Many residents want to volunteer but find it difficult to balance fixed schedules alongside work, family life and other responsibilities.
Royal Voluntary Service, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, has introduced GoVo, a free platform designed to make volunteering more flexible and accessible.
The platform brings together a wide range of opportunities, including local, remote, one-off and short-term roles. This allows people to find volunteering that fits around their availability, interests and the causes they care about.
Several roles currently available to Swindon residents show how varied volunteering can be.
At Fitzwarren House in Swindon, volunteers are being sought to support residents in a care home environment. The Care Home Support Volunteer role focuses on companionship and practical help, such as chatting, joining activities, helping at mealtimes or offering a friendly presence.
No previous experience is required for the role. Volunteers are asked to bring patience, kindness and a willingness to make a positive difference, particularly for residents who may feel isolated.
Animal lovers can also get involved through opportunities with UK Spaniel Rescue. The charity is looking for Home Visitors to help assess potential homes for dogs and support the matching process.
The role requires experience of dog ownership, good communication skills, the ability to work independently and access to a vehicle. Volunteers are also expected to have a strong understanding of animal welfare.
Those interested in environmental issues may be drawn to a role with the Marine Conservation Society. Community Presenters are trained to deliver face-to-face talks, online sessions and school assemblies about marine conservation.
The role also involves promoting talks to local groups and networks to raise awareness of the charity’s work.
Alongside these structured opportunities, GoVo lists a range of flexible roles. These include dog walking for people with terminal illness, knitting baby clothes for families in need, supporting young people with visual impairments during exams and helping to run social activities for people living with dementia.
The benefits of volunteering are not limited to the organisations involved. A national survey, Time Well Spent: A national survey on the volunteer experience from 2019, found that 77 percent of volunteers said volunteering improved their mental health and wellbeing.
The survey also highlighted benefits such as increased confidence, skill development, a stronger sense of purpose and improved connections with others.
For anyone who wants to volunteer but feels short on time, GoVo aims to show that even small contributions can make a meaningful difference. Opportunities can be explored online at www.govo.org or through local volunteer centres.
