Frequently Asked Questions

How much time do I have to spend each week?

You can spend as much or as little time as suits you - we value whatever time our members can give to the organisation.

Do I need to have a First Aid certificate?

To carry out First Aid duties at events it is essential that our members have a Standard First Aid certificate, however St Andrew’s benefits from the work of many support volunteers, for example in fundraising and administrative assistance, for which formal qualifications are not required. See our Support roles page for more information.

Is further training available?

Volunteers who want to develop their skills further are encouraged to reach the highest standards, and to pursue specialised areas of interest, for example becoming a Trainer/Assessor or learning to use a defibrillator.

Are there any other benefits?

Being part of a team at major venues and events means that you get to meet new people and can really increase your social life, but the biggest difference to many of our volunteers is the confidence that volunteering brings them. Knowing how to deal with an emergency and having the skills to help where needed can give you a real boost, and it looks great on your CV!

What events do St Andrew’s cover?

Our volunteers cover almost every type of event you can think of. Anywhere that members of the public gather in numbers or people come together to compete in sports, organisers will need to ensure that there is First Aid cover. To give you an idea just how diverse volunteering with St Andrew’s can be, here are just a few of the hundreds of events that we attend each year:

Football - SPL, SFL etc plus all Scotland internationals at Hampden

Rugby - International, Magners League and amateur matches

Music - O2 Academy, Corn Exchange, AECC, Stirling Castle to name but a few...

Festivals - T in the Park, Coloursfest and Connect are just some of the festivals in our calendar each year

Shows and Exhibitions - Royal Highland Show, Glamis Extravaganza, Cowal Highland Gathering

Charity Fundraisers - many other charities rely on St Andrew’s to assist with their fundraising events including the Edinburgh Moonwalk, Anthony Nolan Trust Fund Raising Day and the various charity road races

Fireworks Night and Hogmanay celebrations

plus all major Golf, Equestrian, Athletics and other sporting events.

Will volunteering affect my Job Seekers Allowance?

Provided you comply with the requirements of your Job Seekers Allowance you will not normally be affected. Usually this means that you must continue to look for work and be available for interviews, and you must tell your Jobcentre about the voluntary work you intend to do before you begin.