JVN Blog

When you decide you want to give your time and volunteer it can sometimes be a challenge to find the charity that you want to help. Sometimes you simply go for one you already know or have heard of, but it can be immensely beneficial to have a think before you start and see if there is a charity that you really think will be the best choice.

Here are 5 steps we recommend you take when choosing your charity:

1)    You care for the cause

This may seem to be an obvious step, but it’s the most important. Volunteering is a self-driven activity; there’s no boss to reprimand you, no salary to incentivise you, and often there is no reprisal for quitting – so caring about the cause you’re working for is the single most important step to choosing the right charity. It may take a long, hard think to really decide what causes are dearest to you, but the contemplation will be worth it in the long run as you’ll know you are helping a charity you really care about.

2)    You’re in the position to help

Volunteering, unlike donating, requires time and often travel. You need to think practically about the volunteering you are going to commit to. Where is it? Can you get there? Can I afford the travel? Can the charity help me travel/cover my expenses?

Nowadays there are lots of ways to volunteer from home or online (see HelpfromHome for ideas), but if you need to travel have a think about how you are going to get there, how long it takes and whether, considering these things, you are in a position to offer your time.

3)    You want a long standing connection with the charity

Hopefully you will enjoy volunteering with the charity you choose and will wish to continue helping it for a long period of time, potentially for the rest of your life. In that case, you want to be involved in a charity that you can see yourself assisting again and again. Have a think if there are ways you can help beyond the immediate volunteering opportunity or project. Charities are always looking to improve their services, so if you think something needs doing, perhaps you can work with their staff to ensure it gets done. Think outside the box!

4)    Make sure you have what the charity needs

It’s important to check that you fulfil the requirements the charity is looking for, whether they are specific experience, skills, or qualifications. Thankfully, many volunteering opportunities don’t require prior experience or skills. However, you may require a DBS check to work with vulnerable groups of people (children, the elderly, disabled people, etc.) or have specific experiences in order to do certain volunteering.

You may have to ask yourself if you are willing to gain the qualifications or experience the charity requires if you really want to volunteer. It may be worth contacting the charity to see if they can help you get the qualification/experience/skills – if you are the right person, there is a good chance they will want to invest in you.

5)    Make sure the charity can give you what you want

Volunteering can be the most life changing and character building activity you do and your time is precious, so make sure the charity you choose offers what you need from them. Do they offer training? Do they pay expenses? Will they give you a reference? Do they have a volunteering post that best uses your time and experience? If not, could you offer to create the position? Remember it is your time and effort, and you should enjoy and grow from the experience. Volunteering is a two-way street and finding the right role for you is just as important as being willing to give your time.

These are just a few of the key points you should consider when finding the right charity and volunteering opportunity for you. At JVN we are committed to matching people with the perfect opportunity for them. If you’d like to register to be a volunteer or have a look at the charities we support visit our website here. Or if you’d like a 1-to-1 discussion about the volunteering opportunities we offer, give us a call on 020 8203 6427 to set up a meeting with a member of our team who will help you explore your options and find the perfect role for you.