How about something which is fun and useful? Volunteering can improve your skills, enable you to get free training and give you something extra on your CV to impress employers. It’s also a good way of meeting new people and helping your community. There are a range of opportunities available.

Volunteers can do almost anything! From helping an elderly neighbour with their shopping, to providing legal advice for a local charity, volunteers make a vital contribution to all aspects of community life. Volunteering England has many centres across the country – find your local centre to see what opportunities they have.

Do-it has a database of volunteering opportunities near you.

The Prince’s Trust give practical and financial support, and help you develop key workplace skills such as confidence and motivation. They work with 14-30 year olds who have struggled at school, been in care, are long-term unemployed, or have been in trouble with the law. Your local Connexions centre will have details, or you can phone the Trust on 0800 842 842.

Over 150,000 people across the UK volunteer with CSV every year, touching the lives of over a million people nationwide.

Want to go further afield?

Are you aged 14 or over and have a spare week, month, or gap year? Worldwide Volunteering have opportunities in the UK and worldwide.

BUNAC specialises in sending young people aged 18 and over on working holidays and volunteer projects. BUNAC's programmes provide you with all the support you need whilst you travel the world, gain invaluable experience and make friends for life! Programmes last from as little as five weeks to as long as two whole years. You can take part in a BUNAC programme as part of your summer vacation, during a gap year, after graduation, or as a career break.

Lattitude specialises in volunteering experiences overseas for 17-25 year olds. Their programmes have been developed to offer the best combination of excitement, interest, enjoyability, challenge, and positive benefit to you and your host community. On a Lattitude Global Volunteering placement you know you'll be making a huge difference as well as having the time of your life.