The event highlighted how volunteering not only allows you to make a difference and give something back to your own community, it is also a great way to help yourself too. You can gain valuable work experience, learn new skills, network, meet new people, get a reference, gain confidence or even change your life! After all, research from Reed Employment reveals that 73% of employers would employ candidates with volunteering experience over those without.
Steve Cranston, Home From Home Care’s Information & Compliance Manager, adds: “Volunteering can be intrinsically rewarding, but it can also help you bridge the gap between education and the world of work. It can also provide an ideal opportunity to learn about yourself, try new things and explore areas you may previously have not considered. It allows you to discover where your real interests and passions are.”
As well as showcasing volunteer opportunities, the Volunteering Expo offered visitors the chance to learn new skills, including an introduction to sign language and a defibrillator training session. There was also an opportunity to make a difference on the day by donating items to the Lincoln Foodbank and Lincoln Hospital comfort bags scheme or by taking part in a local clean-up.
Thank you again to all the exhibitors and visitors who helped to make the event a success. We are looking forward to welcoming you to our next Volunteering Expo at the Social Care Exchange in Spring 2019.