Now you have the reasons why you would like to Volunteer, the tricky part comes next: finding and getting a placement. If you are someone who doesn't particularly like talking to strangers (my hand is raised), then this can be daunting, terrifying and enough to put you off! But stop! Don't abandon this just yet! This is the first new skill you can gain- improve your self esteem and communication! If you are good at talking to strangers then this part is already in the bad for you. Once you've found what youre interested in (I will get to this in a moment), you will wither need to email, phone, write a letter or go to the place in person to show your interest and maybe even fill out an application form. When doing this is really important to show your personality and what makes you you and why this role needs your mere presence. Putting in past experience and skills are good to, but many places are desperate for volunteers and just want to know that your personality will be a good fit to the work. 

But back up a minute because we need to discuss where you can actually go. I live in a small village so using the excuse of "I live to far away from anything" is not going to work. I have two volunteering places in my village alone (albeit this is quite unusual) and there are plenty more out there with your name written right across it! Here is a list of places which you can volunteer in:

• Your Local Sports club
• In school as a mentor or helping out in different departments
• At a local club (eg a drama club)
• A library
• A charity Shop
• A National trust building
• A wildlife sanctuary (or somewhere like the WWT or a zoo)
• A church
• At a care home
• A brownie/cubs group as a young leader
• Reading or singing at a hospital
• For a charity (bucket collections)
• In a kitchen (e.g. at a homeless shelter)
• Front of house helper
• At a community shop or cafe