Registered Charity No. 1097376 Company Ltd by Guarantee.
Registered in England No. 4689779
» Accessibility Statement
VAEF - on the edge of the forest, at the heart of the community.
Promoting, developing and supporting the voluntary sector
Volunteer Centre
Topics covered in this section:
» What do we do?
» Why volunteer?
» What could you do?
» How much time will it take?
» Do you need special skills?
» Where could you volunteer?
» What next?
An accredited member of Volunteering England.
What do we do?
The Volunteer Centre Epping Forest and Volunteer Centre Harlow are part of a nationwide network of independent agencies that act as ‘matchmakers’ for charities and non-profit-making groups seeking volunteers. We match the interests, skills and time of local people with the needs of groups operating in the Epping Forest District and Harlow area. We also encourage and support organisations to operate good practice in volunteer management. We achieved the nationally recognised VCQA accreditation in 2007 and are currently awaiting the results of our recent submission collaborating to gain County level accredititation. We are active members of Essex Association of Volunteer Centres whose remit is to promote the Volunteer Centre network across Essex.
Our aim is to encourage people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to volunteer. We actively promote volunteering to the public and have staff dedicated to helping people to find suitable placements. Our Volunteer Centre Co-ordinator helps those over 25s who would like to volunteer.
By keeping a register of volunteer organisations, we offer easy access to a wide choice of volunteering. If we do not have what someone is looking for, we will research opportunities for them. Most of our opportunities are listed on www.do-it.org.uk which is updated regularly. We also organise one-off volunteering events and co-ordinate Employer Supported Volunteering events. Our service is completely free to anyone who would like to volunteer.
Why volunteer?
Helping others is fun and rewarding. Whether you want to do something similar to your studies, work or hobbies, or try something completely different, there's a volunteering opportunity out there to suit you. We're here to help you find it.
Volunteering gives you the chance to:
- Make new friends and contacts
- Get out and about having fun
- Build self-confidence
- Gain a sense of achievement
- Develop existing skills and learn new ones; training is offered to volunteers by several volunteer involving organisations
- Improve your job prospects; volunteering looks great on your CV
- Make a career change
- Have a more fulfilling retirement
- Make a real difference to your community and to the lives of others
What could you do?
We're likely to know about types of volunteering you may never have thought of. With over 200 changing opportunities on our books, the choice is huge. For example, you could:
- Train to skipper a canal boat
- Drive someone with mobility problems to their social club or doctors appointment
- Help mow the lawn and do a bit of pruning for those no longer able to look after their own garden
- Befriend an elderly person who doesn't get many visitors
- Help teach children about nature at a local field studies centre
- Become a Magistrate, Trustee or Special Constable
- Organise a quiz night or cake sale for a local cause
- Care for cats in need of rehousing
- Work at a local nature reserve, ensuring the conservation of native species
How much time will it take?
As much or as little as you like. It's usually reasonable to commit to at least 2 hours per session although some organisations ask for a minimum of 4 hours. However you are in charge when it comes to how many hours you want to volunteer and how frequently.
The most important thing is that you don't over commit yourself. Think carefully about how much time you can devote to volunteering.
Do you need special skills?
Some volunteer opportunities require particular experience but most just need skills gained in everyday life and a willingness to learn. A few offer specialist training e.g. to become a Citizen's Advice Bureau Advisor, job coach or telephone support worker.
Where could you volunteer?
Volunteers do it everywhere! For example in:
- Hospitals
- Nurseries
- Support groups
- Sport centres
- Animal sanctuaries
- Charity offices
- Lunch and drop-in clubs
- Advice centres
- Charity shops
- From home
What next?
If your organisation needs help with volunteers, read the Assistance For Organisations section. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer and:
- Are aged 26 plus, please read the How To Volunteer section.
- Might need extra help with volunteering, please read the Volunteer Learning Disabilities section.
- For those with Learning Disabilities, that would like more information on Accessing the Arts, click here
If you would like to find out our latest volunteering news, click here.
Volunteering England's Volunteer Management Portal acts as a gateway to the world of volunteer management with links to over a thousand resources and information on support, training and development opportunities for people managing volunteers.
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