What this tool does

Volunteering sits in its own category in UK law, separate from being an employee or a worker, and that often leaves people unsure what they can reasonably expect from the organisation they give their time to. This checker walks you through the main areas where volunteers do have some protection or a fair expectation of support, and tells you in plain terms what should be happening in your situation.

It covers things like getting your travel and lunch costs paid back, whether the charity or group should have insurance that covers you, what rules apply around criminal record checks, and whether you can ask for a reference when you move on.

Who it is for

It is aimed at people volunteering in the UK with charities, community groups, sports clubs, hospitals, schools, food banks, churches and similar organisations. It is also useful if you are thinking about taking on a volunteer role and want to know what to ask before you start, or if you are a volunteer coordinator trying to work out what your group should be offering.

Use it if you are unclear about expenses that have not been paid back, an injury that happened while you were helping out, a DBS check you have been asked to do, a reference you have been refused, or a situation where you have been asked to leave a role and are not sure if that was handled properly. It is not the right tool if you are paid for the work, even a small amount above genuine expenses, because at that point different rules start to apply.

How it works

You answer a short set of questions about the type of organisation, the kind of role, and the specific issue you want guidance on. The tool then gives you a written summary pointing to your likely position, what the organisation should be doing, and sensible next steps if something has gone wrong. Your answers are not saved, and you do not need to give your name or email to use it.