How to choose the right charity to volunteer for
So you’ve made the big decision and have decided to become a volunteer. Congratulations! But… you’re now faced with the overwhelming decision of which charity. It’s a big decision to make and not to be taken lightly.
According to data from NCVO (UK Civil Society Almanac) there are just over 161,000 voluntary organisations. This data doesn’t include those that haven’t submitted annual returns in the last 3 years; there will be considerably many lesser-known charities.
So where do you start? With so many charities to pick from (and not enough volunteers for each of them) how can you identify which is the right fit for you?
Why do you want to volunteer?
This may sound like an obvious question but it can help you choose the right charity.
If you’re looking for a project or a way to meet like-minded individuals and love the idea of travelling (as well as having time on your side!) then volunteering abroad could be the perfect opportunity for you. It’s a great way to learn new skills as well as making new friends and can often have a lasting effect on the organisation that you’re working with.
For more details of volunteering projects abroad check out the below links:
Perhaps the most common way to choose which charity to volunteer for is to return the support you or someone close to you has received from a charity.
A lot of people feel a little humbled when receiving such support, but don’t know how to repay it or show their gratitude. Opting to volunteer for a charity that means something to you on a personal level can be a great way to be able to give back and can be very rewarding.
Perhaps you really want to make a difference? In which case you should consider volunteering for one of the lesser-known charities. They often need the most help and struggle to get volunteers, so volunteering can be a great way to add a lot of value to the charity and help them to help others. It can also be a great opportunity to get more involved in planning and organising, or learning new skills that could help further your career.
There has been such a large increase in the number of charities out there that it can be pretty overwhelming trying to figure out which ones to put on your shortlist! Fortunately, in response to this, we’re also seeing a rise in organisations that specialise in helping people find volunteering positions that match your skillset and expertise with local charities.
Below is a small selection to get you started:
Volunteering England a great resource site that also helps increase awareness and benefits of volunteering
Reach helps find part-time voluntary work for business and professional people by matching placements based on their skills and experience.
Vinspired is a charity that connects young people (18-25) with volunteering opportunities.
Timebank is a charity that works by utilising people’s skills to tackle social problems.
Volunteer Match is a useful site to find volunteer listings in your local community.
Volunteering is also a great way to work for and support your religious charity. Here at JVN we work across the voluntary, public and private sectors to raise the profile of volunteering within the Jewish community.
Our highly developed website helps volunteers find suitable opportunities and our telephone helpline offers a bespoke matching service for specific projects.
Whether you choose to give one hour a week to a local organisation, one month contributing to a national campaign, or go volunteering abroad, JVN matches volunteers with the right opportunities to fit their interests and skills.
Whichever charity you choose to volunteer for you will be making a difference and as little as a couple of hours can be life-changing for someone. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping people.
For more information on volunteering and for volunteering opportunities subscribe to our Blog and visit JVN website.
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