Your views on volunteering
Tuesday 21 February 2006
2005 was the Year of the Volunteer and while the ampaign has ended, the search for volunteers nationwide continues.
Five n2k readers give us their views on volunteering: what they think of it, whether they do it and why.
Work overload
Shazia, 15, had has experience of volunteering: "I used to help out in a charity shop at weekends but had to stop because of my school work."
Shazia wishes she had more time, because she enjoyed helping out. She tells us: "I don't think that people do enough volunteering and that it's a lot of fun once you get started!"
Looking ahead
Peter is 17 and is volunteering with a view to furthering his career prospects. "I'm doing a Duke Of Edinburgh Award scheme, and plan excursions and expeditions for younger disadvantaged people," he says. "It's hard work but will look really good on my CV when I apply for university next year."
Time problem
Kyla, 15, is into the idea of helping out but doesn't think she'd be able to manage it. "A lot of the projects for volunteering take up too much time and I can't fit it in with studying at the same time. If I had more time I might think about it."
Any time will do
Jake, 15 and from London, reckons there's no such thing as being too busy. "You can make time to do a bit of voluntary work. Think of all the hours you spend watching TV!"
Paid up
Although volunteering is usually unpaid work, some people make contributions in other ways.
Mairead, 18 and from London, got her summer sorted. "I spent it with children who need to do outward bound activities," she tells us.
"It's not exactly volunteer work, but I feel as if I'm giving back to my community. I don't think you have to work for free to contribute."
Over to you
How could you give something back to your community? Get in touch on our contact form and tell us what you think.
