Volunteering

Whatever your background, work experience, gender or age, you will have a skill that someone needs. No matter how busy you are there will be something that you can do.

Nearly half the adults in the country volunteer. The reasons they give for volunteering include:

• Making a difference and a feeling of satisfaction
• Having fun
• Improving their CV
• Making new friends
• Keeping involved in sport
• Ongoing support to children
• and many more...

Volunteer Centre Swindon

In Swindon there are lots of opportunities to volunteer and there are lots of different ways you can find a role that's right for you. If you know which cause or charity you'd like to support, you can approach them directly by registering on their website. If you're not sure what you want to do or what's available locally, Volunteer Centre Swindon can give you face to face advice or you can find hundreds of ideas on the following website www.swindonvolunteers.org.uk. You can also visit www.swindon.gov.uk which provides useful information about volunteering or contact the Volunteer Centre by phone or by email using the contact information at the bottom of the page.

Local press or magazines such as the Swindon Advertiser or Link Magazine are good sources of information featuring stories about local groups looking for volunteers. You could also pop into your local community or leisure centre and Voluntary Action Swindon and have a look at the notice boards. Voluntary Action Swindon also work closely with Sports Clubs, Residents Associations, Community Groups and other clubs and organisations who are often looking for people to help out, either on a regular or one-off basis.

If you are an organisation who wants to help in any aspect of managing volunteers, the Volunteer Centre will give you help and assistance.

Involve Swindon

Many businesses now also give their employees time off to volunteer so it's worth checking if your employer supports this. Involve Swindon is a local network of businesses, statutory bodies and voluntary organisations that support and promote employee volunteering. You can contact Involve at www.involveswindon.co.uk

Time Banks

Time Banks in Penhill and Taw Hill help local residents provide each other with good neighbour-type assistance on a reciprocal basis. Through the Time Bank you can swap your gardening skills for someone else’s time to shop for you - and make some new friends along the way. Time Bank members deposit an hour in their Time Bank account by doing a good deed for another member, and then withdraw the hour when they need a service in return. Contact Lou at Volunteer Centre Swindon on 01793 420557 or [email protected] or find the Swindon Time Banks on Facebook.

Useful contacts

Volunteer Centre Swindon
Address: 1 John Street, Swindon SN1 1RT
Phone: 01793 420557
Web:www.swindonvolunteers.org.uk
Email: [email protected]

Involve Swindon
Address: 1 John Street, Swindon SN1 1RT
Phone: 01793 420557
Web:www.involveswindon.co.uk
Email: [email protected]