Micro Volunteering (RB)

Do you want to volunteer but don't have enough time or are unable to commit to a long-term role?

Micro Volunteering is the answer – it’s a convenient and easy way to get involved as it can be done anytime, anywhere, with no commitment to repeat and with minimum formality.  Below is a selection of ideas and links for Micro Volunteer opportunities:

• Be My Eyes - help a blind or low-vision user with anything from checking expiry dates, distinguishing colours, reading instructions or navigating new surroundings. https://www.bemyeyes.com/
• Energy Envoy – Set up exciting projects to promote better energy usage to people across the community and help them use energy more wisely, save money and save the planet. http://www.energyenvoys.org.uk/content/1
• RSPB - Sign up to get simple, fun activities tailored to where you live, and the RSPB will help you discover how to give nature a home on your doorstep http://www.energyenvoys.org.uk/content/1
• Hedgehog Homes - Help hedgehogs when they go into hibernation by creating permanent structures in your garden for hedgehogs to make their homes. https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/hedgehog-homes/
• Instant Wild – Help with the identification of animals in the wild via an app developed by The Zoological Society of London. https://instantwild.zsl.org/intro
• Kissing it Better – Volunteer to sing to elderly citizens on their doorstep, through windows and in the streets to combat loneliness and isolations. https://kissingitbetter.co.uk/get-involved/volunteer/
• Leonard Cheshire 12 Week fundraising plan – Work in local communities to support people with disabilities and give them opportunities and choices. https://www.leonardcheshire.org/get-involved/be-volunteer/social-action
• Loving hands – Join a forum of crafters to knit, crochet and sew a range of items for charities and people in crisis or animals in need https://www.lovinghands.org.uk/wishlist
• Post Pals - Support Post Pals to Post a Smile on a Sick Child’s Face by the sending of cards, letters, emails and little gifts to seriously ill children and their siblings in the UK. http://www.postpals.co.uk/getting-involved/
• YHA Virtual Volunteering - These self-led roles allow you to choose when, where and how you volunteer. They are supported with downloadable 12-week schedules that you can use to help plan your volunteering activity https://volunteer.yha.org.uk/vk/volunteers/my_opportunities_events.htm?eventname=VirtualVolunteering

Follow the links to find out more.  Please let us know how you get on or if you come across any other micro volunteer roles.

What skills do I need?

There are lots of things to choose from.  If you have any of the following skills there is a micro-volunteering role to suit you:

• crafting - creating items for charity
• writing letters and cards
• practical DIY 
• creativity
• computer literate - to help with online data collection and apps