Volunteering

Volunteering is when someone gives their time and energy to help others and does not get paid. It can be done in lots of ways like helping people, looking after places, or supporting local groups.

In York, lots of people volunteer. It means they can do things they like, try new things, meet new people and get skills to help them find a job.

York CVS runs the local volunteering centre. If you want to volunteer visit:  Volunteering Opportunities - York CVS

Making a difference in your local area

Sometimes people work together to make life better in their area. This is called social action.

When people come together to solve a problem or make something good happen, that’s called impact volunteering

Help for people who manage volunteers

The York Volunteers group helps organisations with volunteers. It offers free advice, support and information: Support for Volunteer Managers.

Where to start volunteering

Lots of organisations have information about what you can do to volunteer and help:

• York CVS has a list of local  volunteering opportunities. If you are looking for volunteers you can put information on this list too.
• Live Well York website has volunteering opportunities. See the What's On - volunteer opportunities linkto find out more. You can also click the volunteering button on the website to find out who needs volunteers.
• Ready for Anything (RFA) uses volunteers when there are big emergencies, like floods. This is run by the local Resilience Forum and works across York and North Yorkshire. You need to be over 18, but don’t need special skills. For further information and to register your interest, visit: Ready for Anything.

Volunteering for students and graduates

University of York students can get involved at:  University of York and Students’ Union webpages or by emailing volunteering@york.ac.uk or volunteering@yorksu.org.

Find out why students volunteer and how they can help: six reasons to volunteer .

For York St John students and post graduates see more on the  websites.York St John University websites.

Volunteering through your work

York Cares  helps people from local companies give time to help the community and local people. They match people’s skills to things that need help. It is good for the community and helps workers learn new things too.

Volunteering with the Council

City of York Council has lots of volunteering opportunities for everyone. You can:

• help others
• develop your skills
• get new experiences

Community Health Champions

Community Health Champions help people be healthier and fitter. They get training and support and help people in their local area. 

The Community Health Champions help change local services, get people involved in activities and help improve their local community, families and places people work. They run activities and talk to people. It is a great way to get new skills.

For more information contact healthchampions@york.gov.uk or telephone 01904 552774.

Age Friendly York Ambassadors

Age Friendly York wants older people to be involved in making things better. It wants retired people to help do things that they love with other people, groups, shops, the Council and others.

For more information and to find out about current ambassadors visit:  Age Friendly Ambassador page. Or contact Carl Wain on AgeFriendlyYork@york.gov.uk

Do-it Trust

This website helps people find volunteering opportunities: Do-it website.

Looking for volunteers?

Add your volunteering opportunities to the Volunteering Opportunities page on the York CVS website using the add your own volunteering opportunity link.

If you have a community activity and want to recruit volunteers, say this on the website to help people find what you are doing.