Aside from the obvious feel-good factor from giving your time to a worthy cause, volunteering has a number of key benefits for you career which make it well worth considering.
Not only is it a great way to gain practical experience (something which can be extremely frustrating when lacking from your CV); volunteering can also help you stand out from the crowd and learn practical skills which will make you more desirable for prospective employers.
Here are just a few of the key benefits of volunteering:
YMCA Wirral recruits volunteers all year round, the range of opportunities on offer is wide – volunteering is a great way to hone your career skills in an area that interests you and do something really positive in the community and whilst you won’t get paid (apart from expenses), you will have the opportunity to get involved in activities you may later want to pursue as a career.
As well as helping to equip you with the skills that many companies look for in staff, volunteering as part of a structured volunteer programme can expose you to a range of core workplace activities, including: communication, line management, teamwork and using your initiative.
From administration to gardening, the best way to get a new job is often through experience and the right volunteering opportunity is a rewarding way to achieve this. In fact, in certain sectors, such as health and social care or charities, volunteering may even be considered a pre-requisite.
Give a little, gain a lot
Whilst you’ll want to make a real difference when you volunteer, it’s not just about what you can do for others. Volunteers get a lot out of the experience too. At YMCA Wirral we believe that good volunteering is rewarding for everyone involved. Here are some of the things that volunteering can do for you:
Give your CV a boost – In a recent survey of some of the UK’s leading businesses 73% said they’d employ someone who’s volunteered over someone who hasn’t!
Get back into work – It’s a great way to get a reference and fill gaps in your work experience. You can also try out different types of work to get a taster – which can really help you if you’re looking for a job or want to change direction.
Improve your health – While you’re busy giving back to your community you could also be getting healthier! Studies have found that volunteering can do everything from helping you to sleep better to boosting your immune system.
Meet new people – you will meet people from different cultures and backgrounds that you might not normally. Volunteering with people who are as passionate about our work as you are is a great way to meet like-minded people.
Making a Positive Contribution – Volunteering can help build stronger communities, get involved in your community and feel part of something outside your family or circle of friends.
At YMCA Wirral we run a dedicated Volunteering programme staffed by a Volunteer Co-ordinator – Lesley Lawson. We run a range of community and environmental based voluntary projects – Street Y’s, Garden Y’s and Y Cruise. These projects aim to get people outdoors and doing positive things in the community. Additionally we also operate “in-house” vocational training within the YMCA. Volunteers receive recognition and reward in a number of ways and also receive three awards – Bronze for 25 hours volunteering, Silver for 50 hours and Gold for 100 plus hours. Add these certificates to a range of employability related certificates and participants gain a competitive edge in job applications and employment.
Accredited Training Courses:
Level 1 and Level 2 Food Hygiene Course – 1 Day
Manual Handling Course – ½ Day
Level 1 Introduction to Health and Safety – 1 Day
Customer Service and Customer Care – 1 Day
Basic Motor Vehicle Mechanics and Vehicle Maintenance – 8 weeks – one day per week
Foundation Course in Catering and Hospitality – 8 weeks – one day per week
Boat Maintenance and Marine Training – 1 Day
Basic Horticulture and Plant Care – 4 Half Days
If you would like more information about volunteering opportunities at YMCA Wirral, please contact Lesley Lawson – Lesley@birklenheadymca.co.uk or telephone 0151 650 1015.