Volunteering
Volunteering is a popular way to use spare time productively, build skills and improve the world.
It can also be a route into employment, as volunteering lets you build up your relationships, contacts and experience.
25% of adults report that they volunteer at least once a month. Why don't you join them?
Not just for your Gap Year
Unless you try volunteering, you won’t find out what an amazing
experience it can be. It’s true that volunteering is usually about helping others, but have you thought about what could be in it for you?
- Gain valuable work experience while you’re looking for a job
- Meet people and socialise
- Play an active part in your community
- Do something different and have some fun?
If this sounds interesting, then there's good news for young people in Oxfordshire. There are organisations and websites which can help you find the perfect volunteering placement.
CRUCIAL: Do it search for local volunteering opportunities
Connexions Opportunity listings
Connexions Opportunity Listings are updated weekly. They include a listing for voluntary and personal development opportunities. You can see these opportunities online, or contact your local connexions centre for information about what's available in your area and advice about how to apply.
Key Link: Connexions Voluntary and Personal Development Opportunities
Help finding a volunteer placement
You can register on www.do-it.org to find some volunteering opportunities you like the look of. If you apply, it doesn’t mean you are now committed, it just means you’d like to find out more.
Also, did you know you could get your volunteering accredited? Vinvolved can offer you the nationally recognised v award. This is really useful when applying for a job or college as it shows you’ve given up some of your own time to benefit others.
Volunteer at your local Young People's club
Young People's projects are great places to get experience of working with young people. Many of the volunteers are young people themselves. Volunteers are needed for everything from manning the door to sitting on management committees, as well as for special events and to help run projects.
CRUCIAL: You can find local Youth Activities on Activities Oxfordshire
Look around locally
Lots of projects, clubs and charity shops need volunteers, and some advertise directly, e.g. outside community centres or on shop windows. You can also contact organisations directly, if you are interested in volunteering for them. Some places to look:
- Charity shop windows, other posters
- Noticeboards in your local area, at youth and community centres, schools or libraries
- Websites of local organisations
Tips on making applications
Remember that volunteering is a bit like a job. You will need to fill in an application form, have an interview, and compete against other candidates. Organisations like connexions can help you with this.
Experience: Volunteering
Gosford Hill student Stuart Lavery, 18, coaches the Chipping Norton and Oxfordshire Under-15 rugby teams, runs the school sailing club and supervises activity trips for children. For the second year running he spent 5 months organising Kidlington’s “Commonwealth Games” in which about 200 children competed in athletics. Why does he volunteer? ‘I do it because I get a sense of achievement when they do something new thanks to my help,’ he says. Source - Oxford Mail, June 2003
Links
These websites will help you find information advice and guidance around careers and choices online:
- Do it
Register as a volunteer, search for opportunities - Timebank
Be yourself, be a volunteer - Vinspired
Discover volunteering, get accredited
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