Where to Find Volunteer Opportunities You Really Care About
ACTIVISM
/ 28 AUGUST 2024
The main reason people are less-inclined (polite phrasing), to want to volunteer is because they simply don’t have the time.
Generalising here, most people spend the working week, well, working. Their 9-5’s are spent working for someone else and they wait for the weekend to relax and enjoy themselves. However, this is usually spoiled again by doing something for someone else- a birthday party, park run with the kids etc. Then, those ‘free’ hours you get become precious and the idea of squeezing in volunteering doesn’t seem fair, you’ve literally spent all week doing things for others.
But, what if volunteering- in a strange 180 way- was actually for you? It gave back what you put in?
Volunteering is a powerful way to enrich your life whilst making a meaningful impact on others and the community.
Top 5 Reasons You Should Volunteer
1. Personal Growth and Development: Volunteering provides an opportunity to develop new skills, gain experience, and enhance your resume. It can improve your communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities, making you more competitive in the job market.
2. Mental and Physical Health: Engaging in volunteer work has been linked to numerous health benefits. It can reduce stress, combat depression, and increase overall happiness by fostering a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
3. Community Impact: Volunteers play a crucial role in addressing local needs and supporting community initiatives. Your efforts can help improve the lives of others, contribute to community development, and promote social cohesion.
4. Building Connections: Volunteering allows you to meet new people, make new friends, and strengthen existing relationships. It can also help you build a network of contacts that might be beneficial for both personal and professional growth.
5. Satisfaction and Accomplishment: The sense of achievement that comes from helping others and contributing to a cause greater than yourself can be immensely rewarding. It provides a sense of accomplishment and can enhance your overall life satisfaction.
We’ve compiled a list of volunteering ideas below. Each section starts with some tips to support the people directly in your network so that you can strengthen existing connections. However, don’t stop there—it’s equally important for us to expand our reach and help those outside of our immediate circles, especially if our network is a little homogenous.
Ultimately, it comes down to this; we’re stronger together*.
*like a cup of tea with a hobnob.
JUMP TO:
Mental Health Support | Elderly | Children
Career and Technology | Animals
Environment | Human Rights | Arts
Mental Health Support
“You can’t pour from an empty cup, take care of yourself first”
If you take the time, it probably won’t take long to find someone in your network who could benefit from a listening ear. Make a conscious effort to reach out to friends with the sole purpose of finding out how they are—without any intention other than to listen. It’s important to take care of yourself first before starting this.
Check in with your emotions by journaling, exercising regularly and nourishing your body with the right foods. While you’re not a mental health professional and cannot provide full service to someone, offering support can go a long way.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer at a shop, cheer at an event or share your story through Mind UK.
Give advice and information online about Mental Illness through Rethink Mental Illness.
Become an Online Support Councelor at The Mix, providing essential support for Under 25’s.
Elderly
“”To care for those who once cared for us is one of life’s greatest honors”
Many elderly, especially in assisted living or care homes can find themselves isolated and lonely. It’s best to start by reaching out to the elderly people you know – relatives, neighbours, friends. It’s not always easy to spot where to help, so start by making conversation and lending an ear to listen. Practical ideas could be helping with household tasks, sharing a meal or listening to their life stories.
Emotional loneliness can stem from a lack of meaningful relationships; getting to know an elderly person can be just as helpful as any physical task.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Become a telephone friend with Age UK, just 30 minutes a week can make a massive difference to an older persons life.
Volunteer to lead an activity at a care home with MHA- using your talent or hobby as a way to spread joy.
Become a tea party volunteer with Re-engage and help reduce isolation and loneliness.
Children
It can be extremely rewarding to volunteer and help children, particularly as there is such a huge amount we can do.
Firstly, look at your close circle and see what time you can give there. Often, parents are under-resourced, they may be a close friend and someone you’ve offered help to before but from time to time it’s always good to reach out again. Consider gifts with simple and engaging activities like crafts, games, or outdoor toys that give parents a little respite.
When volunteering with children, ensure the organisation conducts background checks and has strong policies to protect and ensure the privacy of children.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Assist at children’s centres, aid in health services, or support social media efforts for Action for Children.
Whether you can spare an hour or two to dedicate just some time to answer Childline phones for the NSPCC, provides comfort and care to callers.
Become a youth activities volunteer with Whizz Kidz and support disabled children and young people with activities like wheelchair skills and ambassador clubs.
Provide companionship and practical support when you befriend a child with Barnardo’s. You can also support young asylum seekers, and run youth groups for disabled teenagers.
Give your time either in person or online to help disadvantaged pupils improve their English and maths abilities, with Action Tutoring– contributing to the charity’s mission to bridge the attainment gap.
Volunteer as a driver for The Rainbow Trust and help families get to important appointments.
Career and Technology
“In the UK, around 25% of over 65’s do not have ‘good enough’ IT skills”
If you’re tech-savvy or just generally alright on the computer, consider offering your support to local businesses or people. Extending professional support to those around you can be rewarding two-fold- especially then they offer the help back! It can be as simple as setting up the Fire Stick for your neighbour or editing a cover letter for a Uni student.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Become a Digital Tech Buddy for Rethink Mental Illness.
Engage with entrepreneurs at Micro Mentor and support their business growth.
Offer trustworthy technology advice as a Tech Volunteer at Ability Net
Prepare sort and test devices for collection, for a charity empowered to close the digital divide.
Animals
“Today’s good mood is sponsored by coffee and animals”
If you’re an animal lover and looking to give back there are a plethora of opportunities out there. You could provide a loving home for a guide dog puppy, trim the hedge of an animal hospital or send emails out to promote animal welfare.
There are plenty of ways we inadvertently help animals; growing wildflower meadows in our gardens, beach clean ups to reduce plastic in the ocean and picking up litter when we go on walks.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The RSPCA offer opportunities to foster pets (bunnies included), to give back and help animals if you’re not ready to fully commit yet. There are gardening, DIY roles and chances to be a micro-volunteer (where you share socials, complete surveys etc.)
Volunteer as a gardener and get involved with the animals with Wildlife Aid.
Welcome a puppy into your home for 12-16 months and become a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs for The Blind
Be a Donated Good Sorter for The Society for Abandoned Animals.
OUR EDITOR VOLUNTEERING AT A SRI LANKAN COFFEE FARM
Environment
When it comes to the environment, there are so many things we can get involved with:
1. Planting Trees: Planting trees helps combat climate change, provides habitats for wildlife, and improves air quality.
2. Support Community Gardens: Get involved in local community gardens to help grow organic produce, promote sustainable agriculture, and create green spaces in urban areas.
3. Conservation Projects: Assist in wildlife conservation projects that protect endangered species and their habitats.
4. Educational Outreach: Volunteer to educate others about environmental issues and sustainability practices.
5. Advocate for Policy Change: Join environmental advocacy groups to campaign for policies that protect the environment.
6. Support Renewable Energy Initiatives: Volunteer with organisations promoting renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.
7. Wildlife Rehabilitation: Assist in wildlife rehabilitation centres that care for injured or orphaned animals, helping them recover and return to their natural habitats.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The Wildlife Trust are keen to seek volunteers looking to practically get hands on and manage conservation and landscape
Exercise at a Green Gym with TCV. A unique chance to meet like-minded people, exercise and help look after your local area.
Join thousands of other people and be a nature recorder for The Woodland Trust.
Human Rights
“No matter where you look, there is a cause to fight for.”
Volunteering for human rights often lends itself to supporting vulnerable groups from discrimination and abuse, ensuring everyone is treated fairly and equally. It raises awareness and educates the public about human rights issues, fostering a more inclusive and just society.
Additionally, it supports the work of organisations advocating for policy changes and legal protections that uphold human dignity and freedom.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The UN is looking for online volunteers across the board—including web development, design, writing, and teaching.
Be the welcoming smile at a food back for The Trussell Trust.
Take Action with Show Racism the Red Card– from organising a workshop at your workplace to getting involved in competitions.
Be a volunteer counselor with London Friend and support the LGBTQIA+ community
Art
“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time”
The good news; around 80% of people consider themselves quite creative, the not so good news is that we often spend our ‘day job’ ignoring this side of our brains.
Volunteering in a creative capacity can unleash this skillset. To start with, if you enjoy creative things in your spare time; painting, reading- make sure you’re sharing this with your friends; you could even diversify your reading list and share it with your circle.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Work with a team of volunteers to introduce art into residential care homes across London. No prior professional experience needed- just an interest in Art.
Make a difference to hospital walls with Paintings in Hospitals.
Transcribe documents (and fill in missing information on Wikipedia) with Smithsonian.
We would Love to Hear From You
If you’re a charity, an organisation or simply a group of great people with a project that requires volunteers; please get in touch so that we can feature you on our page.
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