There are three ways to log volunteer hours on Goodsted, depending on how the volunteering was arranged. You can access the form from your profile menu - select Log Volunteer Hours from the dropdown.
New to Activities or Opportunities? If you'd like to understand how they work before going further, see What is an Activity? and Posting an opportunity and linking it to an Activity.
How was this volunteering arranged?
Select the option that best describes your situation:
Participated through an opportunity on the platform - for volunteering that was recruited through an opportunity on the platform.
Organised/led the activity - for organising, coordinating, or setting up the activity.
Other way (external, self-led, or pre-arranged) - for volunteering that didn't go through an opportunity on the platform
Option 1: Participated through an opportunity on the platform
Use this if you or others signed up for a volunteer slot that was posted as an opportunity.
Please note that if it is a fixed-time opportunity, then the volunteering hours will be automatically logged once the opportunity lead marks the opportunity complete. If it is a flexible opportunity then we advise you to log your hours manually.
Who did this work? Select at least one:
Myself - to log hours for yourself
Others - to log hours for other participants
Select the opportunity Choose the relevant Opportunity from the dropdown. The dropdown is searchable.
If you’ve ticked Others, a participant dropdown will appear. You can only select people whose application to this Opportunity has been accepted. If someone isn't appearing, they'll need to apply and be accepted to the Opportunity (or be added by the lead) before you can log their hours.
All selected participants will receive the same hours. To log different hours for different people, submit a separate log entry for each person.
Fill in the remaining fields
When was it completed? Enter a start date. If the volunteering happened across multiple days, you can also add an end date.
How would you like to log your completed hours?
Manually - enter the total number of hours directly
Time interval - enter a start and end time and the hours will be calculated for you. This option is only available when logging for a single date. If you've entered both a start and end date, you'll need to clear the end date to use it.
What did you do? Optional. Add a short description of the work.
Add images Optional. Upload photos or screenshots to evidence your volunteering.
Add weblinks Optional. Add any relevant links to support your log.
Option 2: Organised/led the activity
Use this if you were responsible for organising, coordinating, or setting up the activity - including planning or logistics for any Opportunities within it.
Select the activity Choose the relevant Activity from the dropdown. All Activities in your app will appear, whether or not they have Opportunities attached. The dropdown is searchable.
Can't find the Activity? You'll need to create it first. Open the profile menu and select Create Activity, then come back to log your hours.
Who did this organising work? Select at least one:
Myself - pre-ticked by default
Others - for other people involved in organising
If you tick Others, a participant dropdown will appear. Any member of your app can be selected as an organiser.
All selected organisers will receive the same hours. To log different hours for different people, submit a separate log entry for each person.
If you want to log hours for volunteers who participated rather than organised, submit a separate log and select Participated through an opportunity on the platform instead. Note that you'll need an existing Opportunity to do this.
Fill in the remaining fields
When was it completed? Enter a start date. If the volunteering happened across multiple days, you can also add an end date.
How would you like to log your completed hours?
Manually - enter the total number of hours directly
Time interval - enter a start and end time and the hours will be calculated for you. This option is only available when logging for a single date. If you've entered both a start and end date, you'll need to clear the end date to use it.
What did you do? Optional. Add a short description of the work.
Add images Optional. Upload photos or screenshots to evidence your volunteering.
Add weblinks Optional. Add any relevant links to support your log.
Option 3: Other way (external, self-led, or pre-arranged)
Use this for volunteering that didn't go through an Opportunity on the platform - for example, an external board role, a self-led project, or a pre-arranged programme where participants were set up outside the platform.
Select the activity Select a relevant activity that has no opportunities. The dropdown is searchable.
Can't find the Activity? You'll need to create it first. Open the profile menu and select Create Activity, then come back to log your hours.
Who did this work? Select at least one:
Myself
Others
If you tick Others, a participant dropdown will appear. Any member of your app can be selected.
Fill in the remaining fields
When was it completed? Enter a start date. If the volunteering happened across multiple days, you can also add an end date.
How would you like to log your completed hours?
Manually - enter the total number of hours directly
Time interval - enter a start and end time and the hours will be calculated for you. This option is only available when logging for a single date. If you've entered both a start and end date, you'll need to clear the end date to use it.
What did you do? Optional. Add a short description of the work.
Add images Optional. Upload photos or screenshots to evidence your volunteering.
Add weblinks Optional. Add any relevant links to support your log.
And that’s it!
Once you submit, your log will either be approved automatically or sent for admin approval, depending on your app settings. After approval, your hours will appear on the relevant Activity or Opportunity page for admins and opportunity leads and on the dashboard under volunteer hours for you.
💬 Need more help? Contact us anytime at support@goodsted.com, we're happy to assist!