A checklist of questions

Conservation, the Environment and Gardening

Adult Basic Education

Office Work

Children and Young People

Hospital Work

II. Residential

2.1. Team Volunteering

Nursing Homes

Conclusion

Introduction

Why volunteer?

There are all sorts of factors that motivate people to get involved as a volunteer. For many there is a genuine concern for the well-being of others and a belief that to get the most out of life, you need to contribute fully to society. However, there are other less obvious reasons why you might choose to volunteer and it is understandable to think about what you personally might get from this experience. Some of the benefits of volunteering include:

• a chance to develop existing skills or to gain new ones
• the experience of working in a different environment
• the opportunity to learn more about yourself and your capabilities, and gain more self-confidence
• the potential for relevant vocational training which could lead to a recognized qualification
• the chance to develop your networking skills by making new friends and developing contacts
• an insight into the work of a particular sector
• the intrinsic satisfaction of contributing to something you feel is worthwhile and which will be valued
• additional material for your CV and future job applications.

According to the Institute for Volunteering Research, most OU students who volunteer gain a sense of satisfaction from their involvement, a broader experience of life, and an opportunity to meet new people and make friends.

The national charity Timebank says that many volunteers find the experience challenging, and that in itself helps them to acquire the skills to face other difficulties in their lives.

I think that a lot of people start volunteering as a way of coping with a big – sometimes very unwelcome – change in their lives. Obviously, volunteers greatly help those they work for, but it quickly became apparent to me that I was getting a great deal more benefit from volunteering than I had ever expected. During the hard times especially, it was a real life-saver to have something else to think about and also the support of those around me.

What you can bring to voluntary work?

The term ‘voluntary’ doesn’t equate to ‘optional’. If you decide to get involved as a volunteer, your reliability and commitment to the organization you work for is crucial – people are relying on you and expect that you will take your responsibilities as an unpaid worker seriously. So be realistic about the sort of contribution you can make as a volunteer, alongside your OU study and existing work and personal commitments. Would the occasional ‘one off’ event or a short-term project best suit the time you have available, or are you able to make a regular, more long-term commitment? For the more sensitive and demanding voluntary opportunities, such as con selling, advice work or citizen advocacy, there will be a rigorous selection process that may require both references and Criminal Record Board (CRB) checks. Prior training may need to be undertaken.

A checklist of questions

Think carefully about your motivation for volunteering and what you want to gain as well as what you can offer.

• Why are you interested in volunteering? Understanding this will help you to decide what sort of work would be most likely to meet your expectations.
• Have you got specialist skills or expertise to share with others, such as website design, business acumen or event management experience? To help you reflect, try a quick audit of your skills.
• Have you got particular qualities to offer, such as
• the ability to relate to others and empathise with them and their situation?
• a creative approach to solving problems?
• Do you want to work
• with a particular client group such as elderly people, children, or adults with learning difficulties?
• in a particular field such as the environment, homelessness or adult literacy?
• How much time have you got to offer, and are you looking for a short or a longer term commitment?
• Do you need to cover your basic expenses in order for you to get involved as a volunteer?
• How far are you prepared to travel to undertake the work?

Obviously there are many choices available to you, not only in terms of the type of voluntary work which might be most appropriate for you, but also in terms of when to volunteer. If you are a current OU student, be realistic about the additional commitments you can take on. If you are planning a short break from your studies, this could be the ideal time to get involved – possibly to apply some of the knowledge you have gained from your study and to provide direction for future course choices. Alternatively, if you are about to complete your OU study, you’ll probably find that you have got more time on your hands now, so you may wish to make good use of it.

The study unit, "Using voluntary work to get ahead in the job market", available free on the Open University's Open Learn website, contains information and activities to help you identify what type of volunteering might suit you, where to find opportunities for volunteering and how to market the skills you acquire to enhance your employability.

If you are an OU student or graduate and would like to discuss your ideas and explore options, you can contact a careers adviser at your OU regional or national center.

Date: 2015-12-24; view: 1140