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What's On

Sat 20th Mar 2010
	04:45	OrganicLea at Hawkwood
	05:00	Your Sport
	05:15	Justicia Now!
	05:50	Girl Stars
F	06:00	When Lou Met... Kim Longinotto

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Volunteering - where do I start?

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You want to volunteer but you don't know where to start?

Here are some pointers to finding a volunteering opportunity that suits you.

Overview

There has been a dramatic rise in volunteering as a result of the recession, according to leading volunteering organisations CSV and Youthnet. For a general overview of volunteering in the UK or abroad go to Directgov's volunteering resources.

Volunteer Centres in the UK

There is a network of volunteer centres across the UK that have opportunities in your community. Find out about the opportunities in your area through Do-It.org.uk, an online resource that helps you choose an activity where you live.

Key Organisations

Volunteering England (VE) is the national volunteering development agency for England, committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering in all its diversity. It advocates and campaigns to raise the profile of volunteering, and it's a member of the UK Volunteering Forum which brings together the national volunteer development agencies of the four countries in the UK.

Community Service Volunteers (CSV) is the UK's largest volunteering and training organisation.

Volunteering in the UK

There are lots of organisations that have volunteering programmes across the UK. Start with the Do-It.org.uk online database. Many organisations in the voluntary sector have volunteer programmes.

Some of the best known are BTCV (conservation and environment) and National Trust (heritage). Volunteers in organisations like WRVS help older people and encourage older people to volunteer. And there are organisations - like V Inspired - which specialise in inspiring a new generation of volunteers aged 16 - 25.

Volunteering Abroad

There has been a growth in organisations providing opportunities abroad, particularly for young people. One of the best known in the UK is Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) which caters for students and older people. You can also see what opportunities there are in the UK and abroad on Worldwide Volunteering's database.

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme contributes to development projects abroad through volunteerism. UNV believes that volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and that everyone can contribute their time and energy towards peace and development.

Go to Make a Difference Day

Last Updated ( Thursday, 29 October 2009 )