1. Preparing to Volunteer
Today’s Questions:
What is ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ volunteering?
What are the main activities of volunteering?
What skills and experience can you offer?
What are your boundaries as a volunteer?
What are possible referral routes?

2. Preparing to Volunteer
Task
In pairs/small groups, decide on a definition for: ‘
Let’s compare definitions!
‘What is informal volunteering?’
‘What is formal volunteering?’

3. Preparing to Volunteer
Informal volunteering is:
giving unpaid help as an individual to people who are not relatives.
(Volunteering and Society in the 21st Century, 2012 pg 20 )

4. Preparing to Volunteer
Formal volunteering is:
giving unpaid help through groups, club or organisations to benefit other people or the environment
(Volunteering and Society in the 21st Century, 2012 pg 20)

5. Preparing to Volunteer
Informal
Giving advice
Looking after property or pet
Transporting or escorting someone
Babysitting, caring for children
Keeping in touch with someone
Writing letters, filling in forms
Doing shopping, collecting pension
Cooking, cleaning, laundry
Decorating, home improvement
Representing someone
Sitting with someone, providing personal care
Any other activities
Formal
Raising or handling money
Organising an event
Helping to run an event
Being a committee member
Helping to run a group
Taking part in a sponsored event
Providing transport/driving
Giving information/advice and counselling
Visiting people
Secretarial, clerical or admin work
Befriending or mentoring people

6. Preparing to Volunteer
Positive characteristics:
These are positive and useful personal qualities in volunteering and employment.
Action Words:
Describe your responsibilities and achievements.

7. Preparing to Volunteer
Task: ‘thought shower’
Make notes and share your thoughts with a peer.
I need to improve
My current skills are ...
(good at)
I am ....
(qualities)

8. Preparing to Volunteer
Task
Watch the 4 short videos titled:
Make notes about the activities of the volunteers in the videos, their skills and their qualities.
‘Where volunteering begins’

9. Snakes and Ladders Problem Solving and Boundaries
At the end: Share your responses!
2:Land on a question mark
1:Play the game
3:Pick up a card and discuss

10. Preparing to Volunteer
Today’s Questions:
What is ‘formal’ and ‘informal’ volunteering?
What are the main activities of volunteering?
What skills and experience can you offer?
What are your boundaries as a volunteer?
What are possible referral routes?

11. Preparing to Volunteer
Next week:
Recap session 2: The Volunteering Role.
Session 3: The Rights and Responsibilities of a Volunteer.