There is a new and easy way to discover volunteering opportunities in Suffolk, thanks to a website which launches today.
Volunteer Suffolk has been created as a one-stop shop for people to discover how they can gift their time, and for local organisations to advertise their volunteering opportunities.
Carolyn Shaw, Volunteering Manager at Community Action Suffolk, which is responsible for the website, said: “People in Suffolk were telling us it was difficult and frustrating to search online for local volunteering opportunities. They found it time-consuming and search results were disappointing.
“Our research revealed that opportunities to volunteer with Suffolk’s organisations were getting overlooked on larger, national volunteer websites which try to cater for everyone and everything.
“Volunteer Suffolk will make it easier for people to give their time to the organisations which rely on them.”
The website already boasts more than 100 volunteering opportunities, added by local organisations and charities. These range from short-term and one-off roles, to temporary positions and long-term roles.
Current opportunities include being a tour guide for the Tide Mill in Woodbridge, a marshal at the Midnight Walk in aid of St. Elizabeth Hospice, preparing animal feeds at Banham Zoo and assisting with play sessions for children who have suffered from domestic abuse or violence at home.
There are also “10 minute volunteer” opportunities on offer which simply involve sharing a Facebook post to raise awareness, sourcing a raffle prize or putting up a poster at work.
Carolyn said: “Volunteering benefits the individual, the organisation and the wider community. It allows people to use their existing skills and learn new ones.
For some it gives a sense of involvement and community, a place to make friends or a feeling of giving something back.
“Without people being generous with their time and skills, many organisations would not be able to deliver their amazing work.
“Our message is – be amazing, be a volunteer. And better yet, do it here in Suffolk.”
The website also provides helpful volunteering tips, latest news and volunteers’ stories.
Volunteer Suffolk is a product of the Suffolk Volunteering Strategy and was made possible thanks to a steering group of representatives from Suffolk’s public, private and voluntary sectors.
For more information visit www.volunteersuffolk.org.uk
