Print this pageVolunteering is a great way to doing something, without pay, that benefits other people as well as you. When volunteering you can have fun, learn new skills, meet new people and improve your CV greatly. Employers recognise the skills learnt from these activities, like communication skills and team-work. You can mention this in interviews too.
Volunteering activities can range from helping out in your local area (for example, helping children or lending a hand on a community newspaper) to trips abroad (for example, voluntary projects and holidays, which are especially good if you can’t commit your time on a regular basis).
The best way to choose what sort of volunteering is right for you is to think about what you enjoy doing, how much time you can give, what type of skills you already have and what skills you want to improve. You may be looking for a new job, in which case there are voluntary opportunities in every sector, and it means you can gain valuable experience as well as helping others out.
Sources of information on volunteering and gap year opportunities (A-Z):
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
Gap Year (Information from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office)
Skill (National Bureau for Students with Disabilities)
Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO)
If you live in Reading, Bracknell or Wokingham, you can join the VInspired TeamV Project!
