How to Get Involved with Volunteering in Nailsea

Now that you’ve finished the leftovers, packed away the tree, and had your share of festive cheer, it’s time to start reflecting on the year ahead. If, like us, you’re thinking about your New Year’s resolutions, then now’s the time to consider giving a little back to your community and the people in it.

Volunteering in Nailsea is easy, with many opportunities for you to get involved with various events, charities, and activities around the town. Here, we’ll give you a little insight into why and how to volunteer.

Why You Should Volunteer

Volunteering is a selfless act, sacrificing your time for the betterment of an ideal. This could be your local community, or a global charity effort. In either case, a lot of people question why they should spend their time doing what is effectively work, for free.

Fulfilment

One thing volunteering does very well is offer a sense of fulfilment. Doing something for others not because you have to, but because you want to. Alongside this, volunteering can offer enriching activities that offer variety from your day to day, and many find it an engaging way to spend their time.

Charity

If you’ve got time to spare, then spending it in effort of a good cause is a great thing to do. Especially if you’ve overindulged during the festive period, volunteering can offer a sense of gratitude for the blessings you have.

It’s important to note that volunteering isn’t always for everyone. Not everybody has the spare time to volunteer it away, and that’s ok. Giving what you can, when you can, is the right way to go about it.

Skill Building

Finally, the great part about volunteering is that it offers an opportunity for you to learn new skills on the go. There is very little investment going into you since you’re not being paid, so you’ll find it easier to secure this type of work.

The skills you learn while volunteering can be crucial in getting the job you want in the future, and employers will look favourably on those who’ve spent time working for charitable means as it shows a strong work ethic and set of morals.

Places to Volunteer in Nailsea

There’s a great number of charities and organisations in and around Nailsea that are always seeking your help. Some key examples include:

• Break
• Healthwatch North Somerset
• Bristol & Wales Cat Rescue
• Nailsea Community Trust
• Nailsea Disability Initiative

These, and plenty more, are always seeking your help, so make sure to check in regularly to see if there are any opportunities that align with your schedule and interests!

Explore more charities in Nailsea >

How do I Volunteer?

The best way to volunteer is to reach out to your organisation of interest. Many times, you can find applications through online platforms, but contacting them directly or visiting them in person can also be an incredibly effective way to show you’re interested.

When you contact the organisation, you should include a number of key details such as:

• Your name
• Your age
• The days and times you’re available

You should try and ensure you have these dates consistently free, as it can be a hassle for volunteer organisations when your schedule is all over the place – and it’s even worse when there’s no-shows.

Hopefully, you should receive a favourable response fairly swiftly. If not, there’s plenty of other opportunities around, so keep trying!

We also hold volunteer fairs from time to time, which provide a great opportunity for organisations to show their availabilities, and for you to find interesting and beneficial places to offer your time. Keep an eye out in town and online, and you’re sure to find something that catches your attention!

Learn more about volunteering in North Somerset >

Can I Volunteer if I’m in Full-Time Education or Employment?

For the most part, yes you can! There are some caveats to this, however.

If you’re in education, chances are you won’t be able to take time off school to volunteer. Many schools do run volunteering programmes, so make sure to mention if you have any particular interests should one of these come around. For those in higher education, it’s up to you how you spend and volunteer your free time.

It’s a bit of a different story when you’re employed. Taking time off work to volunteer sounds nice in practice, but giving up your hard-earned paid time off or weekends can result in negative productivity and impact your own wellbeing.

There’s sometimes a workaround, when employers offer volunteering days as part of your contract. This is called “employer-supported volunteering”, and is something that’s quite commonly offered, acting as charity on behalf of the company and allowing employees to engage in enriching and community-beneficial activities. Make sure to check with your employer and properly schedule your volunteering through the right channels if this is something that’s available to you.

Get Involved with Nailsea Town

At Nailsea Town Council, we’re always looking for new and interesting ways to get the community involved. From volunteering to events, markets, and other activities around the town, we’re here to help you find where you need to be. If you’ve got any questions, about volunteering or otherwise, please don’t hesitate to contact us today!