Volunteering with a Criminal Record
A Guide for
Potential Volunteers
About this guide
This guide provides initial advice for potential volunteers who have criminal convictions. It is
not an exhaustive guide and in some cases you are referred to a website for more information.
It is meant purely as a “first-look” guide to use when considering whether or not volunteering
is the right thing for you.
The booklet provides information about what to consider when thinking about voluntary work,
and how to get involved. It also shares the stories of ex-offenders who have considered or got
involved in volunteering.
Volunteer Centre Edinburgh also publishes guides about volunteering with a criminal record
for:
 Volunteer Involving Organisations
 Referrers
We are grateful to Volunteering England, Greater Manchester Against Crime and Northern
Education and Resettlement Information Services (NEARIS) for allowing us to adapt their
guide “Volunteering with a Criminal Record: Success Stories from Across Greater
Manchester”.
Angela’s Story
Angela is a recovering alcoholic and an ex-offender, released from prison in 2006. She had
not considered voluntary work before starting a training course to develop her IT skills. During
her class, the tutor pointed out that, as well as doing her own work, Angela was helping the
other students with theirs. She suggested that Angela should apply to be a volunteer.
Her alcohol support worker suggested it might help Angela get out of the house and would
take her mind off drinking. She initially started volunteering in the training centre where she
was doing her course. This gave her the confidence to join the team at Manchester Pride and
this, in turn, led her to apply to become a volunteer at Body Positive.
She says she would love to do paid work at some point but worries about employers being
prejudiced about her past or her disabilities. However, she has been told by one of the
managers at her detox unit that, if she can stay away from alcohol, she can apply to be a
volunteer there. She says that this, along with her current voluntary work, has given her the
strength to stay sober.
A range of people can provide the encouragement or spark the interest leading to someone
starting volunteering.
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How to Get Started
There are a number of different ways to get started with volunteering. An advisor at Volunteer
Centre Edinburgh can assist you through the process. You should consider these questions to
help decide what type of volunteering would be best for you:
1. What do you like doing?
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What are you good at doing? Some examples might include socialising with friends,
gardening, giving back to the community, using computers or preparing meals.
Who inspires you? You may have a family member or another person who inspires you.
What do you like about them?
Try something new. By taking chances you may find an activity that really interests you.
2. Who can help you achieve this goal of voluntary work?
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Could a friend or support worker encourage you and help you to stay motivated? They
can celebrate the successes with you and encourage you when things don’t work out
as hoped for.
3. Find out more about volunteering
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Volunteer Centre Edinburgh can tell you more about volunteering and what is involved.
You can find out lots by visiting our website at www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk.
Our Health & Wellbeing Team work specifically with folk who may require some
additional guidance or support. For more information visit
http://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/support_to_volunteer/support_to_vol
unteer or come along to our information sessions – every Thursday between 2 and 4
pm. You don't need an appointment – just drop in; you can bring a friend or support
worker along if you wish.
4. Apply for volunteering roles
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Most roles will require you to complete an application form and/or attend an interview.
You may like to talk over this with an advisor at Volunteer Centre Edinburgh.
5. Telling them about yourself
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What kind of things have you done in the past? Have you done any roles or work before,
even if they weren’t paid ones? Did you have a job while you were in prison?
You may or may not need to disclose any past convictions, depending on the volunteer
role and the level of responsibility. More information on this aspect can be found later
in this guide. Remember that organisations take many factors into account when
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deciding to take on a new volunteer, not just a criminal record. The organisation will
consider whether you are the right person for the post, and decide to appoint you (or
not – you are not guaranteed a role because you have been honest).
Organisations should have a policy in place that explains how volunteers with criminal
records are recruited. Sensitive personal information should be kept confidential by a
key person in the organisation.
6. Start volunteering
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Once an organisation has agreed to take you as a volunteer you will go through an
induction process. The organisation will tell you what support is available to you and
what is expected of you.
You may be given training so that you can do your volunteering role well.
Disclosing information about your convictions
As part of an application process, the organisation you want to volunteer with may ask you to
disclose any criminal convictions.
Sharing sensitive information about criminal convictions can pose a dilemma for potential
volunteers. Take time to consider how you explain your convictions:
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What was going on in your life at the time the offences were committed?
What has happened since?
What efforts have you taken to change things?
For example;
 Have you stopped drinking alcohol or misusing substances?
 Have you separated from harmful relationships?
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Who can provide a sound character reference for how you are now? This could be a
social worker or support worker.
In what ways have you changed?
Be cautious about “over disclosure” – only disclose what needs to be shared. However
it important that you convey a sense of responsibility for your offending. Seek guidance
if you are unsure about this.
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act aims to improve the prospects of people who have
been convicted of a criminal offence, served their sentence and have since lived on the
right side of the law. Seek guidance on whether you are affected by this
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/offendermanagement/publications/law/RehabofOffenders
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This short film "Tell, Don't Tell" covers many of the issues you might want to consider about
disclosing offences
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klilTiisjQE&feature=c4overview&list=UUDLGJYerHEzwuF
YpQ2O1NQA
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You may also want to write a disclosure letter. If it would help, ask someone to help you compile
the letter or read over it – perhaps a support worker, someone in your family or your advisor
at the Volunteer Centre. Make sure it is someone who knows you well and whose opinion you
trust.
NACRO in England and Wales provides this example:
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Protection of Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG)
There are many volunteer opportunities that ex-offenders can do without necessarily having
to disclose their criminal record. Our website
http://www.volunteeredinburgh.org.uk/volunteer/search_results/search_for_opportunities lists
many opportunities that anyone can apply for.
However, some volunteer opportunities will require you to disclose your criminal record. These
are mainly opportunities which involve working with vulnerable adults or children on a regular
basis.
In Scotland this requires you to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG)
scheme. Applying to be a member of the PVG scheme involves a check of “vetting information”
– this is conviction information retrieved from criminal justice systems and non-conviction
information held by the police that is considered relevant. Vetting information is automatically
updated if new information arises.
Visit the PVG website http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/pvg/pvg_index.html for information
about the scheme and details on how to join. Be aware that applicants with very serious
convictions may be denied PVG membership, and therefore will be unable to volunteer with
vulnerable groups. The PVG website explains this.
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Paul’s Story
While in prison, Paul shared a cell with a man who struggled with literacy and numeracy. Paul
spent a lot of time helping him with his basic skills and greatly enjoyed it.
When he was released on licence, Paul briefly lived in a probation hostel, during which time a
worker from NEARIS visited and talked about the organisation’s education work with exoffenders. Having found prison a de-humanising experience, Paul felt helping others might
make him feel more human again. With a referral letter from his probation officer he attended
a volunteer induction at NEARIS. He began volunteering as a support worker in computing
sessions, which is what he has mainly done since.
Paul has continued to update his skills. He enrolled on counselling courses and found them
very rewarding. He would have continued to do the diploma but he was unable to find an
organisation that was willing to offer a counselling placement due to his record. He has never
attempted to hide his conviction and found it helpful that the volunteer coordinator at NEARIS
was happy to discuss the conviction with him.
It’s important to create realistic expectations – there are some roles which may not be
achievable.
Alan’s Story
Alan has been unemployed for several years and was having difficulty finding work due to a
history of offences. He wanted to slowly get involved in something more constructive to break
out of the cycle he had found himself in.
He spoke to his mentor about voluntary work. Wythenshawe Farm is near to where he lives
and, as he has always loved animals, it seemed like the perfect opportunity and the obvious
choice for volunteering.
Alan finds the work tiring and hard after being out of work for so long. He has various health
problems but hopes that, despite this, he may still be able to progress into paid work as a result
of his work at the farm. He would like to get advice on suitable training which will help him to
move into employment.
There are a wide range of voluntary opportunities out there – enough for anyone’s aptitude
and interests.
Useful Contacts
Unlock: the National Association of Reformed Offenders www.unlock.org.uk
Disclosure Scotland: disclosures and PVG www.disclosurescotland.co.uk
SACRO www.sacro.org.uk
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Volunteering with a Criminal Record – A Guide for Potential Volunteers March 2014
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