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Finding out about Volunteering

There are many ways of finding out what volunteering opportunities are available:

  • Volunteer centres hold information on local volunteering opportunities. Some run projects especially for young people. Look in the Yellow Pages under 'charitable and voluntary organisations' or search online at http://www.volunteering.org.uk/.
  • ‘v’ projects encourage young people aged 16 to 24 to get involved in volunteering or set up their own projects in their local community. Find projects by visiting http://www.vinspired.com/
  • Youth Action Network is a membership organisation for projects which promote young people led volunteering. Contact the network on 0121 455 9732 or visit http://www.youth-action.org.uk/
  • Changemakers encourages young people to tackle issues of concern to themselves and their community. Ring 020 7702 1511 or visit http://www.changemakers.org.uk/
  • Youth organisations: many young people first become involved in volunteering through youth groups. Find local groups by looking in the Yellow Pages under 'youth and community groups', or by ringing the youth service office in your area – find contacts at www.nya.org.uk/usefullinks
  • Your local library should also hold information on groups catering for a wide range of interests.

There are also lots of websites providing information about volunteering opportunities.

  • http://www.do-it.org.uk/ – a national database of volunteering opportunities for people of all ages – can provide details of opportunities in your area.
  • http://www.timebank.org.uk/ can provide details of local organisations matching your volunteering interests.
  • http://www.worldwidevolunteering.org.uk/ - an online database enabling volunteers to match their particular requirements. Will carry out searches for those without internet access. Tel: 01935 825588

Finding the right opportunity for you

There are also lots of voluntary organisations involving young volunteers – too many to list here!

This is an extensive list which includes details of organisations offering residential placements in the UK and abroad: Finding out about volunteering - March 2008

Make sure you keep looking till you find something you really want to do. There's so much going on - it's worth taking the time to find something that's right for you.

Finding the right opportunity to suit you

Volunteering is open to everyone; whatever your skills, experience or background you should be able to find an opportunity that suits you.

If the idea of volunteering is new to you, ask yourself some questions first to help decide what type of volunteering might best suit you:

  • What do you want from volunteering: a chance to learn new skills, contribute to a cause or just have some fun?
  • Do you prefer working as an individual or in a group?
  • Do you have practical skills or experience which could be useful to others in your community or overseas?
  • How much time do you have to spare and on which days?
  • How long a commitment can you give: a week, a month, a year…?
  • What are your own particular interests?
  • Do you feel strongly about something - maybe the environment or an issue in the area where you live? You may want to join an existing project or set up a new one.
  • Are there certain types of work or settings that you would prefer, eg. would you be more suited to office based work or 'hands on' physical work?

Something for everyone…

Many young people volunteer through youth groups in their area, either through projects with other young people or by helping out in the club itself. Many projects specialise in providing opportunities for young people around particular themes or in particular settings. This might include opportunities to get involved incommunity radio, sports coaching, work with disabled people, environmental projects, representing other young people through youth forums, mentoring and befriending…the list is endless.

Some projects offer 'taster' sessions which give you a chance to explore different opportunities before deciding whether to make a longer term commitment. Other opportunities may be part-time or full-time in nature, taking place during the day, evenings, weekends, school holidays or as part of a GAP year.

If you can't find an existing opportunity that suits you, many projects will support you to develop your own ideas for taking action in the community. This might be setting up a youth café, tackling mobile phone theft, raising awareness of sexual health issues, anti-bullying work, campaigning for improvements to local services such as transport, leisure or simply somewhere to go, something to do for young people in the area. This gives you a real opportunity to make the most of your volunteering experience with a chance to play a key role in the design, delivery and evaluation of your own project. With the right support you could take on increasingly challenging activities, build the confidence to develop skills in leadership and gain a real sense of achievement, for yourself and your community.  Speak to your local 'v' involved team to find out about setting up your own project >>

If you are in a position to consider longer term, full-time volunteering you may want to think about Volunteering Overseas or taking part in UK Residentials. Student Volunteers may also use their volunteering experience to help develop skills or as a way of getting a break from study.

Opportunities also exist for young Disabled Volunteers who may experience a range of learning or physical disabilities; many projects will have the provision to tailor their support specifically to your needs. Likewise, many projects will have provision in place to offer volunteering opportunities specifically designed to meet the needs of disadvantaged or minority groups of young people such as ex-offenders, asylum seekers or those from low income backgrounds.