How does Matchable work?

At Matchable, we Match employees at companies with innovative, high impact projects at non-profits (charities & social enterprises) and impact startups.

When you sign up to our platform, you fill in a fun, 60-second matchmaking quiz. We use this information to Match you to projects based on your specific skills and interests, and the skills required by the non-profit or impact startup to complete the project.

How much time do I have to commit?

All of our projects have timings stated on their page, but this is usually really flexible. By volunteering you are offering your support for free, and making a massive impact for these organisations, so even if you are only able to commit a small amount of time, it is always welcome!

We have a range of processes in place to ensure that you only commit to projects that you have the capacity to take on. For example, as part of your preferences (which you can change at any point!), you can select the ‘short and sweet’ option, which means you will only see projects that are a lower time commitment. You can also shortlist projects for future reference, so if you’re interested in a project but don’t have time at the moment, it’s easy to find the project later.

When you select a project on our platform, you’re asked how much time you have to commit, and you can also send a personalised message to the organisation about your capacity. Our organisations are very happy to receive any support you can give!

What if I can't commit time right now?

That’s OK! If you find the perfect project but don't have time for a little while, there are a few options available to you. You can either shortlist the project on the platform for the future, or you can let your Volunteer Matchmaker Lindsay know so that we can manage the organisation’s expectations - we're all super understanding of how busy our day to day roles can be!

Can I do a project remotely?

Of couse, all of our projects are currently offered remotely.

Can I get others involved in a project?

YES! Most of our projects are open to individuals, pairs, or small groups, so if you're having a read and think it would be a perfect Match for you and a colleague, we will do our best to accommodate!

For groups of 3 or less, each individual should sign up to the project via the project page as normal. In the personalised message, please mention that you would like to get involved as a group, and list the other group members so that we are able to keep track of your group Match.

For groups of 4 or more, please drop our Volunteer Matchmaker Lindsay an email to arrange the specifics at lindsay@wearematchable.com before signing up via the platform, as larger groups will require a more bespoke service.

I'm a little nervous as it is my first time volunteering with Matchable. Can I get some extra support?

Our Volunteer Matchmaker Lindsay is here to help you all the way! Please get in touch with her for any questions you have about the process or the projects. You can use the chat box, email her here, or book a time to chat to with an Account Manager here.

How do I sign up to do a project?

​ Getting involved with a project is easy! Just follow our 4 simple steps to get started 🚀! ​

1. Use your work email address to register with us.
2. Fill out our 60-second Matchmaking quiz to set your personal volunteering preferences, including your availability, your skillset, and your causes of interest.
3. Once the quiz is completed, have a browse of our platform to find the perfect project for you! If you’re having trouble finalising your decision, feel free to reach out to our Volunteer Matchmaker Lindsay here, who will be happy to suggest some options!
4. After you’ve selected the the perfect project, the Matchable team will work their magic to get you Matched and on track to make your biggest impact 🚀. ​

   What if I cant find a project for me?

   ​ Sometimes our platform can be a little overwhelming because there are so many fantastic opportunities! If you’re looking around but not sure where exactly you could add the most value, please get in touch with our Volunteer Matchmaker Lindsay here or via the chat box, or book time for a call directly here. She will be able to go through our projects and find the perfect one for you! ​

   What if I find a project with a cause I really care about, but the project doesn't match my skillset?

   ​ Lots of volunteers are really driven by some of the amazing causes and stories behind our organisations, which is great! Most of the Non-Profits and Impact Startups we work with are really open to hearing from anyone who is inspired by their cause and wants to help in any way they can. Most of the time they can definitely find a place for you to add real value! ​

   Do I have to use my work related skill set for a project?

   ​ In short - absolutely not! We love hearing about our volunteers’ hobbies or hidden skill sets! For example, if you run your own blog or have a small side hustle that has given you a range of extra skills, we would love to hear more about them too! We also have lots of general projects like beta testing, research, or mentoring that suit most skill sets. To make sure you see these types of projects, please ensure that you select the ‘general’ skill option as part of the matchmaking quiz. ​

What happens after I sign up to a project?

Once you have signed up to a project on our platform, we expect the impact organisation to get back to you within 5 working days to arrange a quick call and get you started on the project! This call will give you the opportunity to hear about the project in more detail and go over any questions you may have. Here you can discuss what YOU want to get out of the project, and how much time you are able to commit.

What happens during the Match call?

This call is to ensure that there is a clear agenda, goal, and time commitment that works perfectly for both YOU as a volunteer, and the organisation. You can also learn more about the organisation itself, and the impact that you could have on them.

What if the project isn't what I expected?

While this is really rare, we understand that on some occasions, there may not be a perfect Match. A lot of the time, the organisation will be flexible, and if you really want to help but the project chosen isn't quite right, they will be able to find a place for you in another area. Alternatively, if you rather explore an entirely new project, then we can do this too! Just let our Volunteer Matchmaker Lindsay know by dropping a quick email to lindsay@wearematchable.com, and she will be able to help you on your volunteering journey to find the best project for you.

Can I do multiple projects at one time?

You’re a keen one!! You can absolutely take part in multiple projects at one time, and it can work really well for someone who may be mentoring for 30 mins a week, and also doing social media content creation for another organisation! We want to make sure that your experience is as good as it can be, and that you feel like you're making a real difference with your chosen project, so it’s important to manage your time availability with the impact organisations. When you sign up to a project, you can state exactly how many hours you can give to the organisation, while will help everyone to have realistic expectations of what can be achieved in the time available.

If you’re thinking about getting involved in multiple projects but you’re not sure, please do get in touch with our Volunteer Matchmaker Lindsay here or via the chat box - she can advise on the projects.

What recognition can I get from completing a project?

Here at Matchable, we’re incredibly proud of all our Matches. Once you've been Matched to a project, we can provide content to include on your LinkedIn page! We also write up case studies for some of our Matches, which we publish on our website and share across our social channels to inspire other volunteers to get involved in volunteering projects. If you're interested in receiving this content, feel free to drop our Volunteer Matchmaker Lindsay an email here.