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Your questions answered and some useful resources

We are here to support you before, during and after you volunteer. Get the most out of your experience by using these resources to help you with everything from choosing your placement to developing your employability.

Please use the links in the drop down menu above to find out more

Why volunteer?

There are many reasons that people give for volunteering. For some, volunteering can be a route to employment, or a chance to try something new which may lead to a career change. From this perspective, volunteering can be a way of:

- Gaining new skills, knowledge and experience
- Developing existing skills and knowledge
- Enhancing a CV
- Improving one's employment prospects
- Gaining an accreditation
- Using one's professional skills and knowledge to benefit others

For others, volunteering appeals because of its social benefits. These include:

- Meeting new people
- Making new friends
- A chance to socialise
- Getting to know the local community

On top of this, many people volunteer for a variety of other reasons, such as:

- Giving something back to an organisation that has impacted on a person's life, either directly or indirectly
- A desire to make a difference to the lives of others
- Helping the environment
- Helping others less fortunate or without a voice
- Feeling part of a team
- Feeling valued
- Having quality time away from work or a busy lifestyle
- Building up trust
- Gaining confidence and self-esteem
- Finding a volunteering role that suits one's own needs and lifestyle

With the wide variety of volunteering opportunities that are available today, there is bound to be something for everyone. Another reason for its popularity is that volunteering is open to all.

It's official: Volunteering is good for you