❌ Myth “If I volunteer, I’ll lose my benefits.”
✅ Fact: You can volunteer while claiming Universal Credit, as long as you:
• Continue to meet your claimant commitments
• Remain available for work (if required)
👉 Volunteering is allowed and often encouraged.
Understanding this helps organisations and individuals feel confident about taking part in volunteering.
#MythBusting #UniversalCredit #Volunteering #Inclusion #Community
❌ Myth: “Volunteering takes opportunities away from others.”
✅ Fact: Volunteering must not replace paid roles — this is a clear requirement in UK guidance.
Volunteers should:
• Complement services
• Add value
• Not be used as substitutes for paid staff
Check out the Volunteers for Health, Northants Volunteer Good Practice Toolkit & Asylum Seeker information sheet for more information. www.voluntaryimpact.org.uk/community/volunteeringforhealth/toolkit/
👉 Good practice protects paid employment.
Getting this balance right ensures volunteering remains ethical, inclusive, and sustainable. MythBusting
❌ Myth “Organisations shouldn’t involve asylum seekers due to risk.”
✅ Fact: There is no rule preventing organisations from involving asylum seekers in volunteering.
There may be practical considerations:
• DBS checks can be more complex
• Some additional support may be needed
👉 Barriers exist — but they are manageable.
With the right approach, organisations can create safe, inclusive opportunities for everyone.
Check out the Volunteers for Health, Northants Volunteer Good Practice Toolkit & Asylum Seeker information sheet for more information. #MythBusting #Volunteering #AsylumSeekers #Inclusion #GoodPractice
❌ Myth : “Asylum seekers can do any unpaid role.”
✅ Fact: Asylum seekers cannot do ‘voluntary work’ — meaning roles that involve contracts or obligations similar to employment. Volunteering must be:
• Genuinely voluntary
• Unpaid
• Without formal contractual obligations
👉 If there’s a contract, it’s not volunteering.
Check out the Volunteers for Health, Northants Volunteer Good Practice Toolkit & Asylum Seeker information sheet for more information.
#MythBusting #Volunteering #AsylumSeekers #GoodPractice #Inclusion
❌ Myth: “Volunteering counts as illegal work.”
✅ Fact: Volunteering is legal as long as it is:
• Unpaid
• With a charity, voluntary or public sector organisation
• Not a contractual role
👉 Volunteering and employment are clearly different in UK law.
Understanding this distinction helps organisations create safe, compliant opportunities.
Check out the Volunteers for Health, Northants Volunteer Good Practice Toolkit & Asylum Seeker information sheet for more information.
❌ Myth “Refugees can’t volunteer until they get a job.”
✅ Fact: Refugees can both work and volunteer freely once they are granted status.
They can:
• Take up paid employment
• Volunteer in any organisation
• Participate fully in community life
👉 Volunteering is fully open to refugees.
Check out the Volunteers for Health, Northants Volunteer Good Practice Toolkit & Asylum Seeker information sheet for more information.
Clear understanding of this helps organisations create inclusive opportunities with confidence.
❌ Myth: “Asylum seekers are not allowed to volunteer.”
✅ Fact: Asylum seekers can volunteer at any stage of their claim — this is supported by UK Government guidance.
They can volunteer:
• While waiting for a decision
• During appeals
• In charities, voluntary or public sector organisations
👉 Volunteering is encouraged, not restricted. Getting this right helps organisations feel confident about being inclusive.
Check out the Volunteers for Health, Northants Volunteer Good Practice Toolkit & Asylum Seeker information sheet for more information. #MythBusting #Volunteering #Inclusion #AsylumSeekers #Community
👉 “Inclusive volunteering is possible — when we understand the rules.”
Did you believe these myths?
❌ “You’ll lose benefits if you volunteer”
❌ “You need permission to volunteer while on Universal Credit”
Want to know more about volunteering on Benefits?
Check out Volunteer for Health Northants Volunteering on Benefits guide.
#Volunteersweek #VolunteerToolKit #VolunteersForHealth #WhoCanVolunteer? #VolunteerMythBusting
Can people on Universal Credit Volunteer?
YES!
And its great experience to build confidence and to put on a CV.
The claimant must meet the commitments and be available for job interviews. For more information on how to best support volunteering though the entire volunteer journey beginning to end check out Volunteer for Health Northants Volunteers Good Practice Tool Kit.
#Volunteersweek #VolunteerToolKit #VolunteersForHealth #WhoCanVolunteer? #VolunteerMythBusting
