Volunteering Resources
Volunteering is a fantastic way to give something to your community or the environment, in order to have a positive impact and help others.
The definition of volunteering includes any activity that involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the environment or someone (individuals or groups) other than, or in addition to, close relatives. The most important thing to consider though is that each person is making a choice to help others and make an impact through their actions.
Fantastic organisations such as YouthNet, Volunteering England and YouthFed are working hard to establish a volunteering network and infrastructure in the UK to make it easier to find information on volunteering, and promoting it as a powerful tool for positve action.
YouthNet
YouthNet aims to create a socially inclusive environment where young people living in the UK are engaged, informed and inspired to achieve their ambitions and dreams. They deliver high-quality information, signposting and frontline emotional support primarily through the internet, but increasingly through mobile phones, digital interactive TV and hand-held devices - the tools that are central to the way young people communicate.
Everything YouthNet does supports young people. Whether you want information, advice or opportunities to contribute to your community, you can go to them. They are there to engage and inspire you, offer you trusted information, and support you through every stage of your lives.
do-it.org.uk
do-it.org.uk was launched in 2001 with the first, and stil the only, naional database of volunteering opportunities in the UK. It is a free-to-use database, as they believe that volunteering should be made as widely available and easily accessible as possible.
There are sections outlining things such as the key concerns of a volunteer, volunteering abroad, residential stay-away volunteering and other opportunities for you.
Maintained as the national database, it provides the infrastructure for volunteering to work, and acts as a focal point to start your search for ways to volunteer.
Volunteering England
Volunteering England is the integrated national volunteer development organisation for England. They work across the voluntary, public and private sectors to raise the profile of volunteering as a powerful force for change.
The organisation does research into volunteering projects, supports volunteers in employment, schools, sports etc and promotes campaigns to use volunteering as a powerful tool for good.
The website itself is a great place to spend time finding out about volunteering, and has many interesting features. There are publications, images and information as well as news on relevant topics.
V Inspired
V Inspired is a fantastic site for volunteers aged 16-25 in England. Offering advice on anything from finding and joining local volunteering projects to policies and legal requirements for volunteering, there is always something relevant for young volunteers.
Written in a style suitable to younger generations, the site contains media articles highlighting volunteering, as well as blogs written by young volunteers. These give a great insight into the experiences of others, for you to learn from or simply enjoy.
YouthFed
YouthFed works in Cheshire, Halton, Warrington and Wirral to provide youth work through informal education in partnership with young people and youth organisations.
Linked to hundreds of youth organisations, it provides trips, awards, shows, competitions and more to help young people become fully involved in volunteering in a fun and creative way.
If you are 8-18, and are fed up, needing something to do, then why not contribute to your community? YouthFed offers information on how you can do this.
NOTE: The Mentoring and Befriending Foundation cannot take any responsibility for content on these external pages.
