How volunteering can transform your life and community for the better and how you can get started

By Hannah Vuozzo, Communications Manager

Do you want to use your skills to support your community? Make new friends? Get a behind-the-scenes look at an organisation?

There’s more than one way to do all three of things (and more), including volunteering.

As it happens, the recent Third Sector Fair and Volunteering & Social Justice Festival inspired me to apply to be a volunteer for the Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) .

Maybe you’re not sure how volunteering could benefit you. Maybe you’ve considered volunteering but don’t know where to start. Maybe you have (legitimate) concerns about doing unpaid work, especially amid a cost-of-living crisis.

Let’s explore the benefits of volunteering, types of roles that may be available to suit your circumstances and how to get started.

Benefits of volunteering

Volunteering offers tons of personal and professional benefits to you and the communities you support.

Engage with your community

Volunteering provides a meaningful way to engage with your community and contribute to causes that align with your personal values. Making a real difference in the lives of others can give you a heightened sense of purpose.

The reason I applied to the GFF to begin with was because the festival made me feel part of the local community when I moved to Glasgow. I wanted to give other people that experience.

Support your health

We’re hardwired to help others, according to Dr Eva Ritvo’s article “The Neuroscience of Giving” . It literally changes our brain chemistry for the better by releasing “warm and fuzzy” neurotransmitters.

Develop your skills

Volunteering offers hands-on opportunities to learn and grow in various areas, building your skills in things like leadership, communication, teamwork, problem-solving and much more. These skills can boost your CV and enrich your personal development.

Connect with others

Volunteers rarely work in isolation, so you’d likely meet new people from diverse backgrounds with a shared commitment to creating positive change.

At the induction for my role with the GFF, I struck up a conversation with a woman beside me, and we went for a coffee afterwards to get to know each other.

Types of volunteering roles

You can volunteer in tons of ways. Within charities and third sector organisations, in particular, there are a range of roles to match different skills, interests and availability.

Direct service

This type of role is often what first comes to mind when thinking about volunteering. It involves providing direct support to people. It might be managing queues at an event, giving out meals at a food bank, tutoring children or offering companionship to the elderly.

These roles can be on a one-off basis.

My role with the GFF is one-off because it’s for this event only. I’ll volunteer for about five hours over a few shifts which suits me because I have other interests and commitments.

Administrative support

Administrative volunteers help organisations run smoothly behind-the-scenes. This may be managing databases, coordinating events, handling communications and/or supporting fundraising.

Advocacy and outreach

If you’re passionate about driving systemic change and raising awareness, you may lean towards advocacy and outreach roles. You may assist in lobbying policymakers, organising grassroots campaigns and/or leveraging social media platforms.

Like with direct service, these roles can be on a one-off basis.

Over the last few years, I’ve been a vocal advocate for migrant workers’ rights. I’ve participated in research, spoken to MPs at a roundtable event and even been invited to share my views in the press. These informal volunteer opportunities have been some of the most enriching because they’ve connected with my values.

Specialist

Many organisations look for specialist volunteers who can help address specific challenges. This may be lending expertise in law, finance, medicine, technology, marketing, etc, perhaps as trustees (aka management or executive committee members).

“Trustees are there to lead, control and supervise the organisation’s activities” according to the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).

Although these roles may require certain knowledge and skills, they’re usually not restricted to those who’re more advanced in their careers. Often, charities actively seek a diverse group of trustees.

Things to keep in mind

You should be selective about which volunteering opportunities you pursue to ensure your time and energy aren’t taken advantage of.

Charities and third sector organisations typically have policies and procedures focused on establishing a mutually beneficial partnership with you.

Here are some good ways to approach a volunteering role:

• Clarify expectations: Clearly define your role, responsibilities and time commitments upfront. Ensure you're given adequate training and have a point of contact. An organisation may offer a volunteer agreement that outlines what you can expect from each other.
• Research the organisation: Thoroughly research the organisation's reputation, mission and impact to ensure alignment with personal values and verify its legitimacy.
• Ask questions: Don't hesitate to ask questions about volunteer policies, support structures and opportunities for growth.
• Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries regarding your workload, availability and personal well-being. Avoid taking on tasks beyond your capacity or sacrificing too much of your personal time.
• Communicate: Communicate regularly with your supervisor(s). If you have concerns, address them promptly and assertively.
• Know your rights: Familiarise yourself with volunteer rights and protections to advocate for fair treatment and recourse if necessary.

How to get started

There are loads of places to look for volunteering roles. I suggest starting with:

• Goodmoves : a jobs board for Scotland’s charity and/or third sector, including volunteering roles
• SRC Volunteering : a SRC-operated service to find volunteering roles in and around Glasgow
• Glasgow Careers : our careers platform on which you can browse volunteering roles
• Reach Volunteering : a jobs board for specialist volunteering

You can also look on organisations’ websites or contact them directly to learn about volunteering opportunities. Again, focus on registered charities.

Volunteering can enrich your life and the lives of others beyond measure, so I wish you the best in finding your own ways of making a positive impact.

If you have any questions or concerns, email our team at [email protected] or SRC Volunteering at [email protected] .