take part north east How to ... Become a Volunteer Being a volunteer can open up a whole range of opportunities and experiences It can help you to support a cause you feel passionate about, gain new skills or ‘give something back’ to your community. It can also give the chance to travel, meet new people and improve your life and career skills. Fred Traice (North East resident) Anyone can be a Volunteer! Active Active Learning Learning for for Active Active Citizenship Citizenship How to ... Become a Volunteer What can I do as a volunteer? Can I volunteer if I am on benefits? You can volunteer for almost anything, working with a Yes, you can as long as your voluntary work is unpaid, whole range of organisations in the community offering and you meet the rules of your benefit. To make sure, support, both practical and organisational. You might wish always check with your benefits advisor before you start to work with a specific group such as young people or volunteering. As a volunteer you may receive money to maybe on a broad environmental scheme such as wildlife cover basic expenses this may be: conservation. From fundraising to practical activities there will be the right opportunity for you. • The cost of travel to and from the place you volunteer. First consider why you want volunteer, you hope Being a volunteer cantoopen up a what whole to give andofwhat you hope to gain. should help you range opportunities and This experiences. decide what you would like to do. It can help you to support a cause you • The cost of any special equipment, such as water proof clothes. feel passionate about, gain new skills or • The cost of any meals taken away from ‘give something back’ to your How do I find volunteering opportunities? community. It can also give the chance to travel, meet new improve There are several ways youpeople can findand out about home during the voluntary activity. • The cost of childcare if you have children your life and skills. opportunities. Firstcareer decide how much time you are able to give, and when you can give it e.g. evenings, afternoons, If you are given any other money such as payment in kind weekends. or basic amount for ‘out of pocket’ expenses, then this will affect your benefits. If you are interested in a specific agency, then ring them or write to them and ask if they have any opportunities. And Finally www.do-it.org.uk is a website that will let you browse through many different options available locally, it also will give you the location of your nearest volunteer centre. Contact your local volunteer centre who will be able to For more details about volunteering, www.direct.gov.uk/en/ HomeandCommunity/ Gettinginvolvedinyourcommunity/ Volunteering/DG_10029484 chat with you about possible options. www.vso.org.uk When you have decided on an option, meet up with the www.voluntaryworker.co.uk relevant agency and perhaps arrange a trial period. This way you can find out whether the volunteering experience is the one that you want. The Take Part Pathfinder Programme is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government and managed by the Community Development Foundation. north east ltd www.do-it.org.uk