Volunteering opportunities
Not only is volunteering an integral part of the Duke of Edinburgh programme, but it can bring many other positive gains including:
- Building confidence and self-esteem
- Meeting new friends and different types of people
- Learn new skills and gain work experience
- Wellbeing: It feels good to help others and make a difference in your community
Ideas
Fundraising
Fundraise for an important cause, such as St John Ambulance, YHA, Leonard Cheshire, The British Heart Foundation or create your own campaign
Youth Ambassador
Become a youth ambassador with Anthony Nolan
Social media
– Help with social media content for YHA or St John Ambulance
–Maintain Facebook / Instagram / websites for a local community group or charity
DofE support
Continue in your role remotely as a DofE Ambassador or Young Leader
Getting creative
Support a charity such as Headwrappers or Loving Hands by getting crafty, or sew scrubs for NHS staff
Raise awareness
Support a cause you care about by raising awareness about it
Helping others
Elderly
- Remotely support elderly people who are in isolation with Kissing It Better
- Skype talk / FaceTime / WhatsApp call an elderly neighbour to prevent isolation
- Adopt a grandparent and help combat loneliness
- Write postcards of kindness or letters to a pen pal and support elderly people in the UK and abroad
- Write a local newsletter to share with elderly care home residents
Carer
If you are a Young Carer, your caring responsibilities can count for your volunteering. The Assessor should be a professional who is supporting you with your caring role, ideally from a Young Carers Project or Social Work/Youth Work departments. Young Carers are also encouraged to contact their nearest Young Carers Project.
Young people and children
- Prepare some sessions for future Beaver, Cub, Rainbow, Brownie or youth group meetings
- Become a post pal and write to seriously ill children and their siblings
Campaigning
Create a campaign to raise awareness about an important issue
Mentoring
Mentor a sibling or relative, such as by helping with schoolwork
Coaching
Coach a family member or friend to develop a new skill
Online volunteering projects
Digital safety
Take part in a digital personal safety campaign with Resolve It
Videography
Become a volunteering videographer for YHA
British Red Cross
Volunteer online with the British Red Cross missing maps project
Research
Participate in research of all kinds with Zooniverse and ZSL
Sustainable development
Volunteer with the United Nations to address sustainable development challenges
Conservation
Environment
– Become an Energy Envoy with the National Energy Foundation
Nature
Take part in a John Muir Award and help to conserve nature
Litter picking
Look after your local area by cleaning it up and recycling what you can
Reduce plastic use
Join a project with Plastic Oceans to reduce plastic waste
Local wildlife
Give nature a home by supporting hedgehogs and birds in your local area