Volunteering Wirral

Volunteering WirralVolunteering Wirral is a partnership project between VCA Wirral and Wirral CVS. The project supports volunteering across Wirral by working with individuals to help them to become volunteers and to find volunteering opportunities; and it works with volunteer involving organisations to develop volunteering good practice and to help them to keep up to date with the latest issues surrounding volunteering.

Volunteering Wirral is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and works to the Volunteering England national Quality Standards for Volunteer Centres.

To jump straight to the Volunteering Wirral website to find out more, click here.

For organisations:

If you are representing an organisation and you would like more information about how we can help you then please call Ian Jones or Kirsty Maton on 0151 203 2111 (Ex 310) or Ros Purcell or Karen Giner on 0151 647 5432 (Option 1)

For individuals:

Have you ever thought about doing some voluntary work? Around half of the adults in Britain are involved in some kind of volunteering work and those volunteers come from all backgrounds, age groups and abilities. The team in the Volunteering Wirral recognises that there are often barriers to getting involved in volunteering, and that people get involved for all different reasons - our experience of recruiting and placing volunteers allows us to help you to overcome your own barriers and to get the most out of volunteering.

Volunteering Wirral - Funded by the Big Lottery Fund
Some of the barriers we come across regularly:

I don't have the time to volunteer:

  • You can volunteer at any time of the week and the amount of time you give is up to you.
  • Most organisations are happy to help their volunteers to work around their other commitments.
  • There are opportunities to volunteer on an ad hoc basis - it doesn't have to be a weekly thing.
  • Some opportunities will allow you to volunteer with the family.
  • Lots of people fit their volunteering around full time stuides or employment and the Volunteer Centre staff can help you to do the same.

I'm not qualified. I don't have any skills to offer:

  • Most of the volunteering opportunities on our database don't require any specific qualifications or experience. A willingness to get stuck in and learn new skills is often enough. In fact, volunteering is a great way to get some experience and to learn new skills.
  • Everyone has talents and abilities that can be used in volunteering. Something as simple as being able to sit and chat with someone is a useful skill.
  • Volunteering can often be the very thing to help you to find out what you really are good at. It's a great opportunity to give something new a try!

I don't have the confidence:

  • Getting involved in volunteering happens at your own pace and when you are ready.
  • Many of the organisations that we work with can offer support and guidance to new volunteers to help them to settle into their new role.
  • The team at the Volunteer Centre can help you throughout the process of getting involved and they're always there to answer any questions you might have.
  • Volunteering is a great way to build your confidence.

I don't think there would be anything I'd like to do:

  • There are more than 900 opportunities on our database with more than 400 organisations.
  • Most people find lots of opportunities they like and struggle to narrow it down to one opportunitiy rather than struggling to find one they like.
  • The Volunteer Centre team can help you to find something you will like, based on your interests, skills and time availability.
Some of the benefits of volunteering

The benefits of volunteering depend on who you are, what you are hoping to gain from volunteering and what type of voluntary work you undertake. Here are some examples of the common benefits:

  • Something to write on your CV or UCAS application form.
  • Learn new skills.
  • Gain experience in a new career field.
  • Try something new.
  • Meet new people.
  • Stay physically and mentally healthy.
  • Take a break from caring responsibilities.
  • Enjoyment.
  • Give something back to the community.
  • Help a favourite cause or charity.
  • Help your local community to grow.
  • It's FREE!
Some of the different types of volunteering

There are more than 900 opportunities to choose from at your local Volunteer Centre and these are as different and diverse as the volunteers that are involved. Listed below are just some of the broad categories that you could get involved in:

  • Advice and Information
  • Administration
  • Computers and IT
  • Conservation and Environment
  • Charity Shops
  • Children
  • Crime Prevention
  • Catering
  • Disability
  • Driving
  • Education
  • Emergency Services
  • Fundraising
  • Gardening and DIY
  • Health, Hospitals and Hospices
  • Homelessness
  • Literacy and Numeracy
  • Marketing
  • Mental Health
  • Mentoring and Befriending
  • Older People
  • Sports
  • Training
  • Trusteeship
  • Youth Work

And many more...

There are lots of reasons to get involved in volunteering and your perfect opportunity could be out there waiting for you. The team at Volunteering Wirral would love to help you to find out more. For further information or to book an appointment please call Ian or Kirsty on 0151 203 2111 (Ex 310) or email volunteering@vcawirral.org.uk You can also call 0151 647 5432 (Option 1) and speak to Ros.