In Scotland, there are thousands of opportunities to volunteer - many more than you might imagine. And there are lots more reasons for volunteering than you might imagine too. Giving time to help others or your community might just have some spin off benefits you didn’t think about.
You Could Live Longer!
Taking a volunteering role and helping others creates a feeling of inner strength that can help to enable a person overcome their own problems. Also, research in the US suggests that participating regularly in volunteering work dramatically improves life expectancy and vitality more than any other activity. Volunteers gain confidence, get the chance to try something new, make new social contact and get a real sense of achievement. Now isn't that a good reason to get involved in volunteering?
Skills for Life and Skills for Work
Volunteering isn't just good for the soul and feel-good factor. It can also put you on-track to improve your career and personal skills. Whether you're currently studying, in work, or unemployed volunteering is a great way to:
• develop new skills and improve existing skills
• build your confidence and motivation
• show employers you've got drive and initiative
Now more than ever employers are looking for more than just qualifications. They're interested in your personal qualities and transferable skills such as time management and communication. You don't have to have learned those things in paid work - the skills and experience you'll develop in your volunteering role are just as relevant.
Want to find a volunteering opportunity which suits you and is in your area? - Simply click the link below.
Plenty of Choice
There are plenty of wide and varied volunteering opportunities to choose from too. To find out what’s available in your area contact your nearest volunteer centre. Here is just a small selection of the opportunities available;
Children and young people
Playgroups, homework clubs, youth groups, holiday schemes, Scouts, Guides, mentoring.
Sports and leisure
Coaching, leadership, organising activities.
Arts and heritage
Helping in museums, community arts and drama.
Work with animals
Helping at animal sanctuary, riding for the disabled.
Older people
Visiting, befriending, practical help such as gardening or shopping, helping at day centres, meals on wheels.
Children or adults with special needs
Befriending, providing respite for carers, recording books or newspapers for people with visual impairments.
Hospitals
Visiting patients, providing transport, hospital radio, hospital guides, organising the loan of books and magazines to patients.
Advice work
Working with people on issues of welfare or consumer rights.
Counselling
Alcohol and drug issues, relationship issues, supporting victims of crime, youth counselling.
Community development and campaigning
Joining the residents group, campaigning or lobbying on local issues.
There are lots more volunteering opportunities available - visit the volunteer centre website to browse all the current opportunities in your area.