Volunteering is time very well spent
By Liberty Vaz Townsend
Liberty is one of our H&F Buzz young reporters
Monday September 26, 2011
My grandmother always said that where much is given, much is expected.
So, when I took a year out of education after taking my GCSEs I thought about how I could spend some time giving something back to others. That's how I became a volunteer with Oxfam.
There are many different charities to get involved with in Hammersmith and Fulham, and it is not hard to find an organisation that fits in with your interests, or which opens up new and unknown environments and experiences to you.
Personally, I love reading and books, and so volunteering for an Oxfam bookshop was something that made sense to me.
It's easy to be put off volunteering for charity by thinking you haven't got anything to offer, but enthusiasm and willingness to make a contribution is more prized than you think. All you need to do to volunteer in an Oxfam shop is to pick up an application form from any store.
Oxfam always needs volunteers, and it's great community service for anyone doing a Duke of Edinburgh Award, or just wanting to get involved with the local community.
I fi rst volunteered for Oxfam last autumn and in the last year I have experienced a range of responsibilities, including sorting and pricing books, working at the till, doing accounts and general customer relations. In a typical four-hour shift you get many chances to be involved in a variety of tasks, and I highly recommend this experience.
Whether it's someone wanting to bulk-buy more than 700 comics, or fi nding out that a book worth over £100 has been donated, the work is interesting and fun.
Oxfam is always looking for people of all ages to volunteer, and there is no minimum number of hours you need to put in. In the last year I have volunteered once a week for four hours and I have worked with many interesting local people of all ages who have amazing stories to tell.
In Oxfam bookshops there are also sections for music and DVDs, and certainly at the Oxfam in Turnham Green Terrace the music section is one of the most profi table, so if your interests lie in that direction Oxfam could use your help. As well as bookshops, it also has clothes shops where you can volunteer, so those interested in fashion can enhance their interests.
I have found this type of volunteer work extremely satisfying and it really helps develop communication skills too. If you are looking to apply to university or will be making job applications, voluntary work is something you can be proud of putting on your Ucas form or CV.
Volunteering for a charity can also open your eyes to issues you had not really thought much about before.
Oxfam has many worldwide campaigns to its name. You can find out more about these and other campaigns on the Get Involved section of the Oxfam website below.
My overall experience volunteering with Oxfam has been an incredibly positive one. So, get volunteering - you won't regret it.
See www.oxfam.org.uk (opens new window).
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and unless specifically stated are not necessarily those of the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.
