Volunteer in Bournemouth

Guide to Volunteering in Bournemouth

Whether you are a resident in Bournemouth, are planning a visit to study at university or learn English, or if you live nearby and would like to apply then our guide will help you achieve this. Bournemouth is a fantastic city to both live, visit and volunteer and there are so many reasons why you might want to consider applying. There are opportunities throughout the region including Boscombe, Christchurch, Bournemouth city center, Poole and also more rural areas like the New Forest.

Top Reasons to Volunteer in Bournemouth

Volunteering in Bournemouth is a great way to:

Give back and help others
Get a feel good feeling
Meet likeminded people and make new friends
Help others learn new skills
Improve your own skills and improve employment prospects
Put something back into the local community
Keep yourself active
Make a difference

Types of Opportunities

Animals
Befriending / Buddying
Mentoring Children
Youth Disability Education & Learning
Elderly Environmental
Events Management Organisation
Events Stewarding
Fundraising
Healthcare & at Hospitals
IT / Business
Enviormental projects
There are charity shops located throughout the town and surrounding areas which can't operate without volunteers

Recommended Organisations

Margaret Green Animal Rescue run two rescue centres, one is a 35 acre site in the Purbeck countryside which is home to cats, horses, donkeys, pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, ducks and many more species. The other is located is a rescue and rehoming centre for dogs situated between Blandford and Bere Regis in Dorset. Volunteers are need to help with animal walking, care, feeding, gardening, maintenance and fundrasing.

Questions to Ask Before Applying

What do I enjoy doing?
What skills do I have?
What skills do I want to learn?
How much time can I give?

Start Dates & Duration

There are flexible opportunities where you could volunteer for a few hours a day, week or month. You can contact our recommended organisation, apply today and then join at any point throughout the year.

Eligibility

Every organisation is different requirements and eligibility criteria, most will require you to be aged 18+ but there are other opportunities for families, childrem 16 and 17 year olds. If you are planning to volunteer with children or vulnerable adults you will usually be required to have a police or background check.

How to Volunteer in Bournemouth at Christmas

Do you live in Bournemouth or are you going to spend time there over the festive period and would you like to spend your Christmas and holiday break doing something rewarding? Consider helping a local charity and volunteering your time to help other people within the local community.

There are lots of local organisations and charities based in Dorset around the Bournemouth and Poole area accepting help during the busy Christmas period and you can give back and help. Some organisations are flexilble and allow you to help for a few hours, half a day or longer. You will find it difficult to get paid positions, these operations and events are aimed at helping poor or vulnerable members of the socity from charities who are run on shoe-string budgets, you will feel real gratitude helping and this is a great way to have a sense of acomplishment and meet kind people.

Please note no previous experience is needed but you will need to independently make your way to the volunteer centre. Below we have put together some useful information and contacts to get your started.

The following charities are looking for assistance during the festive period:

Winton Salvation Army
We have a Christmas Day party here which is staffed by volunteers who give half or full day to help in the kitchen or serve the guests. The party is for 100 people who would otherwise be on their own and they are collected from their homes in cars given Christmas meal, entertainment and friendship and then taken home again. We also need volunteers who would be willing to use their own cars to collect the guests.

Branksome Salvation Army
Volunteers are need to help transport people to and from their free Christmas lunch on Christmas Day. The lunch starts at 12.15pm and will finish by 3pm.

Hope for Food
A local soup kitchen is running a community Christmas meal on 24th December at 5.30pm. You may wish to visit their Facebook page to find out more information: www.facebook.com/HopeForFood

Bournemouth Churches Housing Association (BCHA)
Offer supported accommodation to vulnerable people and two of their schemes are looking for volunteers over the Christmas period:

Lansdowne Gardens
Supporting Adults with a range of vulnerable support needs

Fortuna House
Supporting Young People during the festive period

Poole Outreach Support Team (POST)
Looking for volunteers to assist with their morning outreach work. The main need is likely to be for Morning Outreach (6am-8am).

The best way to apply is to search and contact these organisations or even search out more opportunities locally.