What is volunteering?
Volunteering can mean helping other people. It is also an exchange. You offer your time, your experience or your skills, for which you get something in return.
You might learn new skills, build up your confidence, make new friends, or simply take pleasure in being a part of something or supporting a cause that you believe in.
Volunteering is usually with charities and community groups. It is any activity where time is given freely for the public good: from tutoring learners, to delivering meals on wheels, to doing the annual accounts for a charity.
It can be working closely with people or working with nature. It can be office based, in a community setting or through the Internet.
Before you start to look at the options available in Midlothian and beyond it is important to think about what you want to get out of volunteering. Look at our Getting started section for things to think about or Real Stories for inspiration.
If you know what you'd like to do, and what time you are prepared to commit, check out the available opportunities on our database or call Volunteer Centre Midlothian on 0131 660 1216 or email your enquiry to info@volunteermidlothian.org.uk.
