Before you volunteer it is worthwhile taking a few moments to reflect on your motivation for are seeking voluntary work. There are literally thousands of good causes, charities, community groups, voluntary organisations, local agencies and not-for-profit organisations in the UK. Every one is deserving of volunteer support. Unfortunately on your own you cannot help them all!
By taking a few moments to think about such things as your motives and your needs now, you are much more likely to find the right voluntary opportunity for you.
Q1: WHY ARE YOU VOLUNTEERING?
- Is it because you have been touched to help a particular cause?
- Is it to help you gain new skills, perhaps for a future job or career change?
- Or could it be a way of you meeting new people and gaining a new interest?
- Can it help in your studies in some way?
Remember: Make sure you understand your motives and aims in volunteering.
Q2: HOW DO YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER?
- Would you like to go to a place of voluntary work (e.g. a charity shop) or would you prefer to do something from home (e.g. direct mailing)?
- Will you be able to commit for one hour a week or forty (be realistic – it is always more positive to increase your involvement later if you want to)?
- Are you looking for a short-term project or do you want to make a long-term commitment?
Remember: Knowing how you want to volunteer will help the community organisation you volunteer with to balance your availability against with their needs.
Q3: WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO OFFER?
- Is your volunteering related to using past experience, job skills or specific knowledge?
- Are you willing to adapt, learn new skills and meet new people?
- Do not undervalue yourself! Everyone has skills, abilities and experience that is of value.
Remember: If you know what you can bring to a community group when the group talks to you they can understand how best you can help them.
Q4: WHO DO YOU WANT TO VOLUNTEER FOR?
- Have you had contact with a specific organisation in the past that you want to help?
- Do you want to volunteer to work with certain groups, i.e. children or animals?
- Will the ethics or ethos of the organisation be important to you?
Remember: This will help you focus your search for voluntary work onto organisations that are right for you.
This list is not exhaustive but we hope it has been of use. If you think about these types of questions before you volunteer you will greatly increase the chances of finding the right opportunity for you. It could be useful to talk to those who know you well, i.e. friends, family, tutors or colleagues, to find out the answers to these questions. You might even be pleasantly surprised at the confidence some of there answers could give you!
If you require staff at coMMUni will make time to speak to you in more detail, to help you think more about your volunteering opportunities.
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