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Why volunteer?There are many positive reasons for volunteering. As well as the almost infinite variety of interesting opportunities available, giving your time freely to benefit others is intrinsically rewarding. Even if you are not very altruistic, becoming a volunteer may be a necessary part of your career plan. It is a prerequisite for some jobs and further study. If you hope to pursue a career in environmental conservation, teaching, social work or the charity sector, for instance, expect to demonstrate your commitment with unpaid work experience. As in any other form of work experience, volunteering will enable you to test out the sector, make contacts, develop skills and obtain useful background knowledge. If you are employed, but hope to broaden your experience and progress your career, just a few hours a week, perhaps evenings or weekends, is enough to make a real difference, both to those you are helping and to your personal development. This allows you to explore an entirely different field, or to build up further evidence of your abilities to improve your chances of promotion from your current role. Some employers support volunteering staff, offering flexible hours, so speak with your manager. back to top Voluntary work in the UKIf you are not working and you are claiming benefit, you must seek advice from Jobcentre Plusabout whether volunteering is permitted and, if so, how many hours you may work without losing your entitlement. Whether you are unemployed, have been ill or have taken time out from work to care for your family, volunteering allows you to prove your abilities and build your confidence, making it a great bridge to lead you back into work. For help in finding your ideal voluntary role, see public and voluntary sector, for related news and opportunity listings. YouthNet is a national volunteering database that allows you to search by location, times you are available, skills you can offer and the cause you want to give your time to. Most towns have a central volunteer bureau or agency listed in the phone book. Also, try your national volunteer network: back to top Voluntary work abroadIf you love travelling, volunteering abroad might appeal to you. With a wealth of exotic, far-flung locations to choose from, you may find many types of work to suit your skills and preferences. Many schemes exist to place volunteers, but you need to research exactly what resources they provide before making a commitment. It is not unusual for applicants to cover at least some of their own expenses, e.g. air fare, but you must be clear about what is provided by the organisers and what you must pay for yourself. Fees and extra costs may mount up - check that essentials, like health insurance and visas, are dealt with properly. Find out who is responsible for finding and paying for accommodation, flights to and from your destination, and travel expenses incurred while you are away. Speak with someone who has been to the same location or with the same organisation. Confirm all arrangements in writing. Get ready for your return before you leave. You may want or need to start working as soon as you get home, so you must think ahead. Check deadlines for any jobs or courses of interest and start preparing for applications, even if you just put together a basic CV and discuss it with a careers adviser. Emailing your CV and other important documents to yourself enables you to update them while you are away, as long as you have internet access. Make back-up copies of your CV too. Also have a look at gap year and country specific information.
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