Volunteering Brokerage
What we do
Working in the most deprived wards within Westminster and general volunteering for Westminster Residents intends to;
• Transform lives through volunteering
• Increase the quality, quantity and diversity of volunteering 
• Ensure that VCW has an effective and sustainable infrastructure for the strategic development of volunteering
• Ensure that those people using VCW’s Volunteering brokerage services are supported to go onto volunteering, in particular those referred through the Westminster Works Initiatives/Central London Job Centre plus by appropriately matching them to the right organisation of their interest for volunteering.
What you need to know about volunteering;
What is volunteering?
Volunteering is simple. It’s about giving your time to do something useful, without getting paid. In return you get the satisfaction of time and effort well spent. In addition, volunteering can be a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and gain useful experience. The range of opportunities is huge. Whatever skills and experience you have, there is something that you can do.
Why Volunteer?
Some of the reasons people choose to volunteer have been listed as:
• Make a positive difference to your community
• Learn new skills
• Put your experience to good use
• Boost your confidence
• Gain valuable employment skills and experience
• Get references for a job or college
• Discover your hidden talents
• Feel great about the work that you do
• Meet new people
• Have fun
Types of volunteering opportunities available
Areas of work that you can become involved in include: Animals, Art and culture, Children, Disability, Disaster Relief, Domestic Violence, International Aid, Music, Legal work and many more. So why not come and see something for yourself if you are interested in volunteering Include: Administration work, Advice and Support, Caring, Computing, Counseling, Gardening, Fundraising, Teaching, training, music, Hostel work, languages, Retail and charity shops, befriending & budding, Practical work and DIY, art, driving, youth work and many more.
What you can expect from Volunteer Centre Westminster
- We will do our best to make you feel welcome
- We will treat people of all backgrounds with respect and appreciation
- When you speak with us we will ask you about the kinds of things you like to do, what interests you and what you want to gain from your volunteering experience
We will then use our database of over 800 opportunities across Westminster to match you with suitable organisations and opportunities, We will then give you details of the organisation you have chosen
Case studies
The following are some case studies from volunteers who accessed their volunteering placements through Volunteer Centre Westminster
Irene Volterrani
"As a person who has been adversely affected by the economic downturn, paid unemployment should not be seen as the only way for work, in promoting and maintaining a skill and service base. Accordingly, voluntary work is a viable and sound way to ensure that people are given the opportunity to grow and contribute to society efficiently. I have always been interested in community and volunteering work and I enjoy to see the skills I have acquired over the years to be put to good use, and by supporting such volunteering organisation, I believe I make good use of my skills in a positive and rewarding way."
Barry Ewart
Due to my prolonged bout of unemployment my local job centre requested that I attend a Volunteer Centre Westminster as a possible window to the job market. With in a week of attending I started working one day a week as a volunteer receptionist/ advisor in the centre and have decided to increase my commitment to two days per week. This is because I find that the nature of volunteering takes me out of myself; and working to help place other volunteers in various volunteering tasks gives me a sense of achievement. The position has also enabled me to search the volunteer database for something I would be passionate to be involved with and I have two interviews pending as a result.
A.E. Sahle
I am a qualified Nurse and an Audiologist. I came from Eritrea to the UK in 2002. When I first came to the country I had a lot of problems, the main problem was lack of information, but thank to Westminster Volunteer Centre Refugee Project I have been provided with lot of volunteering opportunities, training, and I found it very important. To get a paid job as Nurse, I need to have the pin Number from NMC (Nurse and Midwifery Council), to get this I have to pass IELTS exam. Therefore I have to work hard to improve my English and at same time I need Hospital Work experience in the UK to get a reference, that’s why I decided to do voluntary work. Recently, I got the information from Westminster Volunteer Bureau Refugee Project and I was invited for assessment selection for the diversity work in the NHS, prepared by RAGU. Now I have passes the interview and waiting to start. My voluntary work helped me to build self–confidence and improve my ability to interact with my local community. Also I have learned new skills, gain valuable experience and improve my English Language Skills. Generally voluntary work for me is a pass way for my future career so far I have achieved a lot from my voluntary work and I suggest others to come forward for.
Get involved
Volunteering is open to all. If you want to find a volunteering opportunity of your choice simply drop in to our centre. No appointment is required!
Volunteer Centre Westminster is open for the public between Monday and Thursday except public holidays.
Opening hours; 10 am to 3:45pm
Address: 53 55 Praed Street, Paddington, London, W2 1NR
Tel: 020 7402 8076
Fax: 020 7402 3124
Email: info@volunteercentrewestminster.org.uk
Website: www.volunteer.co.uk
Or you could contact;
Yohannes Hagos
Volunteering Brokerage co-ordinator
Tel: 020 7087 4351
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