Volunteering is probably the easiest way for you to get work experience. If you think it might interest you, here are some handy pointers:
A good place to kick off is at the volunteering site for each country. These are volunteering.org.uk (for England), volunteerscotland.org.uk, volunteering-wales.net and volunteernow.co.uk (for Northern Ireland).
Another good starting-point is do-it.org.uk. You’ll find an online database of volunteering opportunities. Alternatively, go to the ‘Find a Volunteer Centre’ section on that site: this will tell you where there’s a local agency that promotes volunteering.
The simple answer is as much as you like. But, generally speaking, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it.
Questions will vary according to the area, but an interviewer might well want to know:
You might want to find out:
Yes, and often with very positive results. Clubs and other associations are a good place to volunteer and make new friends. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, St John Ambulance Cadets and The Scout Association all encourage volunteering.
There is no legal reason why you can’t volunteer; however, if you’re under 18 years old, you’re legally classed as a child, so the organisation you’re volunteering for is obliged to protect you. They should make sure:
Sometimes an organisation’s insurance doesn’t cover people under the age of 16, so you should find out if you’re covered by their policy before you begin.
