Icon: opinions from people who have been there and done it
   

Doers

CAN WE BAN THE WORD, 'volunteering'? Volunteering is what happens in the Scouts - and then, you're usually 'volunteered'. Helping a charity is very different, and there should be something in it for you. But don't take our word for it...

It's all about you

Angela Wigford A FAILED VOLUNTEERING PROJECT in Nigeria 15 years ago made Angela Wigford realise that to be an effective volunteer, you have to put yourself first. More

Real men... join in

Marcus Duran WITH HIS CHISELLED LOOKS Marcus Duran does not worry about compromising his masculinity through his voluntary work. However he admits he is aware of the tendency to see volunteering as girlie stuff. More

Trial by volunteering

Milly Turner THIS WAS NOT VOLUNTEERING. It was bloody hard work. Milly Turner went through six days of residential training before she was let loose at The Samaritans... More

Volunteering as a career

Helen Bryer  VOLUNTEERING CAN BE a career move. Helen Bryer wants a job with an aid charity. But getting one requires some effort.... More