What are the best ways to find a volunteering role that matches your family commitments?

1 Assess your availability

Before you start looking for a volunteering role, you need to be realistic about how much time and energy you can dedicate to it. Think about your daily and weekly routines, your family obligations, your work or study commitments, and your personal needs. How many hours per week or month can you spare for volunteering? What days and times are you free? How flexible are you in case of emergencies or changes? How far are you willing to travel? Having a clear idea of your availability will help you narrow down your options and avoid overcommitting yourself.

2 Identify your interests and skills

Another important factor to consider when looking for a volunteering role is what you are passionate about and what you are good at. Volunteering should be enjoyable and fulfilling, not a chore or a burden. Think about the causes, issues, or groups that you care about and want to support. What are the skills and talents that you have or want to develop? What are the challenges and opportunities that you are looking for? What are the values and principles that you share with the organization or project that you want to join? By aligning your interests and skills with your volunteering role, you will increase your motivation, satisfaction, and impact.

3 Research your options

Once you have a clear idea of your availability, interests, and skills, you can start researching your options for volunteering roles. There are many ways to find volunteering opportunities, such as online platforms, local directories, social media, word of mouth, or personal contacts. You can also approach organizations or projects that you are interested in and ask if they need volunteers. When researching your options, pay attention to the details of the volunteering role, such as the tasks, responsibilities, expectations, benefits, training, support, feedback, and recognition. Compare different options and see which ones match your criteria and preferences.

4 Contact the organization

After you have selected one or more options that appeal to you, you need to contact the organization or project that offers the volunteering role. You can do this by phone, email, online form, or in person, depending on the instructions given by the organization. When contacting the organization, be polite, professional, and enthusiastic. Introduce yourself, explain why you are interested in volunteering with them, and highlight your relevant skills and experience. Ask any questions that you have about the volunteering role, such as the time commitment, the location, the supervision, the orientation, the evaluation, and the recognition. Be prepared to provide references, a resume, or a background check if required.

5 Try it out

Before you commit to a long-term volunteering role, it is a good idea to try it out first. This will allow you to see if you like the organization, the project, the staff, the beneficiaries, and the work environment. It will also give you a chance to test your skills, learn new things, and receive feedback. You can try out a volunteering role by doing a trial period, a one-off event, a short-term project, or a shadowing session. During the trial period, be observant, proactive, and respectful. Ask for guidance, support, and clarification if needed. Evaluate your experience and decide if you want to continue or not.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?