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Looking for Change? Volunteering Opens Doors!

Why volunteer?

Volunteering is:

  • an opportunity to meet people and make friends
  • a chance to share your interests, knowledge and experience
  • a chance to explore career options and open doors
  • a chance to put something back into your community

There are many good reasons to volunteer - the most important one is because you want to.

Volunteering is also good for your physical and mental health:

  • 63% of 25 - 34 year olds and 62% of over 65's say volunteering helps them feel less stressed
  • 71% of volunteers who offer their professional skills and experience say volunteering helps combat depression.  
  • Nearly half of all volunteers say volunteering has improved their physical health and fitness.
  • 22% of 18 to 24 year olds say volunteering helps them cut down on alcohol
  • 30% say volunteering helps them smoke less.

(2004, ICM Research findings commissioned for Community Service Volunteers and Barclays)

 

Who can volunteer?

Anyone can volunteer, whatever your background, qualifications, physical, sensory or learning capabilities you can do your part to make your community a better place. Everyone has abilities and qualities that are useful in some way.

What can I do?

You do not need any special skills.  You'll learn a lot while you're helping out and more formal training is also often available.

You could get involved in supporting:

  • children
  • young people
  • older people
  • people with disabilities

Roles include:

  • Administration and advice
  • Befriending and caring
  • Conservation and the environment
  • Practical, DIY and Gardening
  • Sport
  • Youth work
  • on a committee or as a trustee
  • and many more

To view current opportunities visit do-it.org.uk and enter your town or postcode.

I work full time - but I would like to volunteer?

Volunteer's are needed at weekends and evenings or ask your employer if they have an Employee Volunteering Scheme.  The amount of time you give is up to you - an hour or so every now and then or something more regular - you can volunteer to suit yourself.   

Will volunteering affect my benefits?

Volunteering will not affect your benefits, but you do need to inform your local Jobcentre Plus.  New rules mean that people on benefits who do voluntary work can now claim out of pocket expenses, for example, travel expenses or the cost of meals taken during voluntary activity.  To download a leaflet detailing further information click here.

I want to volunteer - what do I do now?

Contact Trish on 01642 440571 or email trish@rcvda.org.uk to make an appointment for an informal chat to match your interests and availability with an appropriate volunteering opportunity. Alternatively, you can download and complete a registration form and either return it by post or email.



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