There have been stories in the news lately about the rise in volunteering since the recession hit. We have seen volunteer centers unable to cope with the demand for volunteering jobs, and seen people previously employed in middle to high ranking jobs become unemployed and opt for volunteering whilst they look for more work.
Volunteering may seem like a soft option for some. The volunteering jobs that spring to mind are things like assisting in a classroom, clearing a river of rubbish, or driving the elderly to the supermarket, and many have assumed that these are the areas that the new wave of volunteers have charged into as they seek to boost their employment credentials.
This, it seems, is not quite the case, or at least, not completely. Some volunteers have thrown themselves in at the deep end with “hardcore” volunteering.
The British Red Cross announced that volunteering enquiries have quadrupled over the past year. The average of 300 per month in 2008 has risen to 1,400 per month now. A spokesperson from the charity also said that the majority of enquiries in March and April 2009 came from young people.
All of this is fantastic news. Just when people are relying on charities the most – during a recession – others are volunteering their time. This is particularly relevant when charities are struggling due to a decreased rate of donations.
Meanwhile, the British Red Cross has been so inundated by enquiries that it has had to increase its ranks. Maryanne Burton, head of volunteering for the charity, said that it had increased the number of internships and volunteering roles to make the best use of everyone who wished to help.
Volunteering may not bring home the bacon right now, but it does help to lay the track for a fantastic future in an ethical job or a public sector career. If you are unemployed, looking to retrain or simply want to learn new skills, a volunteering job could be just right for you. Give it a try!
Author
Rachel Charman, a writer for JuicyJobs; Ethical Jobs UK – an environmentally friendly green job search board which offers free job listings to Environmental, NGO’s, NFP’s and ethical companies promoting green, fair trade services and support sustainable living. For job seekers Juicyjobs can help you find the ideal ethical jobs in London.
