Finding volunteer work in your local community can be one of the most rewarding decisions you make. And, for nearly 1 in 2 of us, the reason we volunteer is to offer our help to others and to play a part in improving things.
If you’ve decided to volunteer in your local community, but are wondering where to begin, we’ve written this guide with you in mind. As a hospice team primarily led and run by volunteers, with a small number of paid staff, we’ll share five steps to help you research and thoughtfully choose the right local volunteer role for you.
1. Find Your Motivation to Volunteer
Whatever you enjoy doing, and whatever your experience and skills, the chances are you will be able to find a volunteer opportunity that feels rewarding. A first step before you start browsing volunteer websites, though, is to take the time to look inwards.
When we find our motivation for something, we’re more likely to commit to it. That’s why it can be helpful to reflect on:
- What are you interested in doing?
- What kind of work do you enjoy?
- Are you looking for a role you’ve done before, or something new?
- What skills would you like to offer?
- What would you like to learn?
- How much time would you like to spend volunteering?
With the answers to these questions, you’ll have a much clearer picture of the kind of volunteer role that will suit you. Maybe making a contribution is most important to you, or feeling part of your local community. You might also want to volunteer to gain work experience. Read more about the reasons why people volunteer here.
2. Talk to Other Volunteers
When you’re learning about volunteer roles in your area, it’s a good idea to talk to other people who volunteer. These could be your friends and family, or you can speak to volunteers in areas you are interested in.
This could mean visiting your local charity shop or attending an event. Charities you might be interested in will often run events for volunteers or share volunteer stories on their website, helping you gain a sense of the roles and how you might fit in.
If you’re thinking about volunteering at Skanda Vale Hospice, for example, you can come to one of our coffee mornings. We hold these on the last Thursday of every month, and they can be a great way to find out more about what we do, or simply stop by for company and a chat. There’s always fresh coffee and plenty of cake.
3. Research Volunteer Opportunities in Your Local Area
Now that you’ve been speaking to local volunteers, you’ll likely have a better understanding of the kind of role you’re looking for. You might also find out about volunteer opportunities through word of mouth, especially for local charities without a big presence online.
That said, searching online can be a great place to find local roles. For example, if you’re interested in volunteering for a larger charity like Girlguiding or St John Ambulance, they’ll be able to put you in touch with their local branches
You can also find a huge range of rewarding opportunities in smaller local charities like our hospice. Take a look at their websites to see the roles available, or fill out the contact form to find out more.
Lastly, if you’re curious to see what else is out there, you can find nationwide opportunities with organisations such as Volunteering Wales, Charity Job, Reach Volunteering, Step On Board and Volunteering Matters.
4. Meet the Charity for an Initial Conversation or Interview
Once you’ve found a role, the next step with most local charities is to ask you to come and meet them or have a call to find out if the opportunity is a good fit for you.
Having a friendly conversation or interview with the charity you’d like to volunteer for is a good moment to ask questions and check whether the role fits your motivation. For example, visiting the charity and meeting its people will likely give you an impression of their values, and a feel for whether or not these resonate with you.
You’ll also have an opportunity to share the skills you can offer, or might like to learn, the time you’re able to commit, as well as learning more about the kind of commitment required for the role.
Some charities might even offer you volunteer benefits in return for your time, such as covering travel expenses, organising social events, home-cooked meals, or even Tempo Time Credits.
5. Start Your Volunteer Role
Once you’ve met with the charity, there may be checks to complete before you can start your role. The charity you volunteer with will usually take care of these for you.
When you’re ready to start volunteering, remember, it’s normal to feel nervous on your first day. Take the time to immerse yourself in the role and get to know the people around you, whether they’re service users, staff or other volunteers.
For new volunteers (and experienced ones), it helps to bring patience and an open mind to your work. One of the big benefits of volunteering is being part of a team and the chance to give back to your community. As with all worthwhile work, though, stay with it and you’ll uncover the rewards over time.
Hear Sue talk about her role as a volunteer cleaner at our hospice and how she’s creating something beautiful for people during the most important time of their lives:
Finding a Volunteer Role Near You
People volunteer for so many reasons, and if you’re ready to find a rewarding role that allows you to contribute and help others, we hope this guide has given you the steps you need to find it.
At Skanda Vale Hospice in Carmarthenshire, we can offer you a wide range of volunteer opportunities that can work flexibly around your other commitments. Whether you’re interested in volunteering as a kitchen helper, cleaner or healthcare support worker, you can find out more about our volunteer roles here.
