What is it?

A volunteer is someone who works for a community or for the benefit of environment primarily because they choose to do so. The word comes from Latin, and can be translated as "will" (as in doing something out of one’s own free will). One of features of voluntary work is that it’s mostly unpaid and it acquires the dedication to a particular cause.

The type of experience that can be gained is very varied:

·         social care,

·         health,

·         children and family,

·         environment and animals,

·         working with elderly,

·         arts, sport and culture,

·         equality,

·         education and youth work.  

The most important types of voluntary work are local and European.

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING
 

• Learning new skills – these can include professional skills (project writing, tutoring, consulting etc.) as well as everyday skills such as communication, time management and problem solving. You will also become more confident, independent and sociable.
• Experience – you can gain valuable experience for an area that you would like a career in, for example teaching, PR or social work.  The same is true if you need experience to be considered for a vocational course.  Volunteering also offers you a ‘safe’ environment in which to test out certain career areas to see if they are something that you wish to pursue. 
• Meeting people - volunteering allows you to meet people out with your own social circle. These can be students from other degree courses and universities, people in a different age group from you and people from different backgrounds, foreign volunteers.  It can be a chance to find out more about the community you live in.   In these situations, you will no doubt form friendships, but you will also find this as an opportunity for you to network now and in the future.
• ‘Giving something back’ - for some people volunteering is entirely altruistic.
• Improving confidence and feeling of self-worth - being an important part of a team or being highly valued by an individual you are working with can do wonders for your self-esteem.
• Constructive use of spare time - undertaking voluntary work allows you to take a break from studying whilst being able to feel that you are still adding value both to yourself and others around you.
• Work on your terms - although with most voluntary work you need to commit to certain time frames and need to adhere to them, on the whole the flexibility is yours. This is because you get to choose the type of work you would like to do, with the knowledge of what you need to commit. Most volunteer organizations, although stating a required minimum commitment, will give you flexibility in tasks, amount of commitment, timings, and location.
• It is important to remember that all types of employers view volunteering as just as valuable, and in some cases more valuable than, paid work.

WHAT CAN I OFFER?
 

• Personal qualities - projects seeking volunteers tend to value enthusiasm, new ideas and hard work more than specific skills. People skills - cheerfulness, patience and understanding - are most important.
• Expertise - particular abilities will always be welcomed. Conservation projects appeal to those with practical or technical skills. Teaching, advisory and counselling activities demand high levels of communication skills. Being able to drive could be a useful asset.
• Affinity - support for a cause, concern for a special project or group of people or sharing the aims, objectives and values of a specific organisation could lend support to your desire to be a volunteer.
• Time commitment - how much time can you realistically spare? Some voluntary projects may only need you on an ‘as and when available’ basis. Others, particularly when working in a supporting or teaching capacity or when specific training is offered, will look for regular and sustained involvement. You may need to agree a mutual trial period with the voluntary organisation. 

HOW TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER?

In order to become a volunteer in any organization you need to show your interest in the work of a voluntary organization and to offer your time, readiness to help, create and support others.

The VITATEAM NGO deals with developing and promoting voluntary service on both local and European levels. Today we have one volunteer that works on the local level and one that is from Slovenia (through EVS Programme). More detailed information about the activities they conduct and how they got into our organization you can find on our web page.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT VOLUNTARISM

 www.vabatahtlkiud.ee – here you can find information, concerning the local voluntary service and chose an organziation you would love to develop and bring something useful in.

 www.noored.ee – on this web page there is a lot of information not only about volunteering but also other different projects connected with youth involvement.