Volunteering is a way for you to ‘Pay it forward’ and give your time, skills and experience to a good cause. We encourage all to get involved as it will give you the opportunity to enrich your learning and development through varied activities and roles that are available.
If you are looking for a challenge or want the opportunity to use your skills, stretch yourself or just give back, then consider some of the new experiences you can engage in within the voluntary sector.
Tap into your passions
Consider what causes or activities interest you. For example, do you want to support your local school and be a Governor?
Do you want to stretch your skills or learn new ones?
Put your skills to best use
Where could your skills and experience have the biggest impact?
Be realistic about your time
How much time do you have? On a regular weekly basis, you could mentor disadvantaged young people to boost their educational opportunities. What about micro-volunteering? This is on the rise with demand for such volunteering opportunities, often tasks that can be completed online or on smart phones. It provides more accessible form of volunteering which is increasingly sought after. Growth will also be drive by technological development.
Micro-volunteering – Manchester Community Central
Get support from your employer
Does your employer offer paid volunteering leave? Those that do are keen to demonstrate and support their corporate social responsibility.
Do your research
Get researching online and in person. Go to your local volunteer centre, which you can find via the National Council for Voluntary Organisations website. National Council for Voluntary Organisations.
Volunteering made easy
Remember the best place for learning is in the stretch zone, so get out of your comfort zone and commit to a voluntary role.
Do-it.org is the most diverse and comprehensive national database of volunteering opportunities in the UK, with one million volunteering opportunities that can be searched by interest, activity or location. Volunteering made easy.
