If you're interested in contributing to positive social or environmental change but not quite sure about taking the plunge with your full-time job, volunteering can be a great option. Such opportunities can act as a stepping stone to finding a more permanent position in the area or simply provide you with a way of helping out while also developing your own skills.

We know that plenty of people are looking for exciting and engaging volunteering options, but that it can be difficult to know where to start your search. That's why we've put together this short guide to help you on your way. 

Whether you're an expert in a certain field with some hard skills you'd like to use for good or simply keen to give back to your local community in your spare time, there's something in the volunteering world for you. Do you have a particular skill or educational background which enables you to provide a service to those who otherwise couldn't afford it, perhaps legal or financial advice, accounting services, therapy, or consulting work? If so, pro bono work is a fantastic way to give back to your local community by sharing your unique skillsets. 

However, don't be put off if you don't have such expertise. Most organisations are always on the lookout for passionate and dedicated people to join them as volunteers.

Advantages of Volunteering

Doing difficult work for no pay sometimes may seem daunting but there are many benefits to be gained from spending some of your spare time volunteering.

Advantages:

  • Strengthen your CV: Showing what causes you are moved enough by to go out and volunteer can help to demonstrate your passion for a topic, adding something beyond your work experience and educational background.
  • Build a network: Volunteering can provide you with great opportunities to meet new people from a variety of backgrounds who have similar interests and passions. 
  • Develop your skills: Many volunteering opportunities offer the chance to improve both hard and soft skills, be they communication, time management, leadership or language skills.
  • Make a difference: Last, but certainly not least, by volunteering your spare time you can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, and organisations in need.

Three key tips for volunteering:

Originally written by Sydney Mengel of vostel.de and published on August 18, 2016

1. Easy: Be reliable.
If you have planned to do a volunteer shift the people on-site are waiting for you. They count on your help. If you do not show up, people have wasted valuable time preparing for you and moreover, there will be a lack of help.

2. Consider being a long-term volunteer.
Your impact is bigger when volunteering long-term. When you are aware of the routines, you do not need an introduction for every task. Also, if you volunteer in direct contact with people, you as well as the individuals you deal with can highly benefit from a “long-term relationship” instead of a short-term “flirt”.

3. Advanced: Be a changer
Take heart! You might find yourself in some volunteering work that does not feel like it is the best way to actually help. Maybe you have an idea that would get to the roots of a problem instead of only scratching on its surface. Don’t get trapped in a windmill, think big and share your ideas with the organisation you volunteer with. Or why not even start your own project/ organisation/ social business to make an impact?

Where to Find Volunteer Opportunities

Whether you’re interested in signing up to volunteer on a regular basis or as a more once-off activity, there are plenty of options. We've put together a list of UK organisations which collate current volunteer opportunities and provide information on how to get involved. They're a great starting point to get your volunteer career off the ground: 

  • Reach Volunteering - a leading platform that brings together people, skills and good causes. Since there are opportunities in a wide variety of areas, it's easy for prospective volunteers to find one they are passionate about. 
  • TimeBank - offers a variety of programmes in which volunteers can mentor individuals using their own personal skill sets. They also help companies begin their own corporate volunteer programs so if you are an intrapreneur looking to change your company’s culture, perhaps getting in contact with TimeBank can help!
  • Social Starters - Social Starters’ volunteer pairing services offer short term social enterprise volunteering UK for business professionals wanting to share skills, and learn about social enterprise.
  • Vinspired- The job website of the volunteer world specifically catered for the UK. You can find opportunities here for almost all your interests with only a few simple clicks in the search tool.
  • Envision- Envision specialises in working with youth on topics that volunteers and children are passionate about. If you are interested in sports development, fashion, science, or any other topic and working with children, than take a look at their site.
  • Team London - Team London is the official volunteering website brought to you by the mayor's office. You can search opportunities by skill, interest or borough.
  • Do-it - The UK's national volunteering database features opportunities in a wide variety of fields, ensuring your talents are put to good use.
  • idealist - Another fantastic volunteer website connecting you with the causes that you care about. They offer both an English and Spanish version of their website.

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