We make volunteering accessible for everyone
Volunteer Centre Dorset supports people who may face barriers to volunteering, offering tailored guidance, encouragement, and practical help to get started.
We help people across the Dorset Council area build confidence, gain skills, and feel part of their community through volunteering.
I want support to volunteer
We can help you explore opportunities, overcome barriers and get involved in a way that works for you.
I support or refer others
We can work with you to help individuals or groups access volunteering opportunities and the support they need.
How we can support you
Whether you’re completely new to volunteering, haven’t volunteered for a while, or aren’t sure what might suit you, our team can help.
Explore what works for you
Talk through your interests, skills and what you’d like to get from volunteering.
Find the right opportunity
Explore volunteering opportunities that suit your interests, circumstances and the time you have available.
Take the first steps
Get help making contact with organisations and feel supported as you get started.
Overcome barriers
Work with us to find practical ways around anything making volunteering more difficult.
Ready to find a volunteering opportunity that works for you?
Talk to our team and we’ll help you explore your options and get started.
Everyone's volunteering journey is different
There are many reasons why someone might need a little extra support to volunteer. Whatever your circumstances, we’ll work with you to understand what would help and explore opportunities that work for you.
Young people
Volunteering can be a great way to try something new, meet people, build confidence and gain experience for the future. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help you explore opportunities that match your interests and fit around school, college or other commitments. Some roles have age restrictions, but we’ll help you understand what’s available and find something appropriate for you.
Living with a disability or health condition
Having a disability or health condition doesn’t have to stop you from volunteering. We can talk through what would make volunteering work for you, such as accessibility, the type of tasks involved, how much time you can give or any adjustments you might need. We can then help you look for welcoming organisations and opportunities where your strengths and interests can shine.
Mental health and wellbeing
Volunteering can offer routine, purpose, social connection and the chance to build confidence, but getting involved can sometimes feel daunting. We can take things at a pace that feels comfortable for you and help you explore roles and organisations where you’ll feel supported. There’s no pressure to take on more than feels right.
Looking for work
Volunteering can be a useful way to gain experience, learn new skills, build confidence and strengthen your CV while you’re looking for work. It can also give you recent experience and people who may be able to provide references. We’ll help you look for opportunities that support your goals while fitting around your job search and other commitments.
Returning to the community after prison
Finding the right volunteering opportunity can be a positive step towards rebuilding confidence, developing skills and making new connections. We understand that some roles may have restrictions or require checks, so we’ll help you explore what’s realistic and find organisations that may be able to offer the right opportunity and support. You don’t need to navigate the process on your own.
Getting online or using digital services
Lots of volunteering opportunities are advertised online and some organisations use online forms when people apply. If using websites, email or online applications isn’t something you feel confident about, don’t let that put you off. We can help you search for opportunities, understand the information you’re being asked for and take you through the process.
Older people
There’s no upper age limit on making a difference. Whether you’d like to share a lifetime of skills and experience, meet new people, stay active or simply try something different, there are many ways to get involved. We can help you find something that suits your interests, the time you’d like to give and any practical considerations you may have.
Other barriers to volunteering
Everyone’s circumstances are different, and you don’t need to fit into one of the categories above to ask us for help. You might be worried about confidence, transport, caring responsibilities, language, costs, previous experiences or something else entirely. Talk to us about what’s making volunteering difficult and we’ll explore what might help and what opportunities could work for you.
Supporting someone to volunteer
If you support an individual or group who could benefit from volunteering, we can work alongside you to explore suitable opportunities, understand what support may be needed and help them take the first steps.
Who we can work with
We welcome enquiries from professionals, support workers, carers, family members, community organisations and anyone helping someone else to get involved in volunteering.
How we can help
- Explore the persons interests, strengths and what they hope to gain from volunteering
- Identify suitable opportunities and any support they may need to take part
- Work with you and the individual to make getting started as straightforward as possible
Not sure what the best next step is? We’re happy to talk through the options with you and discuss how we may be able to support the person or group you’re working with.
Contact our team today for a chat, or if you’re ready to refer someone for support, you can complete our referral form.