Volunteering

As well as benefitting others, volunteering can improve your:

• personal and sociall skills
• career prospects
• work skills
• social life

What's on offer?

Anything from conservation and archaeological work to educational and social care opportunities. Your school or college may also take part in voluntary projects and activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Information on your local DofE team is available here.

Opportunities if you're not in education, employment or training

There are often opportunities for you to get involved in voluntary projects to support you back into work. Young Gloucestershire often have schemes which involve a short term commitment from you and offer qualifications, experience and confidence building. Visit their website for more info.

Higher education and volunteering

• For some courses at higher education level it's important to have relevant work experience. Examples include veterinary schools (you'd need evidence of handling animals, including livestock) and medical schools (nursing or residential care experience are both useful)

Gap Year and volunteering 

• Some students who take a 'gap' year (time taken off after further education and before beginning higher education) choose to spend their time volunteering - often overseas. It can be expensive to organise this. The Year Out Group have some useful advice
• Year long paid work placements are available in business, science and engineering
• Click here for information on inexpensive, reputable gap year providers

Sometimes there are restrictions  - such as to do with the minimum age, experience required, how long you can spend in a particular country and so on.

Note: You might be able to use the phone at your local Youth Support Service (YSS) centre - drop in to find out.