Volunteering is a hobby or pastime enjoyed by millions of people all over the world and here at Volunteer Centre Manchester (VCM) we hold volunteer inductions every week with budding volunteers. The inductions are a good opportunity for VCM and volunteers to connect, discuss the mix of volunteering opportunities available, chat about what volunteers can expect from organisations and the Volunteer Centre, and to answer any questions volunteers have on the subject.
VCM like to highlight the fact that volunteering is a two-way relationship with both parties benefitting from the arrangement. People volunteer for a number of different reasons (all of them valid) and benefit from their roles in numerous ways. Some volunteers want to improve their social life, other volunteers may benefit by improving their skills or CV, and other volunteers just want to give something back to the community. Whatever the reason, it makes sense to do something that matches your values, personality, or interests to help make it a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
At our inductions we often find that most people have a good idea of the type of volunteering they want to do, but have not considered other factors that may come in to play. Some of the questions to ask yourself when considering volunteer opportunities should include things like:
• How much time can I commit to volunteering?
• Am I willing to undertake training in order to volunteer?
• What skills can I offer/gain?
• Do I want to get involved with long term roles or one-off events?
• How far can I travel?
VCM have put together an information sheet on what to consider, which you can find here Top Tips for Volunteering
We are all different and what works for someone else may not work for you, so keep that in mind.
If you would like to talk about this in more detail then give us a ring on 0161 830 4770 and we would be more than happy to discuss it with you.
Thanks for reading and we'll speak to you soon VCM!