Top 10 Volunteering Ideas

              UK

   Race for Life
Raise money for Cancer Research UK and help to promote events before hand or on the day. You can marshal, work in the finish area giving out water, medals and goody bags or help with setting up or clearing down the event.  Volunteering for Race for Life has helped to fund advances in cancer research across the UK for the last 17 years.
 

  Vitalise – Cupcake Breaks
Raise money whilst baking yummy cakes, the perfect option if you’re a budding baker. It doesn’t matter if you raise £10 or £1000 - any penny counts! Vitalise is a national charity providing short breaks (respite care) and other services for people with disabilities, visually impaired people, and carers.


   2012 Olympics
Volunteers have been integral to the Olympics since they were used for the first time at London 1948. In 2012, the volunteer programme will be coming home to the city where it all began! Set against this inspirational backdrop they will build friendships, develop skills and play an integral role at the heart of the largest event ever staged in the UK.


   PDSA
Spending time with animals can help to lower blood pressure, risk for stroke or heart attack, and decrease depression. The PSDA have a fantastic variety of volunteer positions throughout the UK, from helping in shops or offices and fundraising groups, to specific placements in hospitals, all within a supportive and happy environment.


   BTCV Green Gym
Want to improve your health and well-being but not too keen on running machines or lycra? Then why not get involved with BTCV Green Gym®? You could be helping the environment as well as yourself! The BTCV Green Gym® is a scheme which inspires you to improve both your health and the environment at the same time.



         Abroad

   The Book Bus
The Book Bus aims to improve child literacy rates in Africa and South America by providing children with books and the inspiration to read them. The Book Bus supports schools by providing mobile library facilities and volunteer story-tellers to help children become confident and literate readers for life.


   Ecoteer
The majority of these placements are in ecotourism. Whatever your interests you will find something for you in ecotourism, as long as you are passionate about helping other people and nature. You could teach the local community, become a tour guide or even a linguist as you will be meeting many tourists from all over the world.


   Raleigh International
Raleigh run expeditions in Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua and India for individuals of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds. These involve volunteering on community projects and environmental projects as well as undertaking tough adventure challenges. All their expeditions are designed to be challenging, life-changing experiences.


   Original Volunteers
Volunteering abroad offers you the opportunity to volunteer overseas on a range of over 100 volunteer projects in 18 countries around the world. Original Volunteers offer affordable volunteering abroad, unlimited choices, fantastic volunteer work opportunities, and a flexible approach.


   United Planet
Volunteers help to support disadvantaged women and children. From staffing counselling centres for victims of abuse to taking care of children at a women’s centre, their training programs give women the tools necessary to gain social and economic independence to lift them and their families out of unhealthy circumstances.