What is it?

• There are a large number of other groups that you can be part of as a volunteer.  Some of these support specific political, religious or similar aims, others have a more general community and social purpose, like Citizens' Advice Bureaux, local women's groups, Town Twinning or helping the Third World.  

• The specialist organisations listed below will give you more information about the various possibilities.  Most of these groups and associations use volunteer help on a regular or occasional basis.    

• You can also belong to more informal local community groups, often taking care of a local hall or open space.  In addition to organising social events and/or discussions, these groups usually need help with fund raising and administration.  

• Some, like the political groups, are very active in circulating information and seeking new supporters.

Find out more

Organisations

Royal British Legion www.britishlegion.org.uk/
SSAFA Forces Help  www.ssafa.org.uk/
    
Association of Conservative Clubs  www.toryclubs.co.uk/
The Conservative Party  www.conservative-party.org.uk/
The Labour Party  www.labour.org.uk/
The Liberal Democrat Party  www.libdems.org.uk/
     
Churches together in Britain & Ireland  www.ctbi.org.uk/
jewish.net network  www.jewish.co.uk/
Sala@m Muslim Information Resources  www.salaam.co.uk/
Salvation Army  www.salvationarmy.org.uk/
Sikhism in the United Kingdom  www.geocities.com/Athens/1818/sikhhome.htm 
UK Mosques.org  www.ukmosques.org/
     
Freemasonry Network  www.freemasonry.net/
Territorial Army  www.army.mod.uk/ta/
Local Government International Bureau (Town Twinning)  www.lgib.gov.uk/links/twinning.htm
     
National Association of Ladies' Circles  www.ladies-circle.org.uk/
National Women's Register  www.nwr.org/
Townswomen's Guilds  www.townswomen.org.uk/
Women's Institute  www.womens-institute.org.uk/
     
Amnesty International  www.amnesty.org.uk/

Lions International  www.lions.org/
National Association of Citizens' Advice Bureaux  www.nacab.org.uk/ 
National Association of Round Tables of GB and Ireland  www.roundtable.org.uk/
OXFAM  www.oxfam.org.uk/
People's Dispensary for Sick Animals PDSA  www.pdsa.org.uk/
Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland  www.ribi.org/
Royal National Lifeboat Institution  www.rnli.org.uk/ 

RSPCA  www.rspca.org.uk/ 

Magazines

The Circler 
The Register 
Townswoman

We have not managed to identify any other magazines dealing specially with this type of helping.  But most of the organisations listed above have newsletter for their members.

Getting started

• Find a local group or club that covers the type of activity that interests you (see organisations above).

• See if your local group offers introductory sessions or events.  Take a class or course relevant to your interest at your local adult education centre. 

• Consult books or magazines on the areas of volunteering and organisations that interest you.

• Check in your local library/paper or volunteer centre for more information.

What you need

Skills and people

• You can usually get involved as a volunteer with these groups whatever your age, and special skills are not generally required.  But some groups, like those for women, are usually single sex.

• Providing you select the right groups, you will generally be in contact with people with a common interest to your own.  

• You can find the groups that might interest you either by contacting the specialist organisations or asking your own friends and family.

Equipment or clothing

• As a volunteer you don't normally need to have any special equipment.  

• Some organisations like you to wear badges or clothing to identify yourself.

A place or facilities

• You may be helping a local centre organising activities, events or fund raising, or in an office or at home on administrative matters.