What opportunities are there?

There are opportunities for everyone and you should be able to find something to match your interests, for example; sport, art, finance, mental health, research, teaching, campaigning or legal aid and justice, to name but a few. Some agencies have opportunities in a variety of sectors whereas others are more specific. In either case volunteers can be accommodated and you need to choose which project will allow you to make a difference.

The voluntary field is also known as the third sector and working for a not for profit organisation can be a very rewarding career choice. Charity work offers a chance to be employed in a vibrant, growing sector with a steady increase of jobs available each year. When looking for opportunities you could investigate locally, nationally or look further and consider volunteering abroad. When considering the long term there are graduate positions available and paid roles as charities are keen to recruit strong, passionate candidates.

Volunteering opportunities advertised to The Careers Centre in the last two weeks

Clicking on a job title link below will take you to the TARGET Connect login screen where you can view further details and apply for the job. There will be further opportunities to view in TARGET Connect, as those shown below are just those added in the last two weeks.

Volunteers required for Psychology research

Company: School of Psychology & Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading.
Date Advertised: 06 June 2013
Be a University Research Volunteer and get £10 Amazon Voucher! How well do you know yourself - a self voice and face study? We are looking for right handed caucasian volunteers between 18 and 40 years old to participate in a 2-part Social Psychology study.

Caversham Festival Volunteers

Company: Readipop.
Date Advertised: 13 June 2013
We're looking for volunteers for this year's Caversham Festival! The Festival is taking place on 13th and 14th July, with opportunities to volunteer on both days as well as the week beforehand. You can volunteer for as much or as little of the weekend as you have available (as long as it's a [...] View full details.

National Events Fundraising Intern

Company: Breast Cancer Campaign.
Date Advertised: 17 June 2013
Breast Cancer Campaign is in the midst of the most exciting period in its history; launching Europe’s first breast cancer tissue bank and developing the organisation’s stature and capability. In fundraising, we have a long history of successful corporate partnerships, events and community support [...] View full details.

Voluntary Internship

Company: National Trust.
Date Advertised: 14 June 2013
A chance to learn specialist skills from experts at some of the most unusual and treasured places and spaces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland? That’ll be our internship programme. We offer voluntary internships across the country including Heelis, our central office in Swindon. You can choose [...] View full details.

Youth Club Volunteers

Company: Adviza.
Date Advertised: 14 June 2013
Various part time evening hoursAt Youth Clubs across Reading & TilehurstDo you have the passion and commitment to help young people? Are you flexible, adaptable to change and open to new and innovative ways of working? Adviza is a large, vibrant and innovative youth charity working with young [...] View full details.

Volunteer Research Assistant

Company: Windsor Leadership Trust.
Date Advertised: 17 June 2013
Working with the Trust's small team in Windsor, you will play a key role in helping to secure the future of the charity, by researching and identifying information about private and public sector organisations that may be interested in nominating their leaders for our inspiring leadership [...] View full details.

Part Time Temporary Assistant (Marketing/PR)

Company: Colostomy Association.
Date Advertised: 06 June 2013
Reporting to: Editor/Communications & PR Manager Salary: voluntary, although some expenses paid Hours: 14 hours+ per week (flexible) Based at: Enterprise House, 95 London Street, Reading, RG1 4QA Job purpose: to assist with marketing/PR and administration Key responsibilities and [...] View full details.

Places to look for national voluntary work

• www.csv.org.uk is one of the largest volunteering providers, whose vision is to enrich lives and tackle real need. They place over 150 000 volunteers each year in top quality community projects
• www.volunteering.org.uk a network of organisations across England
• http://jobs.thirdsector.co.uk/ charity jobs across England, including paid and graduate work
• http://vinspired.com/ connects 16 – 25 year olds with volunteering opportunities across England
• www.do-it.org.uk/ a search engine of roles covering voluntary sectors

Local volunteering work around Reading

• www.reading.ac.uk/redaward The Reading Experience and Development (RED) Award is a new university scheme that rewards students for undertaking extra-curricular activities as well as helping students get the most out of their experiences in terms of their professional and personal development.
• www.volunteercentrereading.org The Volunteer Centre Reading
• www.sportreading.co.uk has information about working with sports groups in Reading.
• www.rvadirectory.org.uk Reading Voluntary Action is a directory of charity work available in Reading.
• www.reading.ac.uk/studentrecruitment/StudentTutoring/sr-studenttutoringinschools.aspx This is the University’s Community Service Volunteers "Learning Together" programme for tutoring in local schools.
• www.connectreading.co.uk is a link between businesses, voluntary organisations and charities who work towards addressing areas of need in Reading.

International volunteer programmes

You could volunteer abroad or combine it with travelling, the possibilities are endless once you research the roles out there. There are opportunities to teach, undertake conservation work, construction, cultural exchanges or work with animals. Sometimes organisations tailor their voluntary work to people taking a year out whilst others offer involvement for people who do not have that amount of time or who just want to work for a season. Terms and conditions vary as some organisations will charge including travel expenses and others will ask for a joining fee. Be thorough when exploring the possibilities.

• www.travellersworldwide.com offer voluntary placements in less advantaged countries
• www.ecoteer.com an agency for volunteering abroad opportunities
• www.vso.org.uk an independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries
• www.originalvolunteers.co.uk offer volunteering holidays and experiences abroad

You could also visit the The Careers Centre resource area or speak to your Placement and Development Officer to find out more.