Whether you’re looking for something productive to do in your spare time or want to get some extra experience for your CV, the world of volunteering can be a bit of a maze. The good news is, there’s plenty on offer in Birmingham to get your teeth stuck into so you’ll be able to demonstrate to potential employers that you have transferable skills and a willingness to work in no time. Here's a rundown of just some of the opportunities available.
Get involved with BCU Volunteering
At Birmingham City University there's a volunteering team ready to help you out with any questions and finding the right role for you. Get in touch with them by emailing volunteering@bcu.ac.uk or check out the volunteer bulletin.
Charity shop volunteer
A really easy and flexible way to support charities, build skills and confidence and meet new people is to become a charity shop volunteer. These shops raise funds for local and national charities and they're always happy to take new volunteers. They're often flexible with times and you can give as little as an hour a week to full time (as long as you've still got time to study!).
History and heritage
Interested in history, changing narratives or conservation? There are some great opportunities in and around Birmingham to get actively involved and make your voice heard. The National Trust look after many of the nation's listed buildings as well as loads of countryside and coastline. Birmingham Museums Trust is another great option for history buffs. They look after Sarehole Mill, near where J.R.R Tolkien grew up, as well as a few other sites and are always looking for volunteers.
Find something that's perfect for you
There are hundreds of volunteering vacancies available across the city with lots of different charities including sports coaching, caring, administration, research, youth work, conservation and more! Some will require a regular commitment while others may be one-off opportunities and there's bound to be something out there to suit you.
If you're a current BCU student, you can get in touch with our very own BCU Volunteering Team, who can offer support in helping you find a volunteering opportunity. The team also have a Volunteering Bulletin where students can search and apply for volunteering vacancies in the local area.
You can also see what’s available in Birmingham on the Birmingham Voluntary Service Council community noticeboard.