For volunteers

Join a special in-person event celebrating volunteers and community groups across our county.

Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP) are a champion of inclusive volunteering, particularly for individuals with disabilities. With a strong commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering equality, SASP has developed several initiatives designed to make volunteering accessible to all. Central to this effort is the Fit for Work programme , which empowers individuals with disabilities by helping them build confidence, acquire new skills, and transition into meaningful volunteer roles. Managed by SASP’s disability team, the Fit for Work programme provides a supportive environment where individuals can develop their skills practically, build their confidence and ability to work in a team. Through these elements, participants are equipped with the tools to lead, support, and engage in a variety of activities both within and outside the workplace. The impact of this programme is evident through the success stories of its graduates, who have gone on to become volunteers within SASP and other organisations. These graduates actively contribute to various events and initiatives, providing support to other individuals with disabilities and furthering the impact of the programme. Two great examples of Fit for Work graduates who have transitioned into volunteering roles are Tom and Betty. Tom has gone on to volunteer at subsequent Fit for Work courses. By sharing his own experiences, Tom is able to empathise with new participants, helping them overcome challenges and find success. He views his volunteer work as a way of giving back to the programme that had such a positive impact on him. Betty has volunteered at an Inclusive Sports Day organised by Nova Sports , where she assisted adults with disabilities in trying new sports and activities. She also regularly volunteers at the Sedgemoor Stars session, a physical activity programme designed for adults with disabilities. Betty finds volunteering incredibly rewarding, as it has helped her develop her confidence, make new friends, and gain valuable leadership experience. Reflecting on her experience, Betty shares: “I loved Fit for Work; I really enjoyed it. It was really fun, and I got to meet new people. I learnt to help other people and helped people get involved with activities. I learnt how to communicate and work as a team, and this has helped me with my volunteering when I am leading.” One of the key challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when considering volunteering opportunities is the concern that they may not have the necessary support or that their disability may prevent them from participating. Through conversations with participants in the Fit for Work programme, SASP identified that many individuals worry they won’t be able to meet expectations or perform the tasks required. Betty emphasises the importance of being confident when discussing needs with employers: “A common concern for people with disabilities is that they won’t be able to do it or won’t have the right support. Be confident to talk to your employer so they can understand what needs you have and how they can best support you. When you have the right support, you can do great things.” She encourages others to try volunteering, even if they have reservations: “Just give it a go, you don’t know unless you try. You might find something you are good at or really enjoy. Volunteering gives you lots of energy and boosts your social skills, it helps you make new friends”. SASP’s approach to inclusive volunteering has proven to be highly effective in creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Through initiatives like the Fit for Work programme and the Volunteer in Somerset Campaign , SASP has demonstrated that, with the right support, people with disabilities can become valuable, confident, and active participants in their communities. These programmes not only encourage participation but also provide the foundation for individuals to take on leadership roles and make lasting impacts on the lives of others. For more information on volunteering opportunities with SASP, please click here:

"I think more young people should volunteer to help others.”

“I really recommend volunteering to others. It provides a sense of purpose and self-worth while allowing you to meet new people from different backgrounds"

"To be involved with literally uncovering the past is something that I will always be grateful for."

I'm incredibly grateful for all the opportunities and support I've been given; I don't see a future without volunteering now."

"It’s good to know that what you're doing is having a direct impact on people's lives."

“My volunteer work has not only enriched my CV but has also been personally rewarding. It has provided me with opportunities for personal and professional growth, particularly in the enhancement of my leadership skills. Through this experience, I've had the opportunity to forge connections and make meaningful friendships with a diverse array of individuals."

"My own mental health has greatly improved since I started my volunteering and I no longer need a counselor. I have learnt a great deal not only from the group but the professionals that have come to chat with us. I have made new friends and I feel in my own small way am making a difference.

"Thanks to my volunteering, I am busy, fulfilled and feel part of a community that I really care about."

They are more than just a mix of metal, plastic and glass!

I find myself looking forward to my shifts because the feeling you get when you have helped make a stranger feel better by just listening to them is indescribable.

"It has given me a lovely group of friends and makes my ‘bad years’ worthwhile."

I enjoy volunteering with Alive because I can utilise my area of interest and expertise to help others." Mary shares her volunteering story.

“I would recommend that others volunteer as you learn a lot about yourself as well as gaining valuable experience.” Read volunteer, Abby's story.

“It is a great buzz working with the team and meeting like-minded friends."

"I think if you have received help that has been of a benefit to you and established a strong ‘wellness toolkit’, then it’s good to share this with others. So, when Second Step asked me if I would like to become a volunteer, I jumped at the opportunity."

“I recommend that others volunteer as not only is it a great opportunity to be part of something bigger and give back to the community, it also comes with excellent personal rewards."

Read how volunteer, Gill, is making a difference to the lives of local children and parents this festive season.

“I get to meet and chat with some really lovely and interesting people, and I really enjoy seeing volunteers thrive and develop in their role."

Since retiring, Alison Templeton, who worked in a variety of roles within local authorities, has returned to her first love, nature conservation.

Gabi was referred to the Open Mental Health Buddy scheme by her local job club. Due to long-term physical and mental health issues, she is unable to take on full-time employment, but has always been a keen volunteer.

Esmee, a level 3 Animal Studies student at Weston College, started volunteering with Prickles Hedgehog Rescue Centre last year when she was looking for a work experience placement.

Volunteers’ have played a key role in the pandemic response. During an exceptionally difficult year, people from across Somerset have taken the time to volunteer and make a huge difference to their communities.

Today is Power of Youth Day, an annual celebration of the contributions children and young people make through volunteering and social action. Young volunteer, Ellimae, shares her story.

Simon, known as ‘Woody Simon’, has been volunteering with ARK at Egwood CIC for about 2 years. Having spent 40 years working behind a desk, he now spends time in the natural environment, and for him, the experience has been profound. Read his motivational story.

Alex regularly volunteers in the natural environment, and for him the experience has been life-changing. Read his inspirational story.

Guest blogger, Megan Cave, shares her volunteering story

Spark Somerset have produced a special video to say a big 'thank you' to volunteers across Somerset. Spark Somerset have been working to support the volunteering response to the pandemic over past few months, and have been inspired by the huge number of people who have stepped up to support their communities over the past few months. More than 1,300 Somerset residents have registered on Corona Helpers , our partner website that matches people with voluntary activity in their area, with many more volunteering informally to help friends, family and neighbours. With help from members of the local community, and volunteers like you, Spark Somerset made this special video which gives a snapshot of some of the amazing work that has taken place. Want to get involved? Visit our Discover page.

You’re donating your valuable time, you want to get the most out of it, so it’s important that you enjoy and benefit from your volunteering. To make sure that your volunteer position is a good fit: What causes do you care about? You will get the most out of volunteering if you're doing something towards a cause you care about and know that you're having an impact. Think about what interests or excites you. This could be something you enjoyed doing before, or something completely new. Think about what time or skills you can give. With so many opportunities to choose from, it's a great idea to narrow down the choices by deciding what you're willing to give. Get researching! Ask questions. You want to make sure that the experience is right for your goals, your skills, and the time you want to spend. Sample questions for your volunteer coordinator might address your time commitment, if there’s any training involved, who you will be working with, and what to do if you have questions during your experience. Make sure you know what’s expected. You should be comfortable with the organisation and understand the time and travel commitment. Consider starting small so that you don’t over commit yourself at first. Give yourself some flexibility to change your focus if needed. Don’t be afraid to make a change. Don’t force yourself into a bad fit or feel compelled to stick with a volunteer role you dislike. Talk to the organisation about changing your focus or look for a different organisation that’s a better fit. Enjoy yourself . The best volunteer experiences benefit both the volunteer and the organisation. If you’re not enjoying yourself, ask yourself why. Is it the tasks you’re performing? The people you’re working with? Or are you uncomfortable simply because the situation is new and unfamiliar? Pinpointing what’s bothering you can help you decide what to do next.

Why volunteer from home? The benefits of volunteering from home are immense, especially at this challenging time. It is a way of engaging with something you care about, provides vital help, supports communities and is something you can build into the structure of your day. It has great mental health benefits too as it can reduce stress, keep your mind focused on something that interests you and provide a sense of purpose. Providing telephone and online support from home We are helping established organisations to find volunteers, including: The Space , a youth charity in Cheddar, is seeking qualified counsellors who can offer a telephone or online service to young people aged between 13 and 8 years by phone or email. Mind in Somerset is seeking volunteers to help with their Mindline mental health support line, full training and support is given. Marie Curie is looking for volunteers to provide emotional and bereavement support by telephone to families and carers of people at the end of their lives. Full training is provided. CAB South Somerset is offering to train up telephone advisers at the end of April to volunteer with them once restrictions are lifted. Getting crafty! Supporting NHS staff with kit during coronavirus. If you know your way round a sewing machine, then why not help a group by sewing scrubs, hats and laundry bags to be dispatched to local hospitals. Materials such as clean duvets and pillowcases are being used to make these garments for Somerset hospitals and some organisations can arrange for suitable materials to be delivered to you. Taunton Scrubbers are making and distributing scrubs, hats and headbands to NHS and care staff. You can join their Facebook group or email [email protected] for further details. For the Love of Scrubs is a nationwide Facebook campaign supporting people to make kit for NHS staff. They have patterns available online and also a list of hospitals taking these donations. You can join their Facebook group . Knitting or crafting for charities Knitting or making specific items for a charity or for fundraising is a great way to support charities from home, and there is something to suit every skill level. Reminiscence Learning is a dementia support charity in Wellington and their Archie the Scarecrow Project is an intergenerational dementia awareness project that links primary schools and care homes together. If you would like to knit an Archie for the project, the pattern can be found here . Email [email protected] or call 01823 668676 for further information. UK Hand Knitting Association has a collection of knitting patterns and a list of charities that rely on knitters to help them raise funds and awareness of issues. Items include knitting or crocheting squares, blankets for premature babies and elephants, hats and scarves for homeless people, and toys for fundraising. Visit https://www.ukhandknitting.com/knitting-for-charity People-powered research The Zooniverse is the world’s largest platform for people-powered research, with 100 active projects and 2 million people around the world participating. Every Zooniverse project is led by a different research team, spanning a wide range of subjects that include: identifying planets around distant stars ( planethunters.org ) studying the impact of climate change on animals ( s napshotsafari.org ) and plants ( f loatingforests.org ) tracking resistance to antibiotics (Bash the Bug), transcribing handwritten documents ( a ntislaverymanuscripts.org ) and much more! The collective efforts of Zooniverse projects have resulted in over 200 research publications to date. No experience necessary, and there are opportunities for both adults and children. Register your interest at Z ooniverse Virtual Volunteering Instant Wild brings you live images from cameras around the world. Tag the animals to help conservation research. You can get involved HERE . Team up with projects from across the world and contribute to peace and development as a United Nations Virtual Volunteer. Find out how you can team up with an organisations to address sustainable development challenges, anywhere in the world, from any device. You can get involved HERE . Become a remote F Cancer volunteer for charities fighting cancer, and supporting those effected by the big C. Help is needed with a variety of tasks, from website design to social media support. You can get involved HERE . The Princes Trust is a community of online volunteers who use a flexible online platform to mentor young people. You'll support a young person who is looking for work or to start their own business. You can get involved HERE . Here are some more great suggestions, courtesy of Saga Magazine: Mentor children overseas with Granny Cloud. Men and women from across the globe read stories, sing songs and chat with children in India, Colombia, Mexico and Greenland using Skype. Birdwatching with a purpose with eBird. Become part of a worldwide network of birdwatchers. Your sightings contribute to hundreds of conservation decisions and academic papers and help inform global bird research. Map a disaster zone with Missing Maps. Help make maps to inform the relief efforts of organisations such as the Red Cross. Volunteers use satellite images and a drawing tool to mark up buildings, rivers and roads in remote areas that may not have been marked before. Lend someone your vision with the Be My Eyes app. Virtual volunteers can help a blind or low-vision person to go about their daily tasks. Through a live video call, you can help by checking expiry dates, read instructions, and navigate new surroundings. Find out more about these opportunities HERE . Share and develop your professional skills Many charities would welcome support with raising awareness of issues via social media, fundraising, or writing newsletters. You could use your professional skills for a great cause by becoming a trustee or getting involved in the Somerset Skills Bank . We hope this has inspired you to get in touch and see how you can help a charity from the comfort of your own home.