WHICH VOLUNTEERING IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
TRADITIONAL
This is how most people think of volunteering. Volunteers commit on a regular basis and roles can be extremely diverse.
ONE-OFFS
Volunteers help on a single occasion, often at community events. Sometimes training is given.
FUNDRAISING
Volunteers are given permission and resources to raise funds for the organisation. Some volunteer fundraisers go collecting with tins or undertake a sponsored challenge; others write funding proposals or sit on fundraising committees.
INTERNSHIPS
Acquiring skills through on-the-job training, interns are often students or post-graduates seeking experience. Unlike the corporate sector, smaller staff teams within charities expose interns to greater hands-on experience.
TRUSTEESHIPS
Trustees form the governing body of a charity, with overall legal responsibility for its management and administration. They need the skills, knowledge or experience to suit the organisation. Usually trustees meet quarterly. Trusteeships can be very rewarding, personally and professionally.
MICROVOLUNTEERING
This is undertaking small actions for a worthy cause. Tasks can take from one to 30 minutes, at home, at work or on the go. Microvolunteering is easy and low-commitment, but makes an impact by lots of people doing small acts. Examples include online scientific research or writing to a political prisoner.
VIRTUAL VOLUNTEERING
Virtual volunteering is useful because you can do it anywhere. Similar to microvolunteering, you can help with tasks such as writing a newsletter or working on a telephone helpline. You would normally keep in touch with the organisation via email or phone.
LAY LEADERSHIP
Lay leaders take high-level volunteering roles in a charity, but without the legal responsibility of a trustee, though their roles of running and attending committees are similar. As with trusteeships, lay leadership will give you good experience in high-level management and decision-making.
PRO BONO
This uses a volunteer’s work skills, for example legal, financial, marketing or sector advice, shared on an ongoing basis with one or several organizations.
MENTORING
This involves using your skills to support an individual. It is highly rewarding for the mentor as it can have life-changing effects on the mentee. Examples include helping unemployed people gain skills and (re)join the job market or helping young people or adults with reading or maths.
OVERSEAS
Overseas placements can range from conservation to international development. Short placements (‘voluntourism’) require volunteers to pay for transport and living expenses. Skilled individuals may have these costs covered.
CONTACTS
JVN helps 300 charities to find volunteers, and 8,000 volunteers to find the right volunteering opportunity.
Think Volunteering, Think JVN.
See www.jvn.org.uk to find out more or call 020 8203 6427 or email Getinvolved@jvn.org.uk