About Volunteering

Volunteering is the commitment of time, energy and enthusiasm for the benefit of the community, the environment or individuals outside ones immediate family. It is undertaken freely and by choice without concern for financial gain.

Volunteering is not:

• A cheap alternative to paid staff. - volunteers often work alongside paid members of staff adding value and complementing what they do but are never a substitute for paid employment.

• Limited to one or two activities - it impacts on all areas of life including the public and private sectors and is based on local participation.

• Only for one type of person - all types of people are involved in volunteering. It is something carried out by young people, older and retired people, men and women, people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, people with and without disabilities, people with children or other caring responsibilities, people in employment and people who are unemployed, the list is endless.

Volunteering is a two way process.

As a volunteer you will have your own motivations and reasons for getting involved. A good volunteer involving organisation will ask you about your motivations and try to meet your needs as well as their own.

Through volunteering you can:

• Have a little fun - Volunteering is an excellent leisure activity. Most volunteers get great enjoyment from what they do - that's why they keep on doing it.
• Meet new friends -The social side of volunteering should not be forgotten. Getting involved with volunteering will allow you to meet lots of different kinds of people and make new friends.
• Get results - Volunteering can make a real difference to the lives of individuals, the community and the environment. As a volunteer you will get immense satisfaction at seeing the results of your hard work - that is what it's all about after all.
• Take on a challenge - Getting involved in something new can be a real challenge. Volunteering can help you achieve personal goals, develop new skills and practice your talents.
• Improve your health - Volunteering exercises both the mind and the body. You can escape from your daily routine and do something different and that's a tonic in itself.
• Move to pastures new - Volunteering contributes to personal development. If you are thinking about your career, thinking about getting a job or returning to work, the experience you gain as a volunteer can be useful.
• Be part of something bigger - Volunteering can connect you to the community you live in and make you feel part of something outside your family or circle of friends.

Before you volunteer think…

Before you begin volunteering there are a number of things you should think about to help you find a volunteering role that is right for you.

Why are you doing it?

If you are clear about why you want to volunteer then you are more likely to know what you want to do. All volunteers are motivated to some extent by the notion of wanting to do something positive for their community but often there is more to it than that. We have already outlined some of the most common reasons for volunteering and some of these may apply to you. There is no need to feel guilty or uncomfortable about considering your own needs. If you are doing work that is interesting to you, you are more likely to give more to your volunteering role and to get more out of it.

What do you want to do?

Think about the type of activity that interests you. Ask yourself:

Do you want to get involved with people, issues or the environment?

Do you want to work on your own or as part of a group?

Do you want to be involved in management and planning or are you a more 'hands on, type of person?

Would you be able to work in close, emotionally demanding relationships or would you rather do more practical work?

Be honest with yourself and the organisation you are considering volunteering with about what you do and do not want to do.

How much time can you give?

Can you make a regular long-term commitment or do you want to get involved for a shorter period of time? Time commitments can vary from a concentrated one off effort for an event or specific project, to several hours each week or month, to a full time commitment. Be realistic about how much time you can spare and over what period of time. Do not over commit yourself. A reliable volunteer for a few hours a month can be more useful than someone whose availability is unpredictable and difficult to plan for.

What skills do you have to offer?

You may have certain skills or talents that you would like to put to use in the course of your volunteering, for example, financial skills, musical ability or IT skills. You should think about these skills when considering what role you would like to do. There are many voluntary positions, which require no special skills or talents and many more where training is provided. You should be clear about whether you want to use skills you already have, are willing to participate in training to develop new skills or a combination of both!

This is the type of information you will be asked for in the online registration form and it will assist the Volunteer Centres in finding the most appropriate opportunity for you.

Volunteering and Benefits

Volunteering should not affect your social security benefits providing you comply with the rules laid down by the Social Security Agency. For more information see here .