Youth Volunteering
There are many ways young people can become involved in volunteering. The Centre for Volunteering can assist young people in finding volunteer opportunities that are right for them.
- What is volunteering?
- Why volunteer?
- Getting involved
- Options for young people
- Share your experience
- Youth volunteer Emily Olive's story
1. What is volunteering?
Volunteering is a choice made by you to make a difference. It is about becoming involved and taking action on issues which are important to you. You can volunteer at any age.Volunteering involves:
- Willingly giving your time skills and enthusiasm to a worthy cause
- Not getting paid
- Supporting a not-for-profit organisation
- Benefiting the community
2. Why volunteer?
Volunteering has benefits for the organisation and for you. These include:- Making new friends
- Meeting like-minded people
- Developing new skills
- Expanding on skills you already have
- Contributing to something you believe in
- New challenges and experiences
- Increasing confidence
- Personal fulfilment
- Positive change to your community
- Looks great on your resume
- It's fun!
3. Getting Involved
Here are some simple steps you can take to get involved in volunteering:- What social issue do you want to work on
- Think about your skills and things you enjoy
- Time you have available
- Where and with whom you would like to volunteer
- Research the organisation
- Contact organisations and ask for the volunteer manager
- Volunteer options – three main options:
- Run your own program
- School based projects/events
- Volunteer with a not-for-profit organisation
- Further help
4. Options for young people
- Youth involving organisations
- Organisation profiles
- Youth Volunteer stories – read Emily Olive's story!
5. Share your experience
Whatever volunteer projects, events or individual experiences have happened during the year, The Centre for Volunteering can promote your volunteer stories.Media and promotion ideas:
- Write an article or case study for The Centre for Volunteering website
- Contact the local newspaper
- Write an article for the school newsletter
- Promote student achievement through the school website
For guides and template for contacting the media download the Speak Out! 2008 Positive images of young people official youth toolkit.
To share your experience email The Centre for Volunteering.
Young volunteer Emily Olive's story
"I would love to make everything equal – no rich, no poor, no religion, no reasons for war." Emily Olive
Emily is very passionate and opinionated about poverty and is doing something about it. Surprisingly she is only 15-years-old and has been volunteering since the age of 12, together with managing her social and school life.
"It's a great feeling to know that I am not living a selfish life, that I'm helping to make the lives of other people better," she says adding that she will volunteer as long as her body will let her.
Throughout her years she has been thrust into some extraordinary scenarios, which are admirable for her age. From shop-keeping to throwing a Christmas party for refugee families in Sydney. To potential volunteers she advises: "Don't let what others think to stop you from doing what you want. If you have it in your heart to help others in need, then go do it. But also leave some time for you. Find something your passionate about. It will make you do it more."
Read The Centre's full interview with Emily Olive in its Volunteer Life e-zine.
Special thanks to volunteers from Ravenswood Schools for Girls for contributing to the development of the youth volunteer section of The Centre for Volunteering's website.