12 Tips to consider when volunteering

Sparrow Schools Trust, a non-governmental organisation in Sophiatown, understands the importance of volunteering.

“We’re celebrating 25 years of changing lives through education. We wouldn’t have been able to reach this milestone without all the volunteers who sacrificed their time and offered their services to help us with the wonderful work of transforming lives,” says Jackie Gallagher, founder and managing director at Sparrow Schools.

If you are looking to volunteer or do more of it, here are 12 tips to finding that perfect volunteering spot:

• Do research –There are various volunteer opportunities out there, take the time to research and find organisations that deal with issues that you feel strongly about – this should give you a push in the right direction.

• Ask around – If you still do not find what you are looking for, then ask around. Your neighbour or a colleague might have the answers to the questions you have.

• What can you offer – Now that you know which organisation you want to approach, think of the skills you want to offer, if you are good at painting then best you head off to that organisation with your paint brush, paint and overall and get painting!

• Think of people’s needs – Most of the people you offer volunteering services to come from disadvantaged backgrounds and do not have the opportunities that you have. Help them in the best way that you can and stay humble and patient at all times.

• Learn as much as you can – Volunteering is an experience, not only for those that you are helping but for you as a volunteer. Learn as much as you can about the organisation, the people, the culture and the whole concept of volunteering. Learn from other volunteers, they might just inspire you to do more or learn something new.

• Invite your family and friends to help out – When a family volunteers together, the experience brings everyone closer. It can teach young children the value of giving. It introduces skills and experiences never before encountered, and creates special memories. You can also see it as more hands working together to create more laughter and smiles.

• Balance your time carefully – Most volunteers go in with an eager heart to make a difference, but if the time between your work life, family life and personal life clashes with your volunteering then make sure you do not over-commit, think about balancing your time carefully.

• Know how long you want to volunteer for – Set a time frame on your volunteering service. You might want to look at working for a couple of months, from there on consider moving to a different organisation. Full commitment and professionalism will work in your favour in future; you might use the experience you gain as a reference for your programme or job application. Remember that no one will give a good reference to someone who is unprofessional and unreliable.

• Achieve all your goals – We all have personal and professional goals that we one day want to achieve, in addition to those goals where we want to make difference in someone’s life. Take this as the perfect opportunity to achieve all those goals together.

• Remember to be yourself, always – If you are the funny, enthusiastic, fun and loving spirit that all your friends and family know, then bring that with you to your volunteer service.

• Remember what you are there for –You might have started with your own ideas of how things should be done, but always keep an open mind, everyone volunteering came with good intentions.

• Build those relationships – Volunteering is a great way for you to meet and mingle with people from all walks of life. Look at it as building and maintaining a strong relationship when getting your hands dirty for a good cause.

“Volunteering is an experience that puts you in a different environment, it exposes you to people from all walks of life and situations that you wouldn’t have come across and gives you a different perspective,” says Gallagher.

If you would to like to become a volunteer at Sparrow Schools, contact 011 482 1015 or visit https://sparrowschoolsblog.co.za/volunteers/how-to-volunteer/