Time. It’s underrated, but as a commodity, it’s our most precious supply – and just like any commodity, it can make all the difference to those who need it most.
We loved our volunteering time at Mayfield Nurseries recently, organised by our charity partner, Solent Mind (you can read more about it here) but we also like to make sure we are supporting our local communities in every way we can.
This Bank Holiday Monday has been given as extra time off, in the hope it will be given to community projects that really matter. Of course, this doesn’t have to be a one-off, the hope is that people may enjoy volunteering enough that they want to do it more frequently.
So here’s three tips from us for any first-timers out there willing to give it a go!
1. Choose something you enjoy
Do you love animals? Are you a keen gardener? Like to run? There are jobs out there for everyone and a great place to start might be your local community notice board – we have them up in our Welcome Stores – or check out your local social media pages.
You could also ask around your neighbours or put a post in a Facebook group or Nextdoor online notice board, to see if anyone can recommend someone who is looking for someone just like you!
2. Use it as a chance to upskill
If you’re feeling brave, why not try something new and learn something new? You might pick up a handy crafting skill, improve IT knowledge or customer service, which you can then add to your CV or use to improve your existing job skills.
3. Bring your friends – and find new ones!
Many volunteers have said they get a great sense of belonging from their volunteering projects and tend to make some great new friends. Not only is it a great way to broaden your social circle, you can find like-minded others who might be interested in pursuing other interests with you – even if that’s a coffee and a nice walk out in the countryside somewhere!
We hope you have a great Bank Holiday, whatever you choose to do! Don’t forget to send us your pics and tag us on our social media pages – and make sure you pop us a follow while you’re there!