Why be a volunteer?

As you may know, I volunteer a couple of times a month with Suited for Success, an amazing charity providing interview coaching and dressing for disadvantaged unemployed individual. I am also on the volunteer pool for the Cranfield Trust, providing HR support to small charities across the UK.

So, why do I volunteer? For me, I need to use my skills and experience for good, not just for profits (mine or someone else’s!). And it is a fantastic feeling to see someone’s confidence develop before your very eyes when you spend time coaching them for an interview.

But there can be many benefits for you and for the charity you volunteer for:

• you can give something back to a charity or cause that helped you

• you might gain new experiences or skills

• the charity benefits from your contributions, the work you complete is something they won’t need to pay a salary for

• you meet new people and become part of a different community

• you bring a fresh approach to the charity and skills they may not have

• the experience gives you a fresh perspective on your day to day

So, if I’ve convinced you to volunteer, where do you start? Consider which causes are important to you and then get in touch with your local charity or branch for this cause to see what they need. Remember it can be anything from working in a shop, fundraising, raising awareness, and, of course, many of the usual behind the scenes roles such as HR, finance, admin, etc. Plus you can consider being a Trustee.

Whatever cause and role you choose, you’ve nothing to lose and lots to gain, so go be a volunteer!