Why Volunteer
Benefits of volunteering!
Volunteers are the life-blood of voluntary sector organisations, without whom they would be unable to provide their front line services in the local community.
Volunteering helps you in so many ways:
- Learning new skills
- Making new friends
- Helping to make a difference to other peoples lives
- Giving you a purpose in life
- Good for your CV
- Charities and Community groups are always happy to support good volunteers by giving them references
Anyone can volunteer, regardless of background or skill set and our Volunteer Centre has a range of opportunities available to get you started on your volunteering journey.
Could You Be a Trustee?
Why We Need People Like You
Being a volunteer Trustee for a charity is a highly rewarding and satisfying experience.
When I retired from my professional career, I had no real plan for what I was going to do with my free time – but I knew that I had built up a wide range of skills and experience throughout my life, and I hoped that I would be able to utilise that experience in different ways.
I first started working with Community Action Dacorum as a volunteer presenter on Radio Dacorum (a role that I still continue today), then I applied to become a Trustee. Three years later, I was elected as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. It’s a pleasure to do as it I can use the experience I’ve gained over the years to help shape the future of the charity.
But experience in the workplace is by no means essential to become an effective Trustee – charities are constantly looking to recruit Trustees from a diverse range of backgrounds and, critically, from all age groups. For younger Trustees, the work you do can help to boost your working career.
So what does a Trustee actually do, and why should you consider becoming one?
You Help Shape Real Change
As a Trustee, you sit on the governing board of a charity. You help set its direction, make sure it stays true to its mission, and ensure it uses its resources well. The decisions you’re part of have a direct impact on people’s lives. That’s a big responsibility – but a rewarding one.
Your Skills Are More Valuable Than You Think
You don’t need a background in finance, business, or law to be a great trustee. Charities need people who understand communities or technology or communications, or people who just live regular lives and are interested in a fulfilling role.
Whatever you do for a career, or even if you’ve never worked, you get to bring your own set of skills, experience, and objectivity to the boardroom. Diverse boards make better decisions.
You gain from the experience too!
Trusteeship isn’t just about what you give – it’s also about what you gain. You’ll develop governance and leadership skills that are genuinely valued by employers. You’ll expand your professional network across sectors. You’ll learn how organisations are run from the inside, manage budgets, navigate strategic decisions, and contribute to meetings at the highest level.
For younger people especially, being a Trustee can be a powerful addition to a CV – demonstrating initiative, responsibility, and commitment to a valuable organisation.
You’ll Be Part of a Community
Joining a board means joining a team of people who care. The relationships you build, with fellow Trustees, staff, volunteers, and the people your charity serves, can be genuinely enriching. Many Trustees describe it as one of the most rewarding things they’ve ever done. I certainly concur with that.
What are we looking for?
If you’re a curious, committed individual who wants to contribute – whatever your background, age, or experience – then being a Trustee could be for you.
Community Action Dacorum is always keen to hear from potential Trustees and so are many other charities.
We’d love to hear from you. Pop down to the Community Action Dacorum Hub at the Roundhouse, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead to see which charities are currently looking for Trustees, or get in touch with us at Community to find out more about becoming a Trustee and what it could mean for you and for the people we serve.
01442 247 209
Communities Team at The Roundhouse
volunteering@communityactiondacorum.org.uk
Peter Ashman – Chairman – Community Action Dacorum