Finance & Law...
Below are our articles on the subject of Finance & Law. If you can't see what you are looking for our other categories are displayed on the left under 'Our Quick Links'...
Be a Community Care Volunteer
Due to a high demand for support there is much need for volunteer community care workers. Give your time to help support a vulnerable person who live independently in the community....
Be a Dental Complaints Service Panel Member
Local Dental Complaints Panels comprise one dentist and two laypersons. A layperson is a member of the public and anyone may volunteer, no dental knowledge is required. Panels resolve disputes between...
Be a GP Patient Participation Group Member
GP Participation Groups consist of doctors, other health care professionals and members of the public. Volunteer to take part and have a say in the running of your local GP practice....
Be a Health Services Lay Assessor
Health Service Lay Assessors volunteer from all walks of life. They represent the patients point of view on panels which also contain doctors and other health professionals. They work together to revi...
Be a Local Advisory Health Council Member
Local Advisory Health Councils invite volunteers from the general public. You may be a patient, carer or someone interested in community issues. No medical background is necessary and you will help to...
Be a Voluntary Occupational Therapist Assistant
Occupational therapists work with individuals to enable them to live as independently as possible. Volunteers assist them in practical tasks and work with patients. As a volunteer you can make a real ...
Become a Buddy Walker or Walk Leader
Walking is an accessible form of exercise that helps the heart, lungs and general fitness. Buddy walkers give motivation and companionship enabling vulnerable members of society to get walking....
Become a Voluntary Activities Assistant
Activities assistants support vulnerable groups and individuals in residential and care homes to pass their time in fulfilling ways. You may get involved in a wide range of activities including life s...
Becoming a Community Fundraiser
Volunteer fundraisers help to raise vital money for their chosen charity or community group. From taking part in sponsored activities, organising events and filling out grant applications there are lo...
Becoming a Community Group Facilitator
A community group facilitator works with a group to motivate it and take it forward to achieve its goals. By listening to members, conducting exercises and offering practical suggestions a facilitator...
Becoming a Hospice Volunteer
Hospices provide a caring environment for terminally ill patients and their families. Most hospices are charities and rely on volunteers. There are many roles available from working in Reception or sh...
Becoming a Local Councillor
Local councillors either represent a political party or stand as an independent. They are elected to represent a ward and help to make decisions and influence policies on the local council....
Becoming a Mentor
A mentor develops a one to one relationship with someone to help them achieve the best quality of life they can. Often working with people from vulnerable groups in society they may help their mentee ...
Becoming a Rape Crisis Volunteer
A challenging yet rewarding experience, becoming a Rape Crisis volunteer is an ideal way to help women in your community. But what does it involve?...
Becoming a Youth Coach
Get involved in youth coaching and encourage children to enjoy the fitness benefits of sports such as rugby, football and tennis. Coaches encourage personal development and have a role to play in prom...
Becoming a Youth Council Member
Anyone under 26 can stand for their local Youth Council. Receive training in everything from leadership to presentation skills, help manage budgets and influence local policies affecting young people ...
Being a Police Volunteer
A wide range of roles exist in police volunteering. Volunteers can assist in crime prevention, witness support, working on a station front desk and office work. Police volunteering is rewarding and an...
Best Practice in Supporting Community Helpers
Community helpers donate their time for free. In order to retain them and ensure that they have a positive volunteering experience it is key to follow best practice in supporting them....
Carer Support Within Your Community
Volunteering in carer support involves supporting vulnerable members of society to lead independent lives in the community. Each role is different and guided by the needs of the individual but may inc...
Community Advice: Who Can Benefit?
Community advisers provide information on practical issues to a wide range of people. This can include advise on employment rights, housing and consumer matters as well as debt counselling. Many commu...
Community Allotments: How to Help
Community allotments are accessible to everyone. People contribute according to their skills, abilities and time and reap the benefits of cheap and healthy freshly grown organic fruit and vegetables....
Community Safety Wardens
Help police tackle crime and improve the safety of the local neighbourhood by becoming a community safety warden. This voluntary role helps combat crime and reduce local safety fears....
Community Sport Networks
Community Sport Networks bring together representatives from a wide range of community groups to celebrate involvement in sport. CSNs represent the wishes of local people for the future of sport in th...
Driving and Escorting; Community Involvement
Volunteer to use your driving skills and help vulnerable members of your community to go shopping, make appointments or simply get out of the house and enjoy companionship....
Drop-in Centres: How They Work and Who Can Help
Drop-in centres offer vulnerable members of society a place to socialise. Volunteer and assist with events and activities as well as offering companionship to groups and individuals....
Employer Supported Volunteering
Employer Supported Volunteering (ESV) enables full-time employees to volunteer for a wide range of community opportunities. Gain new skills or practice existing ones in a new environment as you give s...
Employment Opportunities in Community Work
Experience gained by volunteering as a community helper can be invaluable in securing employment in community work. Varied roles available include working with communities, health and social care and ...
Find Your Ideal Way to Help in the Community
This questionnaire helps you to identify your unique skills, interests and preferences for helping in the community....
Finding a New Direction After Redundancy: A Case Study
Following redundancy Lisa Connelly has found a new career path through volunteering as an adviser with the Citizens Advice Bureau....
Fire & Emergency Support Service Volunteers
Volunteering to support the fire and emergency services can be the matter of life and death to someone. Many fire brigades recruit both volunteer and retained firefighters in their local area....
Founding and Running a Community Gallery: Case Study
TOandFOR is a community gallery in Archway, North London. We spoke to Chris Lane, one of the gallery's founders, to find out more about how TOandFOR's projects benefit the local area....
Full-time Mum to Carer Support Volunteer: A Case Study
Sarah Mulvey translated her parenting skills into a volunteer role she loves in carer support. Working with children with learning disabilities has given her new confidence and opened up her horizons....
Get Involved in Voluntary Mediation
Mediators work with families, neighbours and any groups in conflict to resolve disputes. By listening to both sides they help people to work towards the best outcome for everyone....
Getting Fit While Helping the Environment: A Case Study
A sedentary teacher, Joe Lane found a new lease of life by becoming a conservation volunteer with the National Trust....
Getting Involved in Conservation Work
Conservation volunteering offers diverse opportunities to work outdoors and indoors to manage and protect nature and the countryside. Conservation work, countryside skills, habitat management and educ...
Grants for Community Helpers
Grants can be a great way to finance your community project - but they can be hard to find, and competition for them can be fierce....
Helping in Community Gardens
Community gardens are accessible to all. They create green havens in urban areas and anyone from the community can volunteer to help. Not only do they add beauty they also provide safe play areas and ...
Helping on a Home-Start Scheme
If you are a parent yourself you can volunteer for Home Start which offers practical and emotional support to vulnerable and isolated parents of young children....
Helping Others Through Yoga and Pilates
Can you use your yoga or Pilates skills to benefit others in your community? We suggest a few ways in which you can harness the power of yoga and Pilates to improve the lives of others....
Helping Out a Local Refuge
A refuge is a place of safety for women and children fleeing domestic abuse. There are many rewarding ways to volunteer....
Helping Out at Your Local Citizen's Advice Bureau
Get involved in your local community by volunteering with Citizen's Advice....
Helping Out in Schools
Schools welcome volunteers to help in classrooms and elsewhere. Volunteering as a classroom assistant, supporting children with reading and numbers or becoming a School Governor are just some of the w...
Helping Your Community Cut Carbon Emissions
By reducing its carbon emissions, your community can help to minimise the impact of climate change - and make the area a nicer one in which to live....
How Can I Help My Community Through Local Politics?
Local politics can be complicated - but it has a big impact on people's lives. Local politicians can help to change things for the better....
How Do I Become a Councillor?
Becoming a local councillor is an important way in which you can help your community. In order to become a councillor you need to stand for election....
How I Take Part in Neighbourhood Watch: A Case Study
Taking part in a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme can help increase safety and reduce crime in your area...
How to Become a First Aid Volunteer
First Aid volunteers learn vital practical skills in life-saving and supporting injured people. They can assist at accidents, emergencies and public events or provide support in hospitals and to be pe...
How to Become a JP
JPs are magistrates who preside in Crown or Sherrif courts, decide cases and confer judicial sentences. JPs are unpaid volunteers and do not require a legal background. Rigorous training is given for ...
How to Become a Special Constable
Help the police to tackle crime by volunteering as a Special Constable. There is a rigorous application process but those who are successful work with the police to deter crime and have the same power...
How to Become a Ward Buddy
A ward buddy volunteers in a hospital to assist nurses with practical tasks and to support patients. Tasks may include serving food, playing games or giving beauty treatments. The main role of a ward ...
How to Find Out About Local Community Projects
People who want to volunteer as community helpers can find plenty of information sources. There are a wealth of resources on community projects including local councils, libraries and local newspapers...
How to Get Help With Talking Newspapers
Talking Newspapers produce audio and web versions of newspapers and magazines for blind and visually impaired people. They are charities which rely on volunteers for such roles as readers, producers a...
How to Start a Walking School Bus
Walking buses are green, they knit communities together and keep children fit and healthy. We show you how to go about organising one....
How to Support City Farms
City Farms bring the country into the city and are accessible for all. Volunteer and help out with growing fruit and vegetables, caring for domestic animals and traditional arts and crafts....
How to Volunteer in the Adult Learning Sector
Help the estimated 7 million people in the UK who lack basic reading and counting skills. Volunteer to teach literacy and numeracy skills and help people to improve their job prospects, self-confidenc...
How We Created a Community Garden: A Case Study
With a little hard work and determination community gardens offer peace and beauty and can regenerate a neglected urban environment....
I Became a Councillor to Help My Community: Case Study
Becoming a councillor is a major commitment - but it is also a very effective way of providing hands-on support for your community....
I Became a Fundraiser for a Local Charity: A Case Study
Fundraising for a local charity can help it to earn income and gain support. Read about Katy Daniel's experiences....
I Became Coach for Under 13s Football: A Case Study
Becoming a football coach is a responsibility but enables children to learn valuable skills and can lead to professional qualifications....
I Made New Friends at a Playscheme: A Case Study
Volunteering with a playscheme can lead to new friendships as Mandy Williams discovered....
I Volunteered for a Local Museum: A Case Study
Local museums often rely on volunteer help to run valuable outreach programmes in the community....
Inside Community Theatre
Community theatre takes a grassroots approach to performances and shows which reflect the issues of its local community....
Involving People With Learning Disabilities in the Community
There are many ways available to support people with learning disabilities to get involved with their local community...
Litter Patrol: How to Keep Your Community Tidy
Litter is a major health hazard which also detracts from local neighbourhoods, increasing the likelihood of crime. Volunteer to join a litter patrol and help improve your local community and civic pri...
Meals on Wheels
Volunteer with Meals and Wheels and help to deliver hot or frozen nutritional meals to vulnerable members of your community....
My Experience of Skill Swapping: Case Study
Skill swapping can benefit the whole community and forge strong friendships between neighbours. We spoke to seasoned skill swapper, Simon Kenwood, to find out what's involved....
My Museum Volunteering Became My Career: Case Study
Volunteering can often be a good way to kick-start a career - particularly in highly competitive areas like museums and galleries....
My New Skills as a Special Constable: A Case Study
Joining the police as a Special Constable can introduce you to new skills as Dinny Landen learnt....
Neighbourhood Watch Schemes: How to Take Action
Neighbourhood Watch Schemes work with the police to reduce crime, tackle reported crime, increase local security and encourage security spirit. The Home Office has reported that crime is reduced in ar...
Rescue Helpers: Lifeboats
Lifeboats provide an emergency service around Britain's coast. Volunteer as a crew member and help to rescue swimmers and sailors in distress....
Rescue Helpers: Mountain Rescue
Mountain rescue teams provide an essential service in assisting lost and possibly injured hill climbers and mountaineers. If you live locally and have some hill climbing experience then why not get in...
Setting Up a Community Group
When setting up a community group survey need and support, create a committee and constitution and establish the legal status. Seek help from local authorities and councils for voluntary organisations...
Social Enterprises, What They Are and How to Get Involved
Social enterprises are businesses run for the benefit of the community. They invest in local people and channel profits into supporting community projects to benefit society....
Starting a Local Community Group
Setting up a community group is straightforward if you follow some simple steps...
Supporting Local Playschemes
Playschemes mainly operate during the school holidays. Volunteer to supervise children and get involved in activities to educate and entertain them....
Supporting Your Local Samaritans
Volunteer with the Samaritans and provide a listening ear for someone in distress...
Taking Part in Hospital Radio
Hospital radio stations are charities which broadcast news, music, information and sport for hospital patients. Volunteers may collect requests, present shows or work in the studio....
Team Volunteering Employer Schemes
Come together as a team by getting involved in a volunteering project with work colleagues. Your employer may offer a range of one-of or long term projects supporting local charities and community gro...
Ten Easy Ways to Help the Elderly
Helping the elderly can be easy, quick and fun. Here are ten great ideas....
The Role of a Charity Shop Worker
Volunteering in a charity shop is a popular way to help out in your community. Choose to support a host of national and local charities by working as a shop assistant or behind the scenes sorting, pri...
Top Fundraising Tips for Communities
Fundraising is a tough task. You need to think 'outside the box' in order to stand the best possible chance of getting the cash your community project needs....
Using My Complementary Therapies in a Day Centre: A Case Study
Complementary therapies can be a healing and uplifting practice to share with the clients of a day centre. Not only do they pamper, they can improve moods and tackle chronic conditions...
Voluntary Animal Fostering
When someone goes into hospital or has a crisis which means they can't look after their pet you can help out by volunteering to foster animals. Fostering can also help socialise vulnerable strays and ...
Volunteering For Telephone Helplines
Volunteering for a telephone helpline requires good listening skills and an ability to put yourself in another person's place. You will provide emotional and sometimes practical support to help someon...
Volunteering in Your Community: FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are answered here including how to get started as a community helper and how to set up a community group....
Volunteering on Animal Welfare Projects
Volunteering with animals can be therapeutic and gives an ideal introduction to a career as a vet or veterinary nurse. Help out behind the scenes or spend time with vulnerable animals offering them mu...
Ways to Help Youth Groups
Get involved with helping young people in your community. From after school clubs and sports teams to supporting the Duke of Edinburgh's Award there are many ways to invest in our children's future....
What Are the 2050 Targets?
The 2050 targets involve cutting carbon emissions by 80 per cent. In order to achieve them, we need to work together at community level....
What Can Children Do to Help in the Community?
Kids' creativity, energy and enthusiasm make them the perfect candidates for helping the local community. Here are some great ideas for ways that children can do their bit....
What is a Community Helper?
Community helpers give spare time for free to make a difference, have a say and give something back to their neighbourhood. In the process they learn new skills, gain confidence, work experience and a...
What is a Free School?
The Free School project claims to enable any suitable person to establish a school according to their community needs. The project has been controversial - but it looks like Free Schools are here to s...
What is Advocacy? Who Can Help?
Advocacy involves supporting an individual to have their say and obtain their rights. Volunteers in advocacy exist with many groups in society such as people with learning difficulties, people with me...
What is Guerrilla Gardening?
People are beginning to embrace legal guerrilla gardening as a means of making their neighbourhood greener. We show you what's involved....
What is the Role of a Support Worker?
Volunteer support workers provide practical assistance to individuals in day centres and care homes. They assist professional staff to help people to live as independently as possible....
Work- Life Balance as a Hospice Volunteer: A Case Study
Volunteering in a hospice has helped stressed businessman John Parsons re-evaluate his life and find greater balance...