West Berkshire & North Hampshire

In a time when nobody wants to do anything for free, volunteering can be a wonderful thing. For example, you could help out in a charity shop or give up an hour of your time to talk to a lonely elderly neighbour. Each of these, along with a multitude of other activities, not only helps the community but can bring you a wonderful sense of achievement and well being.

Now of course it’s not just about working in a charity shop. There are hundreds of other volunteering opportunities out there; you just have to find them.

You can volunteer down at your local theatre as someone taking tickets on the box office, showing people to their seats, or working backstage with the stage manager. In a time where cuts are biting down hard on the arts, volunteering has never been more needed.

Even schools depend on volunteers and helpers to get them through tough times as the recession bites deep into budgets available. Bear in mind that you may have to have a CRB check done if you are to be working with children.

Volunteering benefits you as person which will make you stand out from the rest. Putting down volunteer work on your CV shows that you are willing to go the extra distance, applying your skills to a position not for money, but because you want to help. Along the way you’ll meet fantastic people who are just like you and want to help others.

Not only this but it shows to a potential employer that you are a trustworthy individual who can be relied upon to manage and solve a situation. Something like this will sit you head and shoulders above the competition, no matter what job you apply for.

All the way through life, no matter what career you are interested in; you will be developing and attaining new skills and be making a difference to those around you.

You can find out more information about volunteering at your local community centres, job centres and online.