Want to Volunteer but Not Sure Where to Start? Our New Volunteer Matching Service Can Help

Have you ever thought about volunteering, but then found yourself wondering where to start, what you could do, or whether you have enough time or experience?

You’re certainly not alone.

Finding the right volunteering opportunity can sometimes feel harder than it should. You might look through lists of volunteer roles and wonder which ones would suit you. Perhaps you’re unsure whether your skills are relevant, how much time you could realistically give, or whether an organisation would be able to accommodate your circumstances.

That’s exactly why we’ve introduced our Volunteer Matching Service.

Instead of expecting you to search through opportunities and work everything out for yourself, we start with you. You tell us a little about yourself, what you’re hoping for and what matters to you – and we help find volunteering opportunities that could be a good fit.

You don’t need to know what you want to do

One of the most important things to know about our Volunteer Matching Service is that you don’t need to arrive with a plan.

You don’t need a CV.

You don’t need previous volunteering experience.

And you certainly don’t need to have already worked out which volunteer role is right for you.

All you need is an interest in volunteering.

After completing a short registration form, we’ll arrange a conversation with you. This gives us an opportunity to learn more about what has prompted you to consider volunteering, the things you enjoy, the skills and experience you might bring, when you’re available and what you would like to get from the experience.

Volunteering that works for you

People volunteer for all sorts of reasons.

You might want to meet new people and feel more connected to your community. You might be looking to build confidence, develop new skills or gain experience that could help you towards employment.

Perhaps you have some spare time and simply want to make a difference.

Or you may be looking for something positive and meaningful to add to your week.

Whatever has brought you to volunteering, our conversation is about understanding you as a person rather than trying to fit you into the first available role.

We can also talk openly about anything that could make volunteering more difficult, perhaps transport, costs, confidence, health, caring responsibilities or adjustments you may need. These are useful things for us to understand because they can help us find opportunities that are realistic and enjoyable for you.

We do the searching

Once we understand what you’re looking for, you don’t have to keep checking websites hoping that the right opportunity appears.

As suitable opportunities become available, we can compare them with what you’ve told us and send you those that we think are genuinely worth considering. This can include regular volunteer roles as well as one-off or shorter-term community volunteering projects. Where appropriate, we may also be able to signpost you towards training that could support your volunteering journey.

And if you spot an opportunity yourself that sounds interesting? Just ask us about it.

We can help you understand what the role involves and talk it through with you before you decide whether you would like to apply.

Support doesn’t stop when you find an opportunity

Finding something you’d like to try can be exciting, but making that first approach to an organisation can still feel daunting.

If you would like help with an application or making that initial contact, we can support you with that too.

There’s no expectation that you should already know how volunteering works, and there’s no pressure to accept an opportunity simply because we’ve suggested it.

Every match is an option.

If something doesn’t feel right, you can say so. We keep looking.

If the right opportunity isn’t available immediately, you can remain on our matching register so that we can get back in touch when something suitable comes along.

Volunteering should feel like an opportunity, not another hurdle

We know that taking the first step can sometimes be the hardest part, particularly if you haven’t volunteered before, you’ve been away from work for a while, your circumstances have changed or you’re simply not sure what you have to offer.

That uncertainty doesn’t mean volunteering isn’t for you.

Sometimes, the best place to start is simply with a conversation.

Our Volunteer Matching Service has been designed to make volunteering more personal, more accessible and less daunting. We want to help you discover opportunities where you can contribute in a way that works for you – and hopefully find something you genuinely enjoy being part of.

Ready to see where volunteering could take you?

Your first step is simple.

Register with our Volunteer Matching Service and we’ll get in touch to arrange a conversation at a time that suits you. The registration form only takes a few minutes, and you’ll just need your name, a phone number or email address and your home postcode. There’s no CV, no references and no commitment to take on a volunteer role.

Find out more about our Volunteer Matching Service and how it works or register today to start the conversation.

Prefer to ask us something first? We’d be delighted to hear from you.

Email: volunteer@sdcvs.org.uk

Telephone: 01283 219761

You don’t need to know exactly where you want to go.

You just need to take the first step, and we can help with the rest.