Will it cost me anything?
Volunteers should never be out of pocket. The Volunteer Centre should be able to tell you if an organisation will cover your expenses, but never be afraid to ask. Many organisations will also offer you free training for particular kinds of volunteering.

What can I do?
We have over 350 different calls for help on our books, from more than 200 local organisations. These can be anything, from the ones you might expect (visiting people in hospital, working in a charity shop or befriending an elderly person), to working with the homeless, victims of crime, those with physical or learning disabilities or mental ill health. You could work in an office, in a day centre, in someone’s home or outside in the open air. You could help with an annual fundraising event, or take on a weekly commitment. You could work at a decision-making level, as a school governor, magistrate or trustee for a charity. You could work during the day, during term-time, in the evening or at the weekend. You can even work overnight!

How do I get started?
The Volunteer Centre is here to give you all the information you need to help you make a choice about your volunteering. So . . .

1. Make an appointment to see one of our advisers. Our Advisers are trained to help you decide what is best for you, and will give you several options to take away and follow up. They can also contact organisations on your belhalf and will follow up our progress.

2. Visit the National Volunteering Database online at www.do-it.org.uk . Details of our opportunities are listed there and if you register, we’ll send you more information by email and follow your progress via email.

3. Take a look at our monthly list of Volunteering Opportunities. We publish this in the first week of each month. Copies are available on online or pick up a copy from the Volunteer Centre, St Albans Central Library, or Harpenden Town Council Information Point.

4. Read our weekly article in the St Albans Review, which highlights various ideas for volunteering.

5. Visit St Albans Central Library – we regularly update our display there, and there is lots of information to take away.

I would like to find out more about volunteering before I make a decision.

Volunteer Centre Home Page