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What is volunteering?
Whatever you’re into, volunteering can offer an exciting and fun opportunity for you. A volunteer is someone who works for free, usually for a charity or a good cause. This can include community development projects. Volunteering opens doors, creates new opportunities and is a fantastic chance to help yourself, whilst helping others.
What are the benefits of volunteering?
Volunteering is a great way to:
- meet new people- Volunteering is a good way to meet like-minded people as you work together for a common cause, helping other people and making a difference. Volunteering gives young people the opportunity to meet and bond with others from a wide range of backgrounds.
- boost your confidence- Taking part in challenging experiences and interacting with new people will enhance your self-belief and confidence.
- enhance your skills– Volunteering helps you develop and enhance key skills such as team working, commitment, communication and decision making.
- enhance your chances of getting a job - Employers recognise volunteering helps your personal development (a way of saying how we have improved ourselves). Keep a portfolio of your voluntary achievements so you can show what you have learnt and use examples in a job interview.
- make a difference to the community – Gain a sense of real achievement by being involved in change that improves people’s lives.
- have fun – Doing something new and challenging can be fun and rewarding.
How can I make a difference?
You might be fed-up because there seems to be nothing to do in your community. Volunteering can get you involved with all sorts of activities and you can search for interesting opportunities available locally on the Do-it! website. You may be surprised at the range of opportunities available near you!
Volunteering abroad
You can volunteer for projects across your local community, the whole of the UK or even abroad. Many young people decide to volunteer abroad as part of a gap year, for example on a conservation project or helping the less fortunate abroad.
Useful websites
Do-it.org.uk
Search a database of over one million opportunities and apply online.
Vinspired
Connects 16-25 year olds with volunteering opportunities in England and offers opportunities in Essex. Hotline 0800 089 9000 or text ‘v’ to 80010.
Young Essex Assembly (YEA)
The elected youth council for Essex. There are 75 members of the YEA (aged between 11 and 19) mirroring the County Councillors. Its aim is to give all young people in Essex a voice by campaigning to make a positive difference to their lives.
iWill
Signposts and showcases Essex young people. Offers a range of volunteering opportunities.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Is a voluntary, flexible programme of cultural and adventurous activities for all young people, whatever your background or ability. To find an award centre near you call the County Awards Office on 01245 436633, or visit Essex Duke of Edinburgh.
Prince’s Trust
Get on a Prince's Trust Team course and you'll take on challenges, build skills and confidence, make friends and a lot more. If you are leaving care, The Prince's Trust can find a mentor to help you with choices, and you could also use their programmes to help you become independent. Call 0800 842842 for more information.
World Wide Volunteering
Encourage and enable young people to become volunteers in the UK and worldwide. Offers a 'search and match' database service for a wide range of volunteering opportunities.
Community Service Volunteers
Provides the opportunity for full-time volunteers to live away from home for between four months and a year. You’ll receive accommodation and allowances to live on.
St John Ambulance
Provides first aid and medical support services, caring services in support of community needs and education, training and personal development for young people. They involve young people from the age of 5 to 18. They also have a student wing, LINKS. Their website has an online form if you’re interested in volunteering with them. You can contact the Essex office on 01245 265678.
Volunteering England
Provides details of local Volunteer Centres providing support and expertise to potential volunteers. Call Volunteering England on 0845 305 6979 or search online for details of your local centre.
Last updated: 10/05/11
Your Comments
Posted - 05:02, 22 Aug 2008
Thanks for your comment. I would suggest that you take a look at Essex Young Life for things to do and places to go. You can search this site from our website, using the search facility on the left hand side, below the navigation. In addition the Do-it website http://www.do-it.org.uk lets you search volunteering activities by your interests and by your location. You may find these websites helpful. You can also speak to a personal adviser in one of our centres, as they will know about different volunteering opportunities locally. Connexions
Posted - 12:11, 06 Nov 2009
when I'm older my friend and I want to go to Borneo and help out in an Orangutang orphanegde! How would I go about this?
Posted - 04:58, 09 Nov 2009
Hi thanks for your comment, I am pleased that you have started to think about what you want to do as a future career, I hope this link to the Orangutan Project will be able to give you the information you are looking for http://www.orangutanproject.com, Best of luck Connexions
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Posted - 04:02, 22 Aug 2008
i would love to volunteer to everything that is to do with sports ,public services, motorbikes,youth work anything like that i have a btec first certificate level 2 in to distinction