at one of our regional or national offices throughout the UK, or in a children's service.
Q. Will I get paid?
A. The volunteer internship is voluntary and therefore unpaid. However, we will refund travel expenses to and from Barnardo's and lunch (up to £4) each day.
Q. Could a volunteer internship lead to a job offer at Barnardo’s?
A. A volunteer internship will not lead to a job offer at Barnardo’s. However, as a Barnardo’s volunteer you will have access to our internal vacancies list.
Q. Will you provide me with a reference when I leave?
A. We can provide you with a volunteer internship reference when you leave.
Q. Will I get my expenses reimbursed?
A. We will refund travel expenses to and from Barnardo's and lunch (up to £4) each day.
Q. Will the volunteer internship scheme be repeated?
A. The scheme runs three times a year with volunteer internships starting in February, June and September.
If you have any further questions or queries, please email us at internship@barnardos.org.uk
