Young people and volunteering

Submitted by colette.bradley... on

This World Youth Skills Day we're sharing an insight into the benefits of volunteering for young people.

From enhancing your skills and career prospects to taking an active part in your local community, volunteering is rewarding in so many ways...oh, and did we mention it's fun too? You'll develop lots of new networks and friends!

Definition of Volunteering

'Volunteering is an activity that involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the environment or individuals or groups other than (or additional to) close relatives.'

Benefits of volunteering for young people

  • Volunteering gives young people the opportunity to better understand their community and take an active part in shaping what’s happening locally
  • It enhances skills and career prospects
  • It adds depth to Personal Statements and CVs, helping with experience prior to applying for further education or employment. Did you know? '67% of employers report that entry level candidates who have voluntary experience demonstrate more employability skills'
  • Volunteering is fun...it helps to develop new networks and friendships
  • It aids personal development, raises aspirations and promotes personal resilience, increasing self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Volunteering enables young people to feel part of their community, more included and with a stake in wider society

Benefits of volunteering for organisations

  • Young people bring enthusiasm, a fresh outlook and innovative solutions
  • Young people can help voluntary organisations do more by increasing the number of volunteers they have available
  • Young people can raise awareness and champion the work of organisations amongst their peers, teachers, parents and the wider community. Diverse young volunteers can help engage effectively with a diverse community across all ages
  • Young volunteers can support meaningful service improvement by improving communication and contributing young people’s voices and experiences
  • Enlisting volunteers from the youth community helps to create a strong future workforce. Opportunities can be linked to apprenticeships, work placements, training and employment
  • It sends out a positive message about your organisation and can bring positive coverage

Meet Abdulrahman

Abdulrahman Mamman, volunteered for Oldham-based charity Making Space which provides health and social care services for adults with mental health conditions, learning disabilities, dementia and their carers.

Abdulrahman, 17 years of age, decided to volunteer because he is hoping to go to university to study medicine. He wanted to volunteer to experience, learn and analyse if the career of his choice was what he wanted as a lifetime career. He attended an open day at college where he made an appointment with one of our Volunteering Team Project Support Officers.

Abdulrahman was referred to Making Space, where he now volunteers three sessions a week, getting involved in quizzes, music and dance. He volunteers to gain experience in a number of life and transferable skills. The activities delivered are for those individuals suffering from mental illness, dementia, multiple sclerosis and Parkinsons disease, where the activities stimulate their mind and body. He volunteers to make a positive impact within the community, especially with older people as they are very isolated and in Abdulrahman’s own words he said: “I really enjoy bringing joy to their lives.”

Volunteering has helped him to feel healthier, physically and mentally. He has learnt lots of new skills, gained confidence, improved understanding of different medical issues and barriers which has opened up other doors for him. He is starting volunteering at Oldham Hospital in the Acute Medical Unit. He added:

“It’s about gaining many skills for myself and making other people happy. Volunteering gave me the ability to try new activities, get active and be more informed. The biggest impact was applying for experience in a hospital, getting an interview and taking up the volunteer role at Oldham Hospital. Once again, through Action Together’s Volunteering Team, I am applying for a third volunteer opportunity working with children and young people so that I have experience in working with a wide spectrum of individuals. I love helping and supporting people from all walks of life and have realised a career in medicine could definitely be for me.” 

What are the volunteering roles available for young people?

In some cases there are certain legal and time limitations/commitments faced by prospective young volunteers. There are however, lots of flexible opportunities which may be a good starting point to find your dream volunteering role. You could consider: 

Events and Fundraising  |  After School Clubs  |  Youth Forums and Discussion Groups  |  Micro Volunteering  |  Churches, Mosques and Faith Groups  |  Sports Clubs  |  Foodbanks  |  Care Homes  |  Youth Clubs  |  Arts, Crafts and Creative Groups  |  Conservation and Gardening  |  Charity Shops  |  Music and Drama  |  Cadets  |  Community Centres  |  Health Awareness 

Where, and how, can you get involved?

If you would like some help finding a volunteer role we'd love to help, just get in touch with our Volunteering Team on: 0161 339 2345 or email: volunteering@actiontogther.org.uk

Here are some additional resources from a variety of organisations which you may find useful to get you started on your journey into volunteering too:

You can also contact National Charities which have specifically designed Youth Programmes, take a look at these suggestions: 

You can also join your local Cadets: