Volunteering
A stint as a volunteer can ensure that you continue to develop skills and experience – even if your day job doesn’t.
For some professions such as teaching, social work or journalism, voluntary experience is often a pre-requisite as it proves your commitment to the role.
You can combine voluntary work with paid work or study – opportunities include one off commitments and weekend and evening roles.
Additionally, the voluntary sector offers many interesting, rewarding and well paid career options that you might not have previously considered.
Volunteering allows you to meet new people, develop new skills, gain valuable experience and ‘put something back’. Most voluntary organisations offer training for your role as a volunteer.
If you are thinking about volunteering, consider
- What are your reasons for volunteering?
- How will it fit with your need to earn money?
- What can you realistically offer in terms of time and commitment?
- What skills can you offer, or what skills do you want to develop?
- What do you want to gain from volunteering?
- Will it affect any means tested benefits you are receiving? (Out of pocket expenses will not.)
If you want to work with children or vulnerable adults, you will be asked to undergo checks by the Criminal Records Bureau.
Higher Education Institutions employ volunteer co-ordinators who work with local communities to identify volunteer opportunities. They can give you information about what's available, and offer training and support. Your careers service or students’ union will be able to tell you how to find your volunteer co-ordinator.
