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Volunteering and Personal Development

Whatever you're in to, there's a fun and interesting volunteering opportunity for you.

Volunteering is so much more than doing something in your spare time for free. You will:

Meet new people.
Gain work experience.
Build on your strengths and develop new skills.
Become more confident!

Barnardo’s has launched a volunteering DVD to encourage more young people to volunteer.

The National Trust has many opportunities for volunteering. Search their database for local volunteering opportunities including Young Heritage Leaders (YHL) - a leadership training programme run by the National Trust in partnership with the Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC). Through planning, managing and leading outdoor conservation projects it offers participants the opportunity to develop team leadership skills.

The Jubilee Sailing Trust is offering the opportunity for 16-25 year olds under the Leadership @ Sea initiative to develop leadership and integration skills. Read their information sheet to learn more.

Over 70,000 volunteers will be required to help run the Olympic games in 2012 and Timebank has set up a website to recruit volunteers.

VSO is a leading International Development Charity that works through volunteers to tackle poverty. They have two exciting youth programmes for people aged 18-25. For more information visit the VSO website.

Fancy volunteering abroad? there’s so many exciting opportunities – check out WorldWide Volunteering for your options.

Other sources of info are volunteer bureaus. These are volunteer ‘job shops’. Call Volunteering England on 0845 305 6979 for details of your local bureau.

Councils for Voluntary Service can offer help and advice on finding volunteering opportunities. Visit the National Association of Councils for Voluntary Service for details of your nearest centre.

Looking for full-time or long-term volunteering opportunities? Try the Gap Year page for more ideas.

Let's talk about volunteering