Volunteering
Volunteering is simple. It's about giving your time to do something useful, without getting paid. In return you get the satisfaction of time and effort well spent. In addition, volunteering can be a great way to meet new people, learn new skills, gain useful experience. It should also be fun!
The biggest problem for many people is finding the time to volunteer. It can reduce your choices if you don't have much time to spare, but many busy people do find suitable opportunities.
Top Tips
Hints to help you start volunteering.
- Think about what you want from volunteering - new skills, fun, a chance to contribute to a cause?
- Think about what you have to offer - enthusiasm, work skills, life skills?
- Work out roughly how much time you have to give, and how many times a week or month.
- Remember that everyone can volunteer - whatever your skills, experience or background you should be able to find an opportunity.
- Ask questions - don't be shy about asking questions as you go through the process of applying for an opportunity.
- Just try it - often the most difficult part of volunteering is making the first move, so be brave!
- Becoming a volunteer can be personally rewarding and help you to 'give something back' to your community.
What you can gain from volunteering?
As a volunteer you will be giving your time to help charities and community groups improve lives, but volunteering can provide you with many benefits including:
- The chance to have fun doing something you've never tried before
- Increased confidence
- A sense of satisfaction and acheivement
- The opportunity to make new friends and contacts with diverse backgrounds and experiences
- Increased job and career prospects and new skills - over 70 per cent of employers would hire a candidate with volunteering experience over someone who has never volunteered
For more information on volunteering opportunities email Gladys Barr or call her on 01793 511033.