Volunteering
If you are studying, in work, or out of work volunteering is a way to:
- develop new skills
- build confidence
- show future employers what you can do
The amount of time you volunteer for could be anything from a one off event, to a couple of hours a week, through to a full-time commitment over several months. You could work in your local area or move away from home.
There is a wide range of volunteering work, for example:
- helping maintain a wildlife area
- being part of a team planning a festival
- office work
- teaching someone to read
Unless you are already sure what you want to do, it is worth finding out what kind of work there is near where you live. If you already know the type of work you want to do, then you can contact organisations directly. For example, if you want to teach you could contact local schools, colleges or adult education centres.
Some organisations are looking for people with specific skills. Other organisations, including Volunteer Centres, will help you find voluntary work.
You can find details about looking for local volunteering opportunities on the Voluntary Action LeicesterShire website*.
*You are about to enter a website which will give you information about volunteering opportunities, including contact details. Connexions Leicester Shire has not checked the health and safety standards or child protection arrangements of the listed organisations. You should ask questions to satisfy yourself on these matters before accepting a volunteer placement. If you have any concerns, speak to your personal adviser.
Volunteering opportunities in Leicestershire and Rutland
You can search for volunteering opportunities for over 16 year olds in Leicestershire and Rutland on the vinspired website.
www.vinvolvedlr.info/index.asp
Volunteering with Connexions
Aged 13 - 19? (or up to 25 if you a disability or learning difficulty)
Did you know, there are a number of exciting ways that you can volunteer with Connexions? These include - inspecting local services for young people, interviewing new staff and talking to other young people to find out their views.
Click here to find out more about our opportunities
Come on! Get involved and do something different today!!
Volunteer Academy
The Volunteer Academy offers 100s of volunteering opportunities you can get involved in and gain a nationally recognised award at the same time. The Academy specialises in helping young people who are unemployed get into volunteering and is open to all 16 to 19 year olds.
Find out more on the Volunteer Academy website
Volunteering and claiming benefits
You can continue to claim Job Seekers Allowance while you are volunteering. While you are volunteering you must be willing and able to take up an offer of paid employment at seven days notice. You should also be available to attend a job interview if you are given 48 hours notice. While you are volunteering you must continue to actively seek work everyday. But if taking part in voluntary work is improving your chance of finding a job this will be taken into account.
Overseas voluteering opportunities
Platform2 is a global volunteering scheme for 18-25 year olds in the UK who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to volunteer in a developing country. You get all your travel, and living costs paid and visit some amazing places including South Africa, Ghana, India and Peru. Go to the Platform 2 website to find out more.
Education volunteering opportunities
Get involved in educational projects inside or outside of schools, working with young people and families to help them enjoy and achieve - whilst having fun!
Interested then contact:
Helen, at Lighthouse for an application pack or fill out the registration and monitoring form below.
phone: 0116 2492080
email: hwilber@lighthouselearning.co.uk
Registration form (Word document)
Monitoring form (Word document)
Please return to: The Stable Block, Braunstone Park, Hinckley Road, Leicester LE3 1HX. Or email to: hwilber@lighthouselearning.co.uk
Leicester city schools volunteering programme
This is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers to help and support children in a variety of ways in schools across the city. Volunteers can help children build on their confidence as well as self esteem and help raise aspirations by being positive role models.
You need to commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week for a term (12 weeks), attend a training session and undergo an enhanced CRB check.
Contact: Tricia Reynolds
Email: tricia.r@valonline.org.uk
Tel: 0116 2575046
Media volunteering opportunities
Join a group of 16 to 25 year olds to design a website and report on local events and news. This is a great opportunity to receive training and gain experience in web design and journalism.
Community and media journalism volunteering (pdf opens in new window)
Community Cash Awards from the Prince's trust
Community Cash Awards are grants of up to £5,000 to help you set up a project that will benefit your community.
What's the catch?
There isn’t one. You just have to come up with an idea for a project that will improve life in a local community in the UK. Maybe a new basketball court, a music studio, a youth club, sex education workshops in schools, a youth advisory board, even a local magazine. Visit the Prince's Trust website.
Thinking of a career in the voluntary youth sector?
Check out the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services guide to careers in the voluntary and community youth sector.