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Wednesday, 3 October 2023

Jobseekers

Work Together - volunteering opportunities for jobseekers

Work Together is for anyone who is unemployed and looking for work. Work Together gives you the opportunity to volunteer with a local voluntary organisation. Volunteering can help you to improve your chances of finding work. Find out more, including when you can take part.

Work Together – what it is

Work Together is one of the services that Jobcentre Plus offer to help you get back into work.

Volunteering while you look for paid work may help you to:

  • improve the skills you already have
  • learn new skills
  • try something new, so that you can look for more different types of jobs
  • build your self-confidence
  • get real experience in a working environment
  • improve your CV by adding your period of work experience
  • get a work related reference
  • keep motivated by achieving something for your local community

Taking part

If you’re interested in Work Together a Jobcentre Plus adviser can:

  • explain how volunteering could help you with your job search
  • give you more information about Work Together
  • tell you what is available in your area as these vary
  • explain what will happen when you start

They can also give you details of local organisations that can help you to find a volunteering opportunity. These could include:

  • local voluntary and community sector organisations
  • community based Volunteer Centres and Centres for Voluntary Services
  • organisations that give on-line support
  • organisations with specific volunteering opportunities

Who can volunteer?

Taking part in Work Together is:

  • entirely voluntary
  • available to anyone who is unemployed and looking for work

You may join Work Together at any time unless you are required to take part in the Work Programme.

A Jobcentre Plus adviser can discuss and agree with you whether volunteering is right for you.

Jobseeker’s Allowance and Work Together

To continue to get your Jobseeker’s Allowance while volunteering, you must:

  • continue to look for work
  • attend your regular jobsearch reviews

Work Together and other benefits

If you’re getting other benefits you will continue to get them as long as you continue to meet the rules of that benefit.

For more information on volunteering while on benefits use the following link.

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