This Easter break I’m sure you’re busy studying for exams, catching up with friends – and maybe looking ahead to your plans for the summer? Amongst your plans, why not include some active citizenship! Volunteering in your local community is a great way to make change, meet like minded people and boost your wellbeing; a social impact internship can develop skills, experience and employability all whilst having a positive impact on the world.
If you’re convinced, read on for our top five tips on finding and making the most of your summer active citizenship.
All of the tips will be illustrated with an example of my latest volunteering adventure so you can get some ideas as to how to put these tips into practice.
#1: Know what you want
If you are passionate about biodiversity, why not consider joining a local gardening group? Alternatively, if you get energy from working with young people you could intern at a local youth charity. Choosing an opportunity that aligns with your personal values and interests will ultimately lead to more happiness, a greater sense of belonging and you being more effective in your new role! Alongside this, you may want to consider if there are particular skills you would like to put to use, or develop, through social action.
| Over the past few years my interest in environmental sustainability has been growing. I’ve always loved nature and after learning about the importance of urban canopy I wanted to find something I could do to learn more about trees, whilst protecting them in the city I call home, Bristol. |
#2: And where to look
Where to look may depend on your local area. Often the council manage an online portal or mailing list for volunteers – you should be able to find this through a search engine. Similarly, your local area might have a volunteering centre that can support you to find an opportunity. There are national websites you can check out too such as Reach Volunteering. On the other hand, if you know which organisations you’re interested in working with, why not reach out to them directly. Be clear about what you can offer – and what you’re looking for in return – and they will appreciate the proactive approach!
| I found out about the opportunity at my local library. The library is often a great hub for finding out about community initiatives – look for a notice board and start there. |
#3: Vet the organisation
Before committing to working with an organisation it’s important that you are sure they are inclusive, impactful and legitimate. To do this review their website and most recent impact report, paying close attention to the language they use – particularly when talking about their users. You should also give them a search online to see what their reputation is and what they’ve been involved with. If you want to go a step further you may like to look at who they are partnering with, and how they get their funding. To learn more about a charitable organisation you can find their listing on the Charity Commission website, the national regulator who makes sure charities are complying with legislation.
| To vet the organisation I did some research on their website and gave them a search online to get a better sense of what they had been doing recently. I also had a conversation with a current member to ensure I really understood the organisation, their aims and how I could get involved. |
#4: Make sure you’ll be supported
There are a few key things you will want to understand before you commit to the role – to ensure that you will be able to have an impact, whilst also having the support you need. Why not ask the organisation:
- What is the role description? You want to be clear on the expectations attached to your role including the time required, so that you can make sure you will be able to fulfil these expectations
- What training is available? It’s especially important to understand what support you will have when you first start, to familiarise yourself with the organisation and the role
- Are expenses reimbursed? Particularly if you are a volunteer make sure you are clear on what the cost of taking part will be for you, versus what the organisation will reimburse
| Once I started I got access to the volunteer portal on their website. It has so many resources which have really helped me get started in my role including advice on responding to planning applications and surveying trees! I was also able to attend a meeting to get up to date with current actions being taken. |
#5: Be ready to grow
Working alongside a socially impactful organisation is a great learning opportunity. You won’t know everything on the first day, but go into the experience with a growth mindset – unafraid to give new things a try! We’d recommend keeping a learning log throughout your role reflecting regularly on what new experiences you have had, what skills you have developed and what lessons you have learned. These will be invaluable when it comes to updating your CV and LinkedIn profile with your new experience.
| Since getting involved I’ve been trying lots of new things – including helping the organisation with some of their internal policies. It’s been really rewarding using my skillset from my day job to support an organisation I care about. Whilst it’s not necessarily what I thought I’d be doing on day one I’ve enjoyed having a flexible role and making the most of the opportunity. |
To look for opportunities in your local area If you enjoy getting active this summer, consider joining a Hub activity, or volunteering opportunity at your local institution, in the new year. Together we can create the world we want to see.
For now, all that’s left to say is enjoy yourself. Have a fun and meaningful summer.