Stepping Stones Programme A Career Development Programme for Grade 2/3 Staff Volunteering – enhancing employability

What we’ll cover Why consider volunteering? How volunteering can enhance employability What’s available and how to get involved

Volunteering – What is it? The definition of volunteering used in the 1997 National Survey of Volunteering is: "any activity which involves spending time, unpaid, doing something which aims to benefit someone (individuals or groups) other than or in addition to close relatives, or to benefit the environment." The definition of volunteering used in the Home Office Citizenship Survey, 2001 is: "Formal Volunteering - Giving unpaid help through groups, clubs or organisations to benefit other people or the environment."

How does Volunteering help the community? In 2003 42 per cent of people in England and Wales volunteered through a group, club or organisation at least once, equivalent to approximately 17.9 million people. Each volunteer contributed an estimated 104 hours in a year and the total contribution was 1.9 billion hours. This was equivalent of one million full-time workers. At the national average wage their contribution was worth around £22.5 billion. This form of involvement takes place throughout the public, private and third sectors.

Why do people volunteer? 47% of people volunteer because they were asked! 1 Reasons for volunteering are extremely personal and motivations will vary from person to person. These could include…. Personal and social reasons, doing something different, employability skills, giving something back. 1 Volunteering England – Building on Success document.

So what did I do? Brace yourself…….

Boost your Career Options A survey carried out by TimeBank through Reed Executive showed that among 200 of the UK’s leading businesses: 73% of employers would employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one without 94% of employers believe that volunteering can add to skills 58% say that voluntary work experience can actually be more valuable than experience gained in paid employment 94% of employees who volunteered to learn new skills had benefited either by getting their first job, improving their salary, or being promoted.

Benefits of Volunteering Experience Qualifications/Training Insight into potential future career Contacts/networking Enhance skills that employers are looking for such as leadership, teamwork and communication

How can Volun-tees help? Co-ordinate volunteering at the University Identify, promote and develop opportunities Ensure volunteers receive training and support Help volunteers gain recognition and accreditation Enhance student and staff experience and skills

Volun-tees website www.voluntees.co.uk

VIP Exercise Brief: To plan a fundraising activity for Victim Support who would like to buy personal safety equipment for Victims of Crime. Outcome: Plan a one day event to include Outline of event/activity Role for each member of the group Budget required for event Equipment required Publicity/marketing plan

Thank you Contact: Jayne Villiers Email: j.d.villiers@tees.ac.uk volunteering@tees.ac.uk Tel: ext 4280