Volunteering: How to get started

Around 3.6 million Australians donate their time each year as volunteers to charities. Volunteering is a wonderful way to help others in need and to give back to the community – something that we at CCI are big believers in. If you've ever wanted to volunteer or it's been a while since you last did, this blog should help you get started.

The benefits of volunteering

Volunteering is very much about giving: the sharing of your skills, time and presence, but through this giving you also receive. Socially, volunteering can help you connect with new people, grow your network, reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and introduce you to new communities, cultures and experiences. On a personal level, it can improve your wellbeing, give you a sense of purpose, and help build your confidence. While professionally, it can teach you new skills and lead to job opportunities.

Research confirms that volunteering has plenty of positives for all involved. The State of Volunteering in Australia 2016 report, which was conducted by Volunteering Australia and PwC, found that:

• 99% of volunteers would continue to volunteer in the future.
• 93% of volunteers saw positive changes as a result of volunteering. This includes feeling appreciated by the community, improving the wellbeing of others, and having an improved sense of their own place in the world.
• 60% of volunteers said their patience skills had improved as a result of volunteering.
• 67% of organisations that work with volunteers found that they bring new insights into the business. Another 64% said volunteers improved efficiency in their organisations.

Factors to consider

From mentoring to food drives to helping with admin and donating time to overseas projects, volunteering can take many different forms. With so many opportunities out there, it's worth sitting down and having a good think about what organisations and what type of volunteer work you're best suited to.

A few things to consider:

How much time do you want to give? Would you like to commit to a day or a few hours a week for a long period or are you more inclined to help with one-off projects, like fundraisers and working bees?

What causes do you care about? If you're not too fussed by the cause, are there any organisations whose work you admire? Being passionate about the cause or organisation you're giving your time to will make it more personally rewarding and encourage you to continue volunteering.

What are your interests and skills? A graphic designer, for example, might design marketing materials for a charity, while someone who loves gardening might help out with the upkeep of a church or shelter's grounds.

How far would you be willing to travel? If you have limited access to transport, then exploring local volunteering options may be best for you. For others, travel may be less important than the type of work or organisation they are volunteering for.

Now what?

Now you have a better idea of what type of volunteering you might like to do, why not see what's out there.

You can do this by:

• Getting in touch with organisations in your local community that may need volunteers. For example, your local church or school may need help with various tasks, such as administration, and maintenance. They can also often put you in touch with people or groups in the church or school community that need support.
• Contacting charities and organisations directly to see if they work with volunteers. Charities will often post call outs for volunteers on social media and their websites.
• Check out volunteering sites like SEEK Volunteer and GoVolunteer, which connect volunteers with organisations that need a helping hand.

Once you find the right volunteering role for you, be sure to ask questions, do any training provided, and learn your rights and responsibilities. Volunteering Australia has a handy checklist that will help. Good luck!