Frequently Asked Questions on volunteering
How many volunteers help Scope?
At any one time, we estimate that there are around 10,000 people supporting local services we provide with and for disabled children, people and their families.
Why do people volunteer for Scope?
There are many reasons why people volunteer for us and these reasons include:
- A personal connection with cerebral palsy and disabled people
- To improve the quality of life for other people
- For personal satisfaction and achievement
- As a means of occupying spare time meaningfully
- To meet other people
- To gain skills and experience
- To assist in effecting positive change
What do volunteers do for Scope?
The range of our activities is extensive and our volunteers fulfil important roles on two fronts.
Firstly, they provide direct and beneficial support in many areas, such as:
- Scope shops - we have a range of different roles from preparing donated goods to helping with the book-keeping
- Fundraising - house-to-house collection or event participation
- Driving - transporting donated goods, assisting disabled people to access leisure activities
- Supporting people - advocacy, social enabling, befriending, supporting parents, respite
- Campaigning - supporting our campaigns and creating your own with Campaigns Network!
What can Scope offer its volunteers?
We believe that volunteering for Scope should be a mutually rewarding experience and that all of our volunteers are entitled to consistent support and opportunities. Download the Scope Volunteer Handbook for more information about how we support volunteers and what we hope you can offer us.
What does Scope expect from volunteers?
Volunteer roles across Scope let you know what you will be doing, how your time, skills and experience will help Scope and what is required from you.
What checks do you do on volunteers?
This depends on where you volunteer with Scope. If you volunteer within our services for children and adults then you will be asked to complete an enrolment form, provide independent references and to undertake a Criminal Records Bureau check. This process is in place to protect both the volunteers and our service users - it is part of national regulations and it may take some time, so please be patient through this process as it is very important.
What do I do next?
Think about how much time you are able to offer and for how long and what skills you have to offer and want to develop. If you are only able to offer a short amount of time, please consider the fundraising roles.
Once you have decided your availability, contact Scope Response and ask where your most local service is. They may not be able to tell you if there are any current volunteering vacancies, but they can give you the contact details so you can contact them directly.
If you would like to volunteer in the many roles in our shops, then please contact your local shop.
On behalf of Scope, thank you in your interest in supporting us by volunteering.
