Volunteering provides benefits to both individuals and organizations. It involves unpaid time spent doing activities that aim to benefit the environment, community members, or groups other than close relatives. To be considered volunteering, the activity must be freely chosen and mutually beneficial. For individuals, volunteering can improve health and well-being, build confidence and skills, and help them feel like they are making a difference. A wide range of formal and informal volunteer roles are available in areas like day centers, charity shops, and nature reserves. Local volunteer centers can help match individuals with opportunities that interest them.

1. VOLUNTEERING
W H AT ’ S I N I T F O R M E ?

2. WHAT IS A VOLUNTEER?
A person who, unpaid and of their own free will,
contributes their time, energy and skills to benefit a
not-for-profit organisation, the community or local
people, whom they are not related to.
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3. WHAT IS VOLUNTEERING?
We define volunteering as any activity that involves spending time, unpaid,
doing something that aims to benefit the environment or someone (individuals or
groups) other than, or in addition to, close relatives.
Central to this definition is the fact that volunteering must be a choice freely
made by each individual.
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4. VOLUNTEERING HAS TO BE:
• Mutually beneficial [to both the individual and the organisation]
• Independently chosen and freely given
• Enabling and flexible wherever possible
• Of a community or social benefit
• Offered to not-for-profit activities
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If it isn’t all of the above it’s not volunteering!

5. VOLUNTEERING –
WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?
• Fitter
• Happier
• Feel less isolated or alone
• Raise self-esteem
• Building confidence
• Opportunity to socialise and meet new people
• Feel like you are making a real difference in your community
• Enjoyment and personal satisfaction
• A chance to learn and use new skills
• Being valued and appreciated
• Having fun!
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6. • There are all sorts of roles you can do as a volunteer.
• Some roles may be more formal e.g. helping at a regular day each week.
• Or there are informal things you can do in your local community.
• Visit www.volunteeringcounts.org.uk/Inyourarea to see what’s currently
available.
WHAT VOLUNTEERING ROLES
ARE OUT THERE?
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7. WHERE COULD I VOLUNTEER?
WHAT SORT OF THINGS COULD I DO?
Volunteering can be formal or informal.
• Formal volunteering is usually done with a not-for-profit organisation and could
be regular days and times. Usually there would be paperwork involved e.g.
references, police checks etc.
• Informal volunteering is where people from local communities tackle
something that needs doing e.g. finding a few mates to do some litter-picking
on a park, doing some shopping or offering to cut grass for elderly neighbours
who can’t do it themselves, maybe setting up a social group for people in a
particular area who are lonely or isolated, the list is endless!
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8. WHAT CAN I OFFER?
how many of these skills have you got?
• Like talking to people
• Problem solving
• Networking
• Using your initiative
• Adaptability
• Flexibility
• Organised
• Reliable
• Fundraising
• Computer skills
• Communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Team working
• Customer service
• Helping to put on events

9. “VOLUNTEERING CHANGED MY LIFE”
• Feeling his career prospects were limited after losing his job in his late fifties,
David fell into a depression and turned to drink. With the support of his family
however David began to get well but realised he needed something to
occupy his time
• He visited the Volunteer Centre and chose to spend a day a week helping out
in a day centre, where he was encouraged to study for an NVQ in Health &
Social Care.
• As David began to learn new skills his confidence soared and he felt ready to
apply for jobs in a completely different field.
• David said “It’s a real privilege to care for people, particularly those who are
most vulnerable. I realised that I had found my niche and couldn’t believe that
volunteering had let me to a career with such tremendous job satisfaction.”
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10. “VOLUNTEERING OPENED UP A WHOLE
NEW WORLD FOR ME”
• After leaving school Naomi spent several years suffering from ill health,
spending spells in hospital. Having recovered she was keen to get into work,
but needed to do so gradually and at her own pace. She visited the Volunteer
Centre and was put in touch with staff at The Pavilion - a day centre for older
people.
• Naomi started initially volunteering one day a week, then building up to 2 days,
helping out with refreshments, chatting to service users and helping them as
needed. She was encouraged to gain new skills and attended a number of
training courses, developing her skills.
• Naomi said “ Volunteering opened up a whole new world for me. As well as
helping me to find a new career, it initially got me out of the house, meeting
people, increased my confidence and gave me a purpose in life.”
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11. OTHER SUCCESS STORIES
• A number of Charity Shops in Stourbridge have volunteers with
learning disabilities, who help to sort the stock, keep the place
tidy and assist customers.
• A local nature reserve has a volunteer who helps with gardening
and keeping the area tidy. He has been there for 20 years and
loves his role.
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12. WHERE CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT
VOLUNTEERING?
Your local Volunteer Centre
– ℡ 01384 573381 for Dudley Borough
– Twitter: @DudleyVols
– Facebook: dudley.volunteer.centre
– www.volunteeringcounts.org.uk
Search for volunteering opportunities in your area at
– www.volunteeringcounts.org.uk and click on the IN YOUR AREA tab
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