So what can volunteering do for you ?
Volunteering can offer you the chance to learn new skills, use your existing skills and expertise, develop new interests, meet people, become active in bringing about social change and the opportunity to get involved!
Three quarters of employers prefer to recruit candidates with volunteering experience on their CV, according to research carried out Reed Executive, recruitment consultants, on behalf of the volunteering charity Timebank. The research also shows that 60 per cent of employers are more likely to promote and give pay rises to employees who have donated their time to voluntary work.
What kind of volunteer are you ? What are your
skills? Could you be a volunteer?
Volunteering can be a highly rewarding and enjoyable experience, especially if the activities you are involved with match your character. A good way of finding out which activities suit you best is to decide on your likes and dislikes. Respond to the statements below in a yes/no manor, to get a clearer idea on what sort of voluntary work to go for.
I prefer doing to Talking!
There's nothing I like more than listening to other people!
I'm good at clerical work and enjoy using computers!
I'd like to work with other people to plan and run enjoyable, worthwhile events and activities!
Sitting in committee meetings is frustrating- I want to be out there, helping to change things!
I think I'm a good safe driver and want to use this skill to provide transport for others!
When I see the extent of poverty and disadvantage in the world, I want to help prevent the cause!
I enjoy helping other people to solve their problems or helping other people to learn new skills!
There's nothing I like more than then a pile of receipts or paper work to sort out!
It would give me great pleasure to visit someone who is lonely!
Social and group activates interest me most!
I like working out of doors and I'm good with my hands!
When I see or hear about people in distress, I want to talk to them!
Physical or boring practical jobs are not for me-I want to work directly with the people I'll be helping!
Discussing my views with others and trying to get them to change their minds is a talent of mine!
Give me a practical task working with a few other people and I'll be happy!
When I or someone else makes a mess of things, I get impatient. I want to make sure the job is done properly!
I'm a professional-I want to use my skills to help an organisation manage its affairs better!
I'm good at getting other people to support the thing that I believe in!
I hate "first we must change the system" rubbish. I want to help by providing advice and information now!
If you answers 'YES' to 1, 6, 12 and 16, you like to get on with things rather than just talking about them. You may have some special skills or you are willing to try anything. Getting involved and also seeing some results at the end of your work will give you allot of satisfaction.
If you answers 'YES' to 2, 8, 13 and 20, you are attracted by the idea of working in advice, counselling and education. You enjoy empowering others to solve their own problems. You may also be interested in assisting people to get a fair deal or becoming a listening ear in times of crisis.
If you answers 'YES' to 3, 9, 17 and 18, you are tempted by activities which enable a charity to function. Clerical and secretarial work or helping the organisation to manage its own affairs are top on your list because they all make sure a job is done properly.
If you answers 'YES' to 4, 10, 11 and 14, you are drawn to activities which involve helping other people. Activities like social events, befriending and visiting. You may be interested in the welfare of other people and like to establish good, supportive relationships.
If you answers 'YES' to 5, 7, 15 and 19, you are most likely to be a campaigner or a promoter. You tend to take a long view of things - looking to secure an organisation's future or to tackle the root causes of problems such as poverty and disadvantage. The idea of taking part in good, lively discussion of the key issues involved is tempting.
WHAT TYPE OF VOLUNTEER ARE YOU?
How your Volunteer Bureau can help you !
Your Volunteer bureau can put you in touch with many types of community or voluntary organisations who involve volunteers. These include: environmental organisations, animal welfare groups, counselling and advice groups, local and national charities.
The range of volunteering opportunities available is vast . For example, volunteers may work with children, families, elderly people, teenagers or people in middle age: they might work with people in the who have a physical disability or mobility difficulties, a learning difficulty, or mental illness. Volunteers might also work with people who are sick, homeless, victims of crime, bereaved, drug or alcohol-dependent, or who are prisoners or ex-offenders
Further Information Contact
The volunteer Bureau if want to find out about the full range of volunteering opportunities in your area, or if you want to discuss how volunteering might benefit you.
Did you Know ?
Volunteering is the second greatest source of joy, after dancing.
51% of the population of the UK volunteer on a regular basis each year, contributing more than £41 billion to the economic life of the country.
75% of volunteers feel that they offer something to society that the state can't.
15 million meals are delivered to people each year by volunteers.
Approximately 3.2 million miles are driven by volunteer drivers each year through out the UK, the equivalent of 800 round trips from Lands End to John O'Groats.
Volunteers answer 1 telephone call every 9 seconds.
Approximately 73,694 animals are found new homes each year through the help of volunteers.
Volunteers devote approximately one million hours each week to UK charity shops.
Employees who volunteers tend to happier and more effective at work
Over 300,000 trees are planted throughout the UK each year by volunteers
Volunteering: the commitment of the time and energy for the benefit of society and the community: the environment or individuals outside one's immediate family. It is undertaken freely and by choice, without concern for financial gain.
