Volunteering is for anyone.

It gives you the chance to use your current skills and knowledge, develop new ones, meet people and become active in a positive and valuable way.

• Why become a volunteer?
• How do I start volunteering?
• What is Volunteers' Week?
• Current volunteering opportunities

Why become a volunteer?

People choose to volunteer for many reasons.

• It may be that you have been out of work for a while and feel volunteering would help you to hone up on your skills and get back into a regular pattern.
• It may be that you have a skill that you could share with others.
• It may be that you have had children, want to return to work and feel volunteering is a way of enabling you to ease back into it without the pressure.

There are many benefits to volunteering. Some of these include:

• Meeting new people with similar interests
• Gaining more/new skills
• Building up your confidence
• Having a change from your day-to-day routine
• Personal satisfaction in knowing you're making a difference
• Gaining training and expertise that could help you gain paid employment
• It's fun!

Some current volunteers told us why they volunteer:

• "Volunteering is good because it gives you a connection with people around here - with communities" (Greens' Windmill volunteer)
• "It was a personal goal to give something back to younger people so they can enjoy life as well" (SEND urban arts project volunteer)
• "Volunteering helps to boost your confidence. You can work with people of all ages and backgrounds" (Edwards Lane Community Centre volunteer)
• "Give it a go - it's brilliant!" (Crabtree Farm Community Centre volunteer)

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How do I start volunteering? 

• First, have a think about what your interests are (e.g. the environment, your local community, children), what you have to offer (e.g. enthusiasm, specific skills, previous experience), and what you want to get out of volunteering (e.g. new skills, becoming part of a community, contributing to a cause).
• How much time can you put in? Do you want a regular weekly or monthly commitment, or something more one-off?
• If you want to volunteer with a particular organisation, have a look at their website to find out who to contact.
• Click here to find out about current volunteering opportunities we know about.
• For a wider range of opportunities, you can visit Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service website. They have lots more information about opportunities to volunteer. 
• You can also search for opportunities to volunteer on the Volunteer England website  or the find further information at the Do-It Volunteering made easy website.

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What is Volunteers' Week? 

Volunteers' Week takes place from June 1st-7th each year, and is a national celebration of volunteers and volunteering. Events are organised right across England to help organisations show what their volunteers are doing, and to encourage more people to get involved. It's also a great chance to thank all those people who currently give their time and energy in volunteering. Click here to visit the Volunteers' Week website.

To celebrate Volunteers' Week in Nottingham, we worked with Nottingham Community and Voluntary Service to organise an event displaying some of the great work done by volunteers in Nottingham, encouraging more people to volunteer, and thanking current volunteers for their time.

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Current volunteering opportunities

• All of our community centres welcome new volunteers.
  Click here to find a community centre near you 
• Brazilian Soccer Schools and Socatots are looking for volunteer instructors and coaches resident in St Anns, Sneinton or Mapperley.  Volunteers can be Male or  female, but need to be 17 years or older. For more details, please see their flyer:  Volunteering - Brazilian Soccer Schools and Socatots [281kb]and contact Jonathan on 07879477336 or jonathan@sycamorecentre.org.uk
• Marie Curie Helper Could you support terminally ill people? Would you be able to help them and their families to cope more effectively? We're looking for friendly, reliable volunteers to visit terminally ill people, their families and carers who need your support. Usually going to their homes, you'll either need access to a car or public transport. We'll provide you with extensive training and support as well as out-of-pocket expenses. You'll need to be patient, empathetic and a good listener who would be committed to volunteering at least three hours a week. To find out more, please call 0845 305 2195 or email VolunteeringMidlandsWalesWest@mariecurie.org.uk for an information pack.
• Nottingham Credit Union need volunteers to help at a Sneinton collection point on Saturdays from 12.30pm to 2.30pm, either collecting money or giving out information. You would not necessarily need to commit to helping every week. For more details please contact Rachel Wicks at the Renewal Trust on 0115 9112380 or email rachel@renewaltrust.org.uk.
• Lenton Carelink support vulnerable, housebound and isolated people in the Lenton area. They are looking for people to help with befriending clients, helping in their day care centres, or driving a minibus to collect clients from their homes.
  For more details please contact Glynis Davies on 07789 950720 or email lentoncarelink@btconnect.com.
• Stonebridge City Farm are looking for volunteers to work on their reception, taking phone calls and bookings, and welcoming visitors; and people to help staff their cafe in school holidays. They also need volunteers to help lead teams of young people with learning disabilities to work on the farm and in the gardens. In addition, they would love to hear from anyone who can help with cleaning or site maintenance. If you have no experience but are interested, they can offer training.
  For more information, click here to visit the City Farm website or contact Marie Rogers on 0115 950 5113.
• Wollaton Vale Community Association is looking for new members to join its management committee. This would involve administration associated with running the community centre, and playing an active part in what goes on in the centre now and in the future. Click here to find out more about Wollaton Vale Community Centre.
  For more information, contact Julianne Christou, Neighbourhood Development Officer for the area, on 0115 883 6247 or email julianne.christou@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
• The Volunteer Drivers Unit needs people who own a car and would be willing to give up some time to help transport vulnerable adults and children who use social care services.
  For more information, contact Lynn Hooton on 0115 876 4644 or email vol.drivers@nottinghamcity.gov.uk.

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