Volunteering is a fantastic thing to do for so many

different reasons…..

• Career development – Volunteering provides a great opportunity to enhance your CV. You will have the chance to develop new skills, gain knowledge and experience that can give you the edge when applying for jobs. It shows employers that you have used your free time constructively and that you are serious about work in certain fields. Often you can train while you volunteer, so not only will you gain work experience, you could also achieve qualifications or extend your knowledge at the same time. You can achieve an ASDAN Community Volunteering Qualification through the Volunteer Centre regardless of where you decide to volunteer.
  
  
• Work experience – Fancy a change of career but not sure if it’s for you? Volunteering gives you a chance to try before you commit..
  
  
• Socialising – If you are new to the area, are feeling isolated, or would simply like to meet new people, then volunteering is a different way of getting involved and feeling useful at the same time. Lots of people volunteer for this reason..
  
  
• Confidence building – Many people volunteer to build their confidence, especially if they have been ill or out of work for a long time, or have lost their confidence for any reason. Volunteering works for you; you can choose how many hours or days per week that you would like to volunteer and choose a role that you feel comfortable with. Perhaps you would like to do something that you have some experience of, or maybe you would like to try something new. Day by day we see people increase their confidence through volunteering – they feel supported, meet new people and feel they have a purpose in life again. Go on - give it a go!.
  
  
• Support your studies – If you are studying, volunteering gives you a chance to gain experience and knowledge that will help you to achieve your qualifications. Find opportunities that fit in with your course programme – you can even volunteer during your enrichment periods!.
  
  
• Student holiday periods – Home for the holidays? Why not volunteer? You can enhance studies by carrying out research, developing your creative skills, gaining practical experience or just keeping busy. If you decide to volunteer during the summer holidays bear in mind that any volunteering with vulnerable people such as children and young people, elderly people or people with disabilities will require you to undertake a CRB police check. Register as soon as you get home for the summer so that your CRB has time to come through, even if you want a few weeks rest and recuperation after a hard years study! If you leave it too late, your CRB might not come back in time..
  
  

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