Days off can’t be saved to end your placement early. We need all volunteers to complete the full placement, so everything runs smoothly. We also would not be able to offer this opportunity to everyone, so it would be unfair. 

We’ll do our best! But if others have already booked the same dates and the centre is busy, your request might not be approved. Try to plan and request early!
 

That is what it’s all about! Check in with the staff who manage the rota—they’ll know the quieter times when it's more likely your group can go together. This can be challenging to do, but we will always try our best.
 

Not at all! Many volunteers love staying busy. But we do encourage you to take breaks to relax and explore when you can.
 

We appreciate you may have plans to return home for family occasions, online exams or religious holidays. However, as all time-off, this will need authorisation from the team. Our team is large and our centres are busy, so we always need to ensure we are being fair to everyone. 

You are responsible for managing your own healthcare, including booking and attending appointments. Where possible, please arrange these appointments on your days off, so they don’t interfere with your volunteering hours.

When you arrive at your centre, we’ll help you register with a local GP. After this, it is your responsibility to manage appointments and follow-up care. GP appointments can be booked in advance to see a doctor or nurse for non-urgent medical issues. If you are injured while working, the centre will organise appropriate support, including hospital transport if needed.

Pharmacies are a great first step for minor illnesses. They can provide advice and offer over-the-counter medication. You can search online for the nearest pharmacy. For non-emergency advice, you can also call NHS 111—a free, 24/7 helpline offering medical guidance. They can advise whether you need to see a doctor or visit a hospital.

Hospitals should be used for genuine emergencies only (e.g., serious injury, severe pain, or sudden illness). Hospitals in the UK often have long wait times—typically around 5 hours—so explore other options first unless it’s urgent. If you are in a medical emergency, call 999 for an ambulance.

We have several trained First Aiders and Mental Health First Aiders across our senior and staff teams. You’ll find posters in your staff room and office with names and contact details. If you're ever feeling overwhelmed, need someone to talk to, or just want a listening ear, you can reach out to any of these team members. They’re here to support you and help guide you to additional support if needed.

Getting sick occasionally is normal—especially in a new environment, with changes in food, weather, and shared accommodation. Prioritise rest, hydration, and healthy eating to help stay well. We do expect volunteers to attend their shifts unless they are genuinely unwell. Feeling tired or run-down is not considered a reason to take a sickness day. If you are frequently unwell or calling in sick multiple times, your manager will arrange a meeting to understand what’s going on. This is not a punishment—it’s about supporting you while also ensuring fairness for your teammates and the centre. Please remember: when someone calls in sick, the team needs to re-arrange schedules, and others may need to cover extra sessions. In some cases, ongoing sickness may result in a reduction of ‘time off from volunteering’ days to help balance the workload fairly across the team. For any longer-term health issues, please speak with your manager—we’ll always aim to support where possible. Health is not just physical, and we have a great team of mental health first aiders who can also provide support and someone to talk too. 

If you are unwell and unable to attend your shift, you must contact the Duty Manager as early as possible (before 08:00). They will advise you on next steps based on the centre’s sickness process which will be explained in full during your induction.

Email [email protected] and we can help to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

In most cases, the answer is no. Centre placements are carefully planned based on available accommodation and where we believe each person will be the best fit. It’s also important to note that managing multiple requests to move between centres would be extremely challenging from a logistical standpoint.

However, if you believe you have a genuine and significant reason for requesting a move, please speak with your 1:1 Senior as early as possible. We’re happy to listen and, where appropriate, arrange a conversation to review your personal situation.

While we can’t guarantee any changes, we’ll always aim to support you wherever we can.Top of Form

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While we understand that circumstances can change, we strongly encourage all volunteers to commit to the full duration of their placement. A lot of thought goes into assigning placements, and you were selected from a large number of applicants—something we hope you’ll keep in mind when making any decisions about leaving early.

Of course, we can’t prevent anyone from withdrawing, but please be aware that choosing to leave your placement early without a valid reason or appropriate notice may affect your eligibility to receive a reference letter at the end.

If you’re feeling unsure or are facing challenges that are making you consider ending your placement early, we urge you to speak with your 1:1 or a manager as soon as possible. Our priority is to listen, support, and help find a solution if we can.

Yes—absolutely! We encourage you to make the most of your time here and explore as much as you can, including visiting other centres when possible.

However, any visits must be planned and approved in advance, before you arrive at the centre you wish to visit. This helps us manage food and accommodation appropriately.

To arrange a visit, please speak with your Senior Volunteer Team or contact a friend at the centre you’d like to visit. They’ll help you get the process started.

We love seeing volunteers connecting across centres—just be sure to plan so everything runs smoothly!