Have you ever thought about volunteering?

Volunteering is all about new experiences, feeling good and making a difference. It has huge benefits for individuals and communities.

Volunteering can help with:            

•Gaining practical experience	•Feeling physically healthier
•Developing transferable skills and knowledge	•Adding value to your community
•Increasing self-confidence and self-esteem	•Making friends and having fun
•Reducing loneliness and isolation	•Increasing employability

There’s lots of ways to get involved in volunteering:

Formal: Volunteering as part of an established scheme, club or organisation e.g. volunteering for a helpline, becoming a charity trustee or a befriender

Informal / Semi-Formal: Volunteering with others in a regular / organised way e.g. providing food to those in need, organising a local event, baking for a school fair

Neighbourliness / Kindness: Volunteering as an individual e.g. helping a neighbour with their bins or shopping

To help you make your choice about what type of volunteering is right for you, think about:

What skills do you have or would like to develop?

Where do your interest lie?

How much spare time do you have?

The next thing is to have a look – East Ayrshire has lots of volunteering opportunities.

For further information about volunteering in East Ayrshire please contact: vibrantcommunities@east-ayrshire.gov.uk