Volunteering for Good Causes

Volunteer For a Good Cause in 2023 - and Help Yourself Too!

By Margaret Brecknell

If you are looking for a fresh challenge at the start of 2023, why not volunteer for a good cause? Charities, local and further afield, are crying out for volunteers to help in a whole range of different capacities. There really is a role to suit everyone and you’ll be helping yourself too at the same time.

Here are just some of the many benefits to be gained from volunteering

Meet New People

Volunteering is a great opportunity to meet like-minded new people and make friends of all ages and from all backgrounds, who you otherwise would probably have never encountered in your day-to-day life. Remember that you have all volunteered to help the same good cause, so straightaway you have plenty in common! This may be particularly beneficial to those who have recently moved to a new area, or experienced a major change in lifestyle such as retirement, bereavement or redundancy.

Gain Work Experience

For youngsters about to enter the world of work for the first time or those looking to return after a long career break, volunteering allows you to gain invaluable work experience and learn new skills. This will help you to stand out from the crowd and appeal to potential employers when you are ready to enter the job market. Improve Your Physical and Mental Health

Volunteering can play an important role in keeping people physically active and it also offers many mental health benefits. Volunteers report a sense of accomplishment and purpose in giving something back to society. Volunteering can also increase self-esteem and has been shown to help those suffering with depression and stress. Help The Planet

There are many ways in which you can make a positive contribution towards protecting the environment through volunteering, whether that means becoming involved in a community garden, taking part in a clean-up operation or helping wildlife. Don’t forget, also, that charity shops promote re-use and recycling, thereby helping to reduce waste that would otherwise end up in landfill.

So how do you find a volunteering opportunity that’s right for you? You’ll probably gain most from the experience if you take some time to consider the type of good cause which best suits your personality and interests and whether there is something specific you are hoping to achieve by volunteering.

There are a huge number of volunteering opportunities out there, even if you only have a limited amount of time to spare. Here are just a few ideas to get you started. Animal & Wildlife Charities

Local rescue centres are constantly on the lookout for volunteers to provide practical care for the animals by feeding, grooming and cleaning up after them. Even if you only have limited time available each week, why not volunteer as a dog walker or help in socialising some of the more nervous cattery residents. Well-known animal charities like the RSPCA, Cats Protection and the Dogs Trust all have rehoming centres here in the North-West, but don’t forget the large number of excellent smaller rescues which are often run entirely by local volunteers. A Google search is a good starting point for discovering animal rescue centres in your local area.

Alternatively, the Lancashire Wildlife Trust and RSPB need volunteers to participate in their conservation work at nature reserves across the North-West. They are also looking for volunteers to interact with visitors and run activities. Visit www.lancswt.org.uk and www.rspb. org.uk for more details on current volunteering opportunities locally. Canal & River Trust

This charitable trust, which was established with the aim of caring for the waterways of England and Wales, offers a wide range of conservationbased opportunities. Join their Towpath Taskforce, or become an education volunteer and help children discover the magic of the waterways. Visit www.canalrivertrust.org.uk for further details.

Charity Shops

Charity shops play a key role in fundraising for many charitable organisations. Walk down any high street and you’re likely to come across several of them, most of which are probably in need of volunteers. Working on the till in a charity shop is a great way of gaining retail experience, but there is also plenty of

work to be done behind the scenes if you don’t feel confident dealing with customers. You may prefer to sort donations, price goods or even put your digital skills to good use by helping list items online.

Why not pop into one of your local charity shops and have a chat with the manager about volunteering opportunities.

Lancashire Volunteer Partnership Visit www.lancsvp.org.uk or call 01772 416417 to access a wide range of volunteering opportunities in the public sector. There really is a role to suit people of all ages and abilities. As a Community Support Volunteer, befriend an isolated elderly or disabled person, or give a carer some respite. As a Volunteer Countryside Ranger, you can become involved in everything from picking up litter to leading guided walks and teaching others how to respect the countryside. Alternatively, become involved in the Lancashire Police/Fire and Rescue Service Cadet Schemes, or even volunteer as a Special Constable. Royal Voluntary Service (RVS)

Volunteering for the RVS enables you to use your own individual skills to support the National Health Service or your local community in a rewarding and meaningful way.

Volunteer at one of the RVS hospital cafés or become involved in one of its local lunch clubs for the elderly. Act as a helper at an NHS vaccination centre or provide patient transport for essential medical appointments. Visit www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk for more information on the different volunteering roles available.

St John Ambulance

St John Ambulance is the UK’s leading first aid charity and has a proud history of helping people for over 140 years. As a St John Ambulance volunteer, you’ll receive invaluable first aid training which may at some point literally help to save somebody’s life. With this training under your belt, you are then able to become a member of one of the St John Ambulance first aid teams which are regularly in attendance at public events. For more details, visit www. sja.org.uk

Volunteer Abroad

There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer overseas in areas like conservation and community projects, animal welfare, education and medicine. Students often choose to volunteer abroad whilst travelling on a gap year, but it is not just for the young. Many older adults also become involved in short-term overseas voluntary work.

For those who are looking to do voluntary work overseas, check out organisations who specialise in this area like Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), Projects Abroad and Eurodesk. Work With Children

Volunteering to work with children can be extremely rewarding, as well as providing invaluable experience for those looking to pursue a career in education or social care. There are plenty of ways in which you can help young people. Become a volunteer classroom assistant in a local school, help pupils with their reading or take on a mentoring role. You may wish to join the PTA or become a governor at your child’s school.

Alternatively, help at a local play scheme, afterschool or youth club. Consider becoming involved in the Scouts and Guides movement. If you enjoy sport, pass on your skills and experience to the next generation by taking on a coaching role. 