Volunteering

Please VISIT these websites to develop your IDEAS and VOCABULARY about the subject:

• http://www.youthvolunteering.com.au/young-people

• http://www.vso.org.uk/volunteer/opportunities/vso-ics-for-18-25-year-olds

Now READ  about some  YOUNG PEOPLE who have already volunteered abroad:

• http://www.volunteerhq.org/volunteer-abroad-reviews

What is voluntary work

To volunteer, means simply, to be motivated and give one's time or energies to work towards a project or cause that you are interested in.

Why should people volunteer?

Volunteering gives individuals the chance to explore avenues that would not usually be open to them. This experience enables an exchange of cultural and social contact between volunteers and their host nationals.

It enables people to learn new skills and languages, to develop and gain practical experience in the field in, sometimes demanding conditions, and to develop leadership and teamwork skills. In addition, personal development which is difficult to evaluate, is one of the greatest benefits to working and travelling amongst people from different cultures.

Voluntary work - what's it all about?

The main feature of this sector is the lack of profit and the dedication to a particular cause. The voluntary sector in the UK currently has a turnover of £20 billion and continues to grow.  The type of experience that can be gained is very varied.  There are many opportunities ranging from working in an administrative or commercial capacity such as in marketing to practical work such as environmental field projects, campaigning, fundraising or shop-work. Some volunteering opportunities require people to offer individual support to groups or people such as those with illnesses or disabilities.

Benefits of volunteering

·       Learning new skills – these can include practical skills as well as ‘soft’ skills such as communication, time management and problem solving.

·       Experience – you can gain valuable experience for an area that you would like a career in, for example teaching, PR or social work.  The same is true if you need experience to be considered for a vocational course.  Volunteering also offers you a ‘safe’ environment in which to test out certain career areas to see if they are something that you wish to pursue. 

·       Meeting new people - volunteering allows you to meet people outwith your own social circle. These can be students from other degree courses and universities, people in a different age group from you and people from different backgrounds.  It can be a chance to find out more about the community you live in outside of university.   In these situations you will no doubt form friendships but you will also find this an opportunity for you to network now and in the future.

·       ‘Giving something back’ - for some people volunteering is entirely altruistic.

·       Learning more about a cause - if there is a cause that you have a special affinity with, then through volunteering with a relevant organisation you can learn more about it.

·       Improving confidence and feeling of self-worth - being an important part of a team or being highly valued by an individual you are working with can do wonders for your self-esteem.

It is important to remember that all types of employers view volunteering as just as valuable, and in some cases more valuable than, paid work.

What's in it for me?

·        a sense of personal fulfilment?

·        an opportunity to 'give something back'?

·        involvement in the community?

·        the chance to meet new people?

·        to acquire new skills?

·        the opportunity to explore new areas of work; test out suitability and commitment before making career decisions?

·        necessary pre-course experience?

·        enhancing your CV?

What can I offer?

·        Personal qualities - projects seeking volunteers tend to value enthusiasm, new ideas and hard work more than specific skills. People skills — cheerfulness, patience and understanding — are most important.

·        Expertise - particular abilities will always be welcomed. Conservation projects appeal to those with practical or technical skills. Teaching, advisory and counselling activities demand high levels of communication skills. Being able to drive could be a useful asset.

·        Affinity - support for a cause, concern for a special project or group of people or sharing the aims, objectives and values of a specific organisation could lend support to your desire to be a volunteer.

·        Time commitment - how much time can you realistically spare? Some voluntary projects may only need you on an ‘as and when available’ basis. Others, particularly when working in a supporting or teaching capacity or when specific training is offered, will look for regular and sustained involvement. You may need to agree a mutual trial period with the voluntary organisation. 

Types of work

·        Social care - Typical roles include: advice worker (e.g. advising on consumer, legal and employment issues); drug user support worker; kitchen assistant for homeless people; project organiser. 

·        Environment and Animals - Typical roles include: conservation volunteer; researcher; animal fosterer; farming assistant; rescue worker; fundraiser. 

·        Education and Youth Work - Typical roles include: literacy/numeracy tutor; IT tutor; Girl Guides/Scout leader; youth leader; student tutor in schools. 

·        Children and Families - Typical roles include: befriender; childsitter; telephone counsellor; crèche worker; mentor

·        Health - Typical roles include: hospital “buddy” (i.e. providing friendship to people in long term care); information officer; providing therapeutic care (e.g. massages for those in hospitals, hospices and respite care); ward helpers; care worker. 

·        Arts, Sports and Culture - Typical roles include: music group facilitator; choir organiser; crafts group support assistant; historic house guide; lifeguard; sports coach; referee

·        Equality - Typical roles include: web designer; committee member; administrator.

·        Community Development - Typical roles include: community radio staff; assistant in children and women’s groups; journalist (community magazines/newspapers).

·        Working with the Elderly - Typical roles include: IT teacher; mini bus driver; café assistant; social club helper; day care assistant.

Volunteering all over the world

Types of work

What you could be doing  in many countries is very varied.  The main types of volunteer work that students and graduates are involved in are:

·        Conservation - projects include monitoring species populations and habitats on land and in the sea.  Some projects also include an educational element, for example you would teach the importance of conservation to local people. 

·        Construction - building places that will benefit whole communities, such as schools, community centres and houses. 

·   Teaching/Education - this includes teaching English, sports and music to young children through to adults.  Health education is also a popular area to volunteer in and can often be done in conjunction with a teaching placement

·        Youth Work - includes working with children in orphanages, children with disabilities and street children. 

·   Social and Community Work - working in a community, sometimes with specific groups, such as women, to promote awareness of a wide range of issues

·    
     Healthcare - using skills already gained in healthcare in projects overseas.  Medical students early on in their studies can be involved in some projects.