Your 2022 New Year’s Resolution: Get Involved in Your Local Charity

There are plenty of charities in Bristol, all happy to accept volunteers with open arms. If you’ve decided that this year you want to give back to the community, you’ve never had more options to choose from, as there are currently 185,708 charities registered in England and Wales alone.

However, this can be daunting, so first decide which area you want to specifically work with:

• Animals – supporting animals in the Bristol area, including wildlife and pets.
• Arts and Culture – supporting the development of the creative arts in a city well-known for our artwork, graffiti and creativity.
• Community Development – Revitalise communities in deprived areas.
• Education – Supporting adults and children who need extra help with academic work.
• Environment – As climate change continues to become an ongoing threat, preserving our natural environment is even more prevalent.
• Health – Helping charities who are supporting people who are going through health difficulties and funding research to find cures.
• Human Services – Supporting the most vulnerable in society, such as disability charities, elderly support and food banks.

Community engagement group with the Chinese Theatre and Film Society and a group during the City Challenge with St Werburgh’s City Farm.

If you are interested in finding out more about registered charities in England and Wales, you can find more information from The Charity Commission.

Once you’ve decided on the area you want to specialise in, you can find opportunities to volunteer at the Bristol City Council, Can Do Bristol or from Voscur. If you are a University of Bristol student, you can find opportunities from myopportunities. If you would like to advertise an opportunity to students, you can fill out this form. There are opportunities to volunteer both online and in person, so even if the lockdown laws change or you would prefer to work remotely, you have plenty of options.

What are the benefits of volunteering?

Gaining new skills – Plenty of charities allow development for their volunteers and if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can throw yourself into a volunteering opportunity that allows you out of your comfort zone!

Make new friends – As we enter the fourth calendar year of the Covid-19 pandemic, those closest to us have been an important part of getting through. Making new friends with people who share similar interests will allow you to develop your social group

Mental and physical health and wellbeing – Volunteering improves your confidence whether working in person or remote, which will give you a boost to your mental health and wellbeing and physical health can be developed while volunteering in person.

Giving back to your community – Communities have been brought closer together by the pandemic and we can take this new year as an opportunity to support those most vulnerable in our community.

Take on a challenge – Having fun and taking on a challenge allows you to improve your quality of life.

University of Bristol Students leaving Beacon House: University of Bristol

The Community Engagement Team has arranged a variety of activities for University of Bristol students including community outreach with Parkway Methodist Church; the Powering Transformations project with Talent Foundry; and City Challenges with Brigstowe, Talk Club, St Werburgh’s City Farm and Bristol Hub.

To summarise, the benefits of volunteering extend beyond developing your own personal growth and allow you to make meaningful change to your local community!

Phaidra Robinson is the Community Engagement and Awards Officer at the University of Bristol Careers Service. They have worked and volunteered with a variety of charities including St Werburgh’s City Farm, Brigstowe, Bristol Hub, Talk Club, Talent Foundry, Hollyhedge Animal Sanctuary and Books for Amnesty. 

Main photo: Phaidra Robinson

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