How we can help you to volunteer
What is volunteering?
Volunteering is choosing to freely give your time to help other people, the local community or the environment. Volunteers are not paid for the work they do, although they are usually reimbursed for any out of pocket expenses they incur while volunteering.
What can I do?
There are lots of varied opportunities for you to volunteer, such as:
- Advice
- Befriending and counselling
- Administation and clerical
- Driving
- Cooking
- Campaigning and publicity
- Conservation and gardening
- Health and hospitals
- Working with lesbian and gay groups
- Supporting young children and families
- Working with minority ethnic groups
- Befriending and supporting older people
- ...and lots more to choose from...
Who can volunteer?
All sorts of people make wonderful volunteers. We welcome and support all members of the community and encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to think about volunteering. We are committed to promoting volunteering to people who are not traditionally seen as volunteers. This means that we put resources into promoting volunteering to people who are disadvantaged or who are from groups that are discriminated against.
Why volunteer?
Volunteering is not just about giving. People volunteer for many different reasons:- for their own enjoyment, to make new friends, gain new skills or refresh old ones, to obtain work experience, to conquer new challenges, to help others, to get involved in their community or to just make a difference.
Volunteering can have many personal benefits as it can help you to meet new people, develop new skills, provide a stepping stone back to employment, provide something interesting and creative to do when you retire and much more.
How can you help me?
We have a wealth of experience of placing and supporting volunteers in a range of opportunities, from working for environmental groups to becoming involved in action that effects social change. If you feel you need support to volunteer because of a disability or other difficulty, our "building bridges" project may be able to help. The project can offer varied opportunities to volunteer, time to explore your options, one-to-one support, training to suit you, pre-volunteer training, help with forms, support to interview, assistance with travel arrangements, on-going support and liason with organisations.
I want to volunteer, what do I do next?
There are a variety of ways you can find voluntary work in Tameside:
- View the National Volunteering Database (do-it), where you can find and apply online for voluntary work
- Find out more about V, a national youth volunteering programme for people aged 16-25
- You can phone us on 0161 339 2345, or pop in to make an informal appointment with one of our advisors
How can volunteering help me into paid employment?
Volunteering can help people gain new skills and work experience, usually without affecting any benefits they may be receiving. It can be a useful stepping stone back into employment and help people to regain confidence if they have been out of work for some time. Volunteering is highly valued by employers; according to a recent survey by Timebank - 73% of employers would employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one without.