Volunteers' Week
Thursday 28 May 2009
Next week is Volunteers’ Week, and we’ve selected some of the best and most fun ways you can take part.
Volunteers’ Week
Between 1 - 7 June you can volunteer for different events and organisations around the UK. By doing so, you'll make a positive difference to the community and highlight the importance of volunteers.
Your efforts won’t go unnoticed either because you'll be able to share your story when you're done.
These students took part in Volunteers' Week last year. Find out how it went for them.
Do your bit
Here are some unusual ways you could volunteer:-
Bog snorkelling
Sure it sounds weird, but bog snorkelling can be quite fun (no - it has nothing to do with toilets). It involves snorkelling through a 60 yard trench in the shortest time possible. You aren’t allowed to swim, but you’ll get to wear flippers which should help you out a bit.
Green Events is a charity that helps improve the community of Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales. It is holding the World Bog Snorkelling Championships on 31st August and it's looking for volunteers to take part. If you’re under 18 years old and want to give it a go, you’ll need to be accompanied by an adult.
Festival season
Buying a ticket isn’t the only way to get in to a festival - organisers are always on the lookout for people who want to volunteer. You won't get to party all the time, but you'll have some time off to hear your favourite artists.
If you're interested, Oxfam has got vacancies for festival stewards, co-ordinator assistants and shop assistants. The jobs can be quite time consuming and could last for up to two weeks, but at least you'll get in to the festival for free! Hurry though, as places are going fast.
You could also visit a festival's website. They usually have a section on volunteering for events.
Parachute jumping
Jumping out of an aircraft at 10,000 feet isn’t for everyone, but there’s no better adrenaline rush. Plus, if you get sponsored you could also make some money for charity.
You’ll get to choose the kind of jump you want to do – from tandem, where you are harnessed to a professional jumper, to a static line, where a parachute opens just after you jump out of the craft.
You can parachute jump with WorldWide Volunteering (WWV), an organisation that encourages young people to volunteer for different projects. Anyone who wants to take part has to be over 16 years old and must weigh no more than 15 stones.
Bungee jumping
Bungee jumping involves leaping from a tall structure whilst you're connected to an elasticised cord. You then free fall until the cord stretches as far as it can and then it pulls you back up. The length of the fall depends on how high the jump is, but it will definitely be before you hit the ground!
You can choose from indoor and outdoor bungee locations in Cambridge, Rotherham, Manchester and many other locations. All jumpers have to be 14 years old or over (14-15 year olds need parental consent).
Working abroad
There are many opportunities to volunteer abroad too. There is a variety of jobs to choose from like working on a farm, building sites, hospitals and working with animals.
Jobs can be quite strenuous at times, and you may find yourself working just to pay off your accommodation and food, but it's likely to be a life changing experience.