How I Started Volunteering Again: Project 50 Skill

Introduction  

Volunteering, in my opinion, is one of the greatest untapped opportunities and life hacks there is. It’s an accessible way to connect with people on a deeper level, give back, and find purpose and identity outside of your typical working life.

Aside from the social and mental health benefits, it’s also massively propelled my career in a variety of unexpected ways. Over the years, I’ve used volunteering to try out different roles, gain access to different industries and people, whilst also testing out my own business ideas and assumptions. The beauty of volunteering is that it rarely asks for permission. You can carve your own path and unlock doors that were previously invisible due to timing, experience, or access.

During university, volunteering was a big part of my life. It wasn’t until recently that I realised I had deprioritised it, as other responsibilities took centre stage. Looking back, the moments I’m most proud of are those I experienced through volunteering and the wonderful people I met along the way. In this project, I wanted to rekindle that connection, overcome self-doubt, and experiment with new roles again. Project 50 seemed like the perfect excuse to restart.

This article guides you through:  

- The mindsets I encountered  

- How I discovered these new volunteering opportunities  

- The organisations I found  

- How I see my journey evolving  

It also offers practical ways you can start your own volunteering adventure too.

Project Motivation & Objectives  

My motivation for picking this project was simple: to give back and develop a stronger inner confidence, find a deeper purpose in daily life, and connect with like-minded people.

The goals I set were:  

- Contact five different volunteering organisations  

- Volunteer regularly with two or three groups in areas that interest me  

- Use these insights to help inform future career decisions

Research & Preparation  

Initially, my Google searches for volunteering opportunities around Bristol didn’t yield much because I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted or what I could commit to. I was worried that volunteering using my “professional” work skillset would burn me out or make me resent the role. On reflection, these beliefs were unfounded and untrue.

At the time of looking, I was intentionally unemployed and trying to take a break between roles, having suffered a bit of burnout.

Starting this project, I was very mindful of not trying to overcommit, so I started my search by reflecting on what gave me purpose and energy. For me, this always came back to helping myself and others find the courage to start something new and build confidence by stepping outside our comfort zones. I knew I loved teaching and mentoring as well as the outdoors, and could use my experience in early-stage business and career development to help others, so those felt like good paths to initially pursue.

Step-by-Step Process  

Phase 1: Understanding Your Goals  

Consider what brings you joy or energy in your daily life. Notice the topics you love discussing, the things people seek your advice on, or the kind of content you’re drawn to.

Decide how much time you realistically want to commit to a project and what form that might take. These clues can help you find a good starting direction.

Once you have these fundamentals down, that's where the real magic starts!

Phase 2: Searching and Narrowing Down  

Once you know your focus area, it’s time to begin searching!

To find these opportunities, I spoke with friends, attended events, reviewed local community boards, and researched online for inspiration. I’ll post some of the recommended platforms below.

Phase 3: Finding Organisations That Fit  

I explored these organisations:  

- British Computer Society: I joined the committee for a few months, but long-term it wasn’t the right match for my skills and interests.  

- British Exploring Society: This is now one of my favourite charities! I've been to Scotland, Cannock Chase, and even Kyrgyzstan to help young adults from all backgrounds access and experience outdoor adventures. I love that the trips are short and flexible, so I can volunteer around expedition times without committing year-round.

- Bath Entrepreneurs: I mentor students who are looking to build their own start-up or micro-business, both with practical skills but also in mindset and self-belief. 

- WECA (West of England Combined Authority): Enterprise advisor in schools, helping shape career strategies and networking with diverse professionals. I now run workshops and micro programmes, which I’ve since incorporated into my own business.

Skills & Lessons Learned  

I’ve truly enjoyed the voluntary roles I’ve taken on over the past two years. Interestingly, I often find that the advice I give to others is the same advice I need myself. 

Hard skills I’ve learned/ developed  

• Map reading and navigation,

• Presenting skills

• Outdoor cooking and survival

Softer skills that I've developed include:

• Managing/ coaching group conflict resolution

• Furthering my own coaching language and mentoring techniques

• Becoming more assertive and better at expectation setting 

• Understanding when to step in and when to hold off to allow mistakes to be made in a safe environment.

I’m continually inspired by the people I work with every day and have made so many friends along the way. I even got shortlisted for an award, which was exciting. 

These experiences translated into better productivity, communication and confidence in all areas of life. 

Transferable Insights & Advice  

For anyone contemplating volunteering, consider asking yourself these questions:  

- Who or what cause do you want to impact?  

- What skills or experiences do you want to build?  

- How can volunteering complement your personal or professional goals?  

- Don’t fear trying, even a day or a week counts and brings value.

Even if one role doesn’t fit perfectly, it’s a step closer to the perfect match.

Useful Resources  

Join Me:

British Exploring Society: Offers adventurous expeditions focused on youth development, including outdoor activities and leadership.

Bath Entrepreneurs, Elev8 Programme: A community supporting startup founders and students through mentoring and networking.

West of England Combined Authority (WECA Enterprise advisor: a regional body supporting economic growth, including business advisory and career strategy initiatives.

Top Volunteering Boards (UK):  

- Do IT: The largest UK volunteering network with thousands of local and national roles  

- Reach Volunteering: Skills-based and trustee roles for professionals  

- GoodStead: Volunteer your professional skills  

- Volunteering Matters: Community projects nationwide  

- CharityJob: Charity and non-profit roles, including volunteering  

- Goodmoves: Volunteer roles UK-wide, especially in Scotland  

Other Platforms:  

- Volunteero: Matches people with local and national causes  

- Hands On London: Event-based volunteering  

- Neighbourly: Connects volunteers with local projects  

Specialist and Local Options:  

- Trustees Unlimited and Honorary Treasurers Forum: Trustee and finance roles  

- Step on Board, or Pilotlight: Corporate trustee programmes  

- The Big Help Out and Local Volunteer Centres: Community-level opportunities  

- Still can’t find anything? start your own!