Holidaying at home, or got time to spare this summer? Why not try volunteering – or micro-volunteering.
Kirklees Volunteer Centre, based in New Street, Huddersfield, has a wide range of seasonal volunteer opportunities. Some require only a couple of hours or less a week, while others are one-offs or longer-term projects.
The centre lists all volunteer opportunities on its website volunteeringkirklees.org.uk and in the window of its offices. Posts are changed on a regular basis and, as manager Sharron Wilkinson, says: “We are getting new requests in every day and there are some really interesting things people can do. There are group volunteering activities and opportunities to give just a couple of hours – all sorts.”
Volunteering is popular with school leavers and students who want to gain practical experience for their CVs, but it also attracts people of all ages who simply want to give something back. The centre gets 5,000 enquiries a year from would-be volunteers.
Here’s a sample of the activities on offer.
Have a happy hour in the park
Give just an hour of your time to help out at the Park Run in Greenhead Park. These popular organised events take place every Saturday morning from 9am. Contact the organisers through huddersfieldhelpers@parkrun.com There is also a park run in Oakwell Hall Country Park, contact oakwellhelpers@parkrun.com
Say cheers for charity
Bring your friends to a cheese and wine ‘do’ at the Age UK office in New Street, Huddersfield. While drinking the wine and eating the cheese you and your team of one-off volunteers will sort bags of clothes and accessories for the charity shop. Contact Jan on 01484 514734.
Be snap happy for Oxfam
Oxfam’s online hub in Batley needs keen photographers to take pictures of clothing, accessories and household goods for its online shop. The warehouse in Mill Forest Way also needs sorters. Tea and biscuits will fortify you and there will be an opportunity to shop as well. Contact h.rothwell@oxfam.org.uk
Get active in Lindley
The Friends of Community Activity in Lindley need volunteers to help organise events and activities for local people. Contact T Howard Firth on 01484 658828 or mail@thfsnhudds.plus.com
Mine a museum experience
There are summer taster roles available at the National Coal Mining Museum near Wakefield for volunteers to engage with visitors. Email sallyann.burley@ncm.org.uk or call 01924 848806.
Help others to help out
Assist disabled young people and their carers in a community volunteering project on August 24 and 25 with Can Do West Yorkshire, Leonard Cheshire Disability and the Canal & River Trust. Tasks will include painting, fencing and planting. Contact anna.dawson-jones@leonardcheshire.org or call 07753 430203.
Join a reading group
Volunteering Kirklees is looking for people over 18 interested in giving two hours of their time to get involved with reading groups in care homes, community groups and libraries. Contact chris@vkirklees.org.uk or call 01484 519053.
