Why Volunteer?

Why become a volunteer?

Volunteering is an incredibly rewarding experience that should benefit both you and the organisation you are working for, as well as those in the community you are able to help.

For Communities 1st, being a voluntary organisation means that our volunteers make up a vital part of our team. Without the continued support, commitment, knowledge and valuable time they provide, we would find it difficult to continue to make a difference within our community.

Even just offering an hour of your time a week can really make a difference not only to the members of the community that need it, but to us as an organisation. With this support we are able to continue working towards our vision:

‘Strong local communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and make a difference.’

 

So why should you become a volunteer? Well, we at communities 1st encourage anybody who wants to make a difference in their community to give volunteering a go. We welcome new skills, knowledge and experience to our team whenever we can and we hope that you are willing and interested in contributing your skills too.  

Who can become a volunteer?

The simple answer is: anyone!

We offer many opportunities for you to get involved with your community. There is something for everyone no matter what your skills, experience or availability. Even if you work full time, we offer flexible volunteering opportunities for all.

You can explore some of our opportunities and services across our website, but if your having some difficulty in deciding where to start, check out some of the opportunities we have listed below.

What can I expect?

Our volunteers often share with us that they get back just as much as they give and more! Volunteering can help you increase your confidence, find paid work, learn new skills and make new friends.

Volunteers are part of a work team, and in the workplace they have the same rights as employed staff. Though you will not be paid, volunteers can expect:

• Payment of expenses (e.g. travel)
• A description outlining your role and responsibilities
• Training and support

How can I find out more?

We have so many resources throughout our website that we encourage you to explore to see what kind of services we offer to the community with the help of our volunteers. We also host lots of events which we encourage you to take a look at.

If you would like to join our team, you can book a volunteer interview with our volunteer centre team. This is an informal meeting where you can discuss what you want to get out of volunteering and get some advice and guidance on what to do next.

Some of our volunteers interviews are conducted by our own volunteers. If you have any questions, concerns or you are just looking for an insiders point of view, who better to speak to than someone who is already involved in volunteering! They can really help you with your volunteering journey and can offer advice from their own personal experiences with our team.