V O L U N T E E R I
N G
WHY DO PEOPLE VOLUNTEER?
VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME, GIVING YOUR MONEY ALL IN NAME OF COMMUNITY AND CHARITY
I WAS BROUGHT UP IN A FAMILY WHERE, ALTHOUGH MONEY WAS TIGHT, WE BELIEVED THAT PEOPLE ARE IMPORTANT AND THAT IT IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP OTHERS.
MARCIA, AGE 63 ‘a desire to give something back to the community’
I have helped raise money for the NSPCC locally, helped to run a playgroup in the village on a voluntary basis as a service to the village. Became a Parent Governor at my local primary school.Secretary of the PTFA at my children’s school and was involved in helping to organise a lot of fundraising activities. I was a Parish Councillor. I have over the years sold poppies for Remembrance Day in our village. I am now a trustee committee member for a children’s nursery.
‘Most of the volunteering I have taken part in has been primarily to gain experience and make contacts within the arts industry. After graduating from university I found it difficult to find arts realated jobs and ended up on job seekers for a while. Being in a country that gives support to those in need is a real priviledge, I wanted to make the most of this benefit whilst searching for work so used the time to take part in any voluntary opportunities and work experience.
This led to me strengthening my skills and making good business contacts/friends. Now I am a freelance artist and arts facilitator in a position to offer voluntary roles and work experience to people in similar situations to where I had been not so long ago.’
CATHERINE, AGE 24
I AM VOLUNTEERING IN UGANDA THIS WINTER
CONNOR, AGE 21 ‘to teach and pass skills on, which can be shared’
‘I am to volunteer in Uganda this winter; teaching at a primary school, helping with construction work and supporting the village peoples crafts group. I am also doing some fundraising to support the village and school I will be living/working in however my main interest is to teach and pass skills on which can be shared, developed, and continued long after I have left.’
CHARLOTTE, AGE 19
‘I volunteer because I like helping others and also to gain experience. Yesterday I volunteered to invigilate at a photography exhibition because the photographer desperately needed someone to do it. I also thought that it would be useful for me to experience as I hope to be able to exhibit my work in the future. It would also be helpful to put on my CV and the photographer said that he will write me a good reference.’
ASHLEY, AGE 25 ‘I volunteered at the London 2012 Olympic games because the opportunity to help out at an event that would be around once in a lifetime would be a horrendous situation to miss. Also to be a part of the games on my doorstep in London would make me feel accomplished in doing something for not just myself but for the whole country to show the world we are the greatest.’
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FROM THE PEOPLE I HAVE SPOKEN TO, WHAT HAVE THEY BEEN VOLUNTEERING FOR?
MUSIC FESTIVALS VEGFEST NSPCC TALL SHIPS YOUTH TRUST YOUTH SUMMER CAMPS CHILDREN’S CLUBS SPORTS EVENTS DRAMA FESTIVALS TEMWA CHARITY TEACHING CHILDREN TRAILER TRASHED LTD BRISTOL COMMUNITY FARM COMMUNITY ALLOTMENTS TEACHING CHILDREN BIG ISSUE PR HOSPITAL BROWNIES SHAW START GUIDING
WHY DO PEOPLE THINK VOLUNTEERING IS IMPORTANT IN A COMMUNITY? ‘It helps a lot of causes out to have free help and keeps some people who need to keep busy, to keep busy’ ‘It helps people less fortunate and also gains valuable experience.’ ‘Not only to help myself to have a positive view of your life and future goals, but also other people.’ ‘It is important in this day and age to bring people together.’ ‘It makes people feel part of a community and that they belong.’ ‘Enables a wealth of different skills to be used to benefit everyone.’ ‘It show that people are willing to give back to their community what they may have previously received, which in tern strengthens the communal bond between people but also increases the chances of reaching their overall goal more efficiently.’ ‘People who are passionate make change in the world.’ ‘It brings people together from different backgrounds and can help lead to other community projects.’ ‘It’s a chance to get to meet new people and grow your networks.’
‘To help less fortunate, to give back.’ ‘Brings community together.’ ‘To help with community events, projects.’ ‘It’s a valuable, two way exchange which massively benefits charities but also gives the volunteer different skills, confidence and experience.’ ‘It allows things to happen without the need of lots of money.’ ‘Meet new people, share skills, gain experience, learn, understand the community, to keep active.’ ‘Everyone should do something to help, if no one volunteered the world would be very greedy and selfish!’ ‘You become the known person within the area and you can gain lots of contacts within the other areas.’ ‘It feels good to volunteer and there is a growing number of people who need volunteers, and don’t get this kind of help any more due to public service cuts.’ ‘Give a little, get a little.’
‘Promotes positivity in the world.’
WHY NOT GIVE UP A BIT OF YOUR TIME
FOR YOUR COMMUNITY OR A CHOSEN CHARITY?