Volunteering is a great way to increase your self esteme, meet people, increase your experiences and make yourself more employable, … oh yes and help other people!

David Cameron’s Big Society ideas rely on volunteers so he’s keen to get more. I did get the impression New Labour didn’t like amature do-gooders much of the time. There is a theory that we should leave it to the professionals and all that’s needed from us is our cash but I think getting your hands dirty (figuratively or maybe literally) is good for us.

Anyway, to help get more volunteers there is a government report – it is, unsuprisingly, a bit wordy but has some helpful bits.

Here’s the report
http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/unshackling-good-neighbours
and here’s a couple of sites commenting on it
http://www.vsnw.org.uk/news/view/2011-05-17-unshackling-good-neighbours
http://www.wrvs.org.uk/news-and-events/news/Unshackling-good-neighbours