Have you all heard of the Big Society? Maybe you have heard of schemes such as 'Orange RockCorps' on Channel 4? These initiatives are all about giving something back to the community you live in.
Our participants love having young people volunteer in their school holidays, they bring fresh ideas and lots of enthusiasm to SCILL. We feel that if young people give us their free time, we should make sure that they settle in to their role and to regularly check that they are enjoying what they are doing. We are also keen to teach volunteers new skills which may range from practical tasks through to others which aren't so clear cut but are still important - like communication, time management and problem solving. Volunteers are sometimes amazed at what they have achieved and what skills they have learnt. Contact our Volunteer & Work Placement Officer on 020 8770 4415 for more information and to discuss current opportunities.
The Volunteer Centre actively recruits people willing to volunteer and works with them to identify opportunities to meet their needs and match their skills and expectations in a wide range of voluntary opportunities. If you want to volunteer, come in for a chat with one of our Volunteer Interviewers, who are experts on local opportunities to help your community. They will try to find a suitable opportunity for you, matching your circumstances and interests. Appointments are offered Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm, and usually last about 45minutes. You will talk to one of our interviewers who will discuss your interests and requirements and help you make contact with the right organisation. Call 020 8661 5900 to book an appointment (evenings may be available on request).
www.Do-it.org.uk was launched in 2001 as the first national database of volunteering opportunities in the UK. Using Do-It you can search through one million opportunities to volunteer and apply online. There are no age-limits on volunteering, but there can sometimes be difficulties for people under 16, mostly for insurance reasons so please do check when applying.
Jigsaw4u is a charity supporting children and young people through loss and trauma whilst encouraging them to have a voice in decision-making about their own lives. You can get involved with the local Jigsaw4u group in the following ways; You can volunteer to help Jigsaw4u with their magazine 'My Shout', you can join the Jigsaw4u 'Young Inspectors' programme to carry out audits of local services, you could be an advocate to other young people, or you could be a volunteer buddy helping other young people who have been through a bereavement.