Choosing a volunteering role Step 3: Consider your Lifestyle

In this series, we have been sharing our top tips for finding the volunteer role that is right for you. Check out our previous articles for step one (identify your goals) and step two (prioritise your interests).

Our third step is considering your lifestyle.

Volunteering can be really rewarding, but it (usually) requires a level of commitment and effort. This is why it is important that any role you choose aligns with your lifestyle. 

Think about:

·         Your schedule and level of free time

·         Your mental and emotional energy

·         Convenient locations

·         How volunteering can fit into any commitments you have, like work or childcare

For this step, it is important to be honest with yourself!

For example, if you dislike long journeys on public transport, it will be important to try and find an opportunity as local as possible.

If you have childcare responsibilities in the evening, why not focus your search on roles taking place during the school day, for example at a community centre or food bank?

If you have limited free time, or do shift work and have an irregular schedule, and role you are interested in requires you to be available for several hours at a certain time each week - please ask the organisation if you are able to attend flexibly, for example every other week instead.

Or - why not explore opportunities that you can do on an ad hoc basis, for instance, one off events, community gardening days, or roles with options to sign up for specific sessions as is convenient.