Volunteering

Volunteering can be a very rewarding way to gain and develop new skills and interests. Through volunteering you will make new friends and have lots of fun.

There's a wide range of volunteering opportunities available. This could be in Cumbria or further afield in the UK, Europe or anywhere in the world.

Volunteering is not just for gap year students - anybody can volunteer!

You can:

• Volunteer for a few hours on a one-off activity
• Commit to a regular session
• Sign up to a volunteer placement scheme that requires a longer-term commitment but which could provide valuable work and training experiences
• You can even get your volunteering activities recognised with a certificate or nationally recognised qualification

Some volunteer programmes provide essential expenses and may help with your travel costs.

Volunteers are required from all walks of life. There's opportunities to volunteer in sport, the arts, conservation, care, the environment, working with children and young people, catering and many more.

Volunteers contribute and enrich the world we live in. It can make a difference in your community.

Groups and organisations like young people to get involved in volunteering because you bring new ideas and energy to the organisation.

Volunteering - give it a go! You've nothing to lose and lots to gain.

For more information contact:

Kath Calvert, Cumbria County Council Children's Services on 01768 242071 kath.calvert@cumbriacc.gov.uk or Terry Lampitt, Cumbria Youth Alliance on 01229 870150 terry@cya.org.uk