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Become a Volunteer

What is volunteering?

Volunteering is any activity or service that involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that benefits someone else, the local community or the environment.

Who can Volunteer?

Anyone can volunteer, regardless of age, experience, background, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability or refugee status.

Steps to take to become a volunteer:

Step 1: Think “Why do I want to volunteer?”
It may be:

  • to develop skills and experience and improve your CV
  • to build up your confidence
  • to fill time
  • to make friends

The list is endless!

Step 2: Think “What do I want to do?”
There are so many things you can get involved in, so don’t think ‘Oh I’ll do anything’.  Volunteering works best when you decide on something specific you want to do.  You could think about an issue you are passionate about, or a hobby or interest. Some volunteering may need you to make a commitment to a fixed time and day.  Other types of volunteering are more flexible when you fix the time and day as you go along. It all depends what fits in best with your life.  Consider what kind of volunteering interests you: there are so many different kinds of volunteering opportunities available!

  • administration
  • outdoor and environmental
  • groups that support people with learning disabilities, mental health problems or physical disabilities
  • alcohol and drugs services
  • young people
  • young families
  • older people
  • mentoring schemes
  • befriending
  • helplines

Step 3: The fact you are looking at this web site shows you are interested in volunteering. You have something to offer. Get in touch with the Volunteer Centre NOW!

You can ring the Volunteer Centre Bolton on 01204 546060.

Our opening hours are Monday to Friday from 9.30am - 12.30pm and 1.30pm - 4.30pm

You can come along to a 'why volunteer' workshop.  The workshop lasts for one hour and covers topics such as volunteer choice, rights and responsibilities.  It then moves onto looking at why individuals want to volunteer and then takes you through the process of how to get into volunteering. 

We also have opportunities available to have a one to one interview where we  will sit down with you and discuss opportunities available to you. The meeting will be in private and will be confidential.

We can also discuss your needs over the telephone, at the Hub or we can do it all by email; whichever is best for you. Also read our Step by Step Guide to Volunteering. 

You can also visit www.do-it.org.uk and search the National Opportunities Database and register online.