volunteering
From helping an elderly neighbour with their shopping, to providing legal advice for a local charity, volunteers make a vital contribution to all aspects of community life.
Voluntary work means working without pay, or in exchange for basic expenses, for a charity, campaign group or other voluntary organisation.
But who in their right mind works for nothing?
There are over 11 million people doing something unpaid to make the world a better place at least once a month, and 16- to 24-year-olds are more likely to be involved in volunteering than any other age group.
But why do it?
Most people say they volunteer because they want to give something back to society, or to do something to make their community a better place.
Voluntary work can also give you the chance to travel, meet new people and pick up career-enhancing skills along the way.
It’s also a particularly useful as a way into a paid job in the voluntary sector.
Some charities now even offer opportunities for ‘virtual volunteering’, doing research over the internet or building a website.
Get involved!
If you’re interested in volunteering but don’t know where to start, there are plenty of organisations that can help you find an opportunity to suit you in your local area. Here are some to get you started: