I Want To Volunteer
What is volunteering?
Volunteers are people of all ages and backgrounds, who give their time and skills for free to help individuals or their community. There is a huge variety of volunteering opportunities on offer. For example, you could be working with children and young people, befriending an older person, providing essential transport as a driver, or helping out in a conservation project.
Why volunteer?
Just a few of the benefits of volunteering are -
- Develop your existing skills and learn new ones
Volunteering gives you the chance to apply your skills and life experience while doing something completely new. Many volunteering placements also involve training to ensure you get the most out of them. - Build your confidence and self-esteem
Volunteers are often faced with a variety of challenges, even if it’s simply adapting to doing something new. Overcoming them improves your self esteem and self-confidence in a supportive environment. - Network and improve your CV
Employers are interested in your volunteering experience. If you’re trying out a new area of interest, as a volunteer you will not only gain insight into a possible new career, but networking opportunities as well. - Meet new people
Volunteering offers you the chance to make a visible difference in your local community, broaden your horizons and meet like-minded people.
And remember - volunteering is also about trying something new and enjoying yourself!
What kind of opportunities are there?
Click here for some examples of the volunteering opportunities on offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
I work full time – can I still volunteer?
Certainly! A lot of organisations need volunteers who are available in the evenings or at weekends, but check with your Volunteer Centre. Also, bear in mind that your company may offer opportunities for employee volunteering.
How much time will I need to volunteer for?
This depends on you and what you want to do, and the opportunity you choose. There are opportunities that only require a few hours a week, whereas others might take place every evening or only occasionally. It’s up to you.
Will I get training?
Because there is such a wide variety of volunteering placements available, the level of training you need also varies. For example, volunteering with the Samaritans will require a much larger training commitment than working on a conservation project. Some organisations offer training while others require you to use your existing skill base – be sure you are clear about the training requirements before you agree to volunteer.
Will I be interviewed?
Most organisations will not need to formally interview you, though they will want to at least have the opportunity to speak to you and get to know you beforehand. However, volunteering placements involving responsibility for money, or using dangerous equipment, may require a more lengthy interview.
The organisation might ask:
- Why you want to volunteer
- What your skills are
- What you would like to learn from your placement
- How much time you can contribute.
What if I want to leave?
As a volunteer you are free to leave your placement for any reason. However, it might be a good idea to talk to your named contact in the organisation or Volunteer Centre first, to try and address any problems you may be having – the solution might be easier than you think. If you need to leave for other reasons – for example, if you get a job or if your circumstances change – try to give the organisation as much notice as possible. Most organisations will appreciate that people’s circumstances change over time and that volunteers move on.