Have You Got The Time Or Skills to Be A Volunteer?

Do you find yourself thinking "I have a skill or knowledge that is going to waste", or "My week is boring and I'd like to do something different", or "I'm sick of my own company", or "I want to do something occasionally to help others"? Do you find yourself not doing anything about it because you don't know who to ask, or in which direction to go, or simply because it would put you out of your comfort zone?

Volunteering is a two-way benefit. Whilst you are volunteering your time, skill and energy, I am yet to see a volunteer who is not receiving something beneficial in return. 

There are so many opportunities out there.

In fact, there are so many businesses and organisations that rely on volunteers. Without the work of these volunteers, many services would not be offered or would cost so much more.

In Australia, there is a great Volunteer website that looks at your interests, where you are, how much time you have and your skills and gives you a list of where and how you could be useful. (See below for some international websites.)

I have been volunteering with the State Emergency Service in Tasmania for 15 years, on a minimal level, and also try to do Clean Up Australia each year, so I am familiar with the concept of volunteering ..... but I was shocked at the huge array of opportunities available in you are looking for something to do.

My husband is also a long-term volunteer.

Through volunteering we have both had the opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills and gain experience in valuable areas. Mostly, we feel we are contributing and making a difference.

There is no time like the present to look into becoming a volunteer in your area.

Volunteer in Australia         http://volunteer.com.au/

Volunteer in UK                 http://www.volunteering.org.uk/

Volunteer in Canada           http://volunteer.ca/ 

Volunteer in America          http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/

Volunteer in New Zealand   http://www.volunteeringnz.org.nz/

If your country is not listed, the websites are usually easy to find by searching on the Internet.