The Volunteer Centre is a service of Hastings Voluntary Action that has been set up to assist people who want to volunteer by putting them in contact with appropriate voluntary, community or statutory organisations or groups that need the help of volunteers.
The Volunteer Centre Organiser Rose Austen will help prospective volunteers to identify their skills, talents and abilities and where these can best be used.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers are people who, unpaid and of their own free will, contribute their time, energy and skills to benefit other people in the community, or to improve and protect the environment.
Who can volunteer?
Volunteering should be open to all sections of the community and Hastings Volunteer Centre works to enable anyone who wants to volunteer to do so.
What can voluntary work offer?
There are many positive things to be gained from volunteering:-
Meeting people and making new friends
Developing new skills
Making a positive contribution to your community
Gaining confidence and a sense of achievement
Using existing skills
Work experience and a chance to gain references
How much time will it take?
Volunteering does not necessarily demand a large time commitment. Around three hours a week is the average. In fact it’s not a good idea to over-commit yourself initially. However, it is very important to be reliable – people may be depending on you.
Will I be worse off financially?
Most organisations pay travel and other expenses that may be incurred while you are volunteering, on production of evidence of expenditure.
What about my benefit?
Volunteering should not affect your benefit. People on JSA can do as much voluntary work as they want as long as they remain available for and are actively seeking work. Those receiving Income Support or Incapacity Benefit can volunteer as long as they are not receiving any money other than reimbursement of actual expenses. However it is compulsory to inform your adviser that you have started volunteering.
What can I do?
There is a very wide range of areas of interest and type of activity that volunteers can get involved in depending on what’s available in your locality. The following are some examples:-
Areas of Interest
Animals
Art and Culture
Children
Disability
Elderly
Environment
Families
Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transsexual
Health, Hospitals and Hospices
Homelessness and Housing
Mental Health Mentoring
Race, ethnicity and refugees
Sport
Youth
Type of Activity
Administration,
Advice, information and guidance
Befriending and Buddying
Campaigning and lobbying
Community Work
Computers and website design
Counselling
Driving
Fundraising
Marketing, PR and media
Mentoring
Practical work
Trusteeship and committee work
Youthwork
How do I start?
If you have time to spare and you think people could rely on you for help, contact Rose Austen at the Volunteer Centre for a confidential interview.
The Volunteer Centre is located at 32 Priory Street, Hastings. Opening hours are between 9.30 am – 2.30 pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The Volunteer Centre does not operate a ‘drop-in’ service so please make an appointment.
Rose can be contacted about volunteering on 01424 446060/444010, by post or through the contact form on this website. Outside normal opening hours an answerphone service is in operation so please leave a message.
If you have mobility problems an interview can be arranged at 31a Priory Street, which has a ramp and accessible toilets.
Voluntary Opportunities can also be accessed by visiting the national volunteering website at www.do-it.org.uk where you can search for opportunities in your local area. Recent opportunities notified to the Volunteer Centre can be found on our Volunteering Opportunities page or by using the do-it search box
