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Students and kids as volunteers

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    Volunteering is a hugely rewarding experience. When you give your time and effort to help others, you’re making a difference to your community. One little thing can make a big change.

    Volunteering can also help with your career or future study.

    How to start

    Talk to your teacher or your family. They can help you plan and think about what you can do.

    Ask your teacher to see if there’s a student volunteer program at your school.

    What to think about

    Before you approach a volunteer organisation, ask yourself:

    • What sorts of things do they do?
    • Is it something you’re passionate about?
    • Will they need your help?
    • Is there a reason they might not be able to use a student volunteer?

    Types of volunteering

    When you look for a volunteer organisation, think about the change you want to see in the world. For example, you might want to help:

    • end homelessness
    • protect the environment
    • with a sports or fundraising event
    • at a museum or art gallery
    • with an emergency response.

    If you’re under 18

    Plenty of young people volunteer, but not every organisation can take on a younger person. Contact Volunteering SA&NT who might be able to help you find a role.

    Kids can volunteer too

    You could volunteer with your class or your family and friends.

    If you love animals you could help care for dogs, cats, bunnies and other animals at your local animal shelter.

    If you like being with people you could help at a local nursing home.

    If you like nature you could count wildlife or plants to help the planet.

    What you get out of it

    When you volunteer, you can:

    • learn new skills, gain experience and sometimes even qualifications
    • have a real and valuable positive effect on people
    • meet different kinds of people and make new friends
    • feel part of something outside your friends and family
    • try something new, see it completed and feel a real sense of achievement
    • find out what career you want to do.

    Other perks include:

    Check out Volunteering SA and NT's video (YouTube 4.28 minutes) to hear from students and teachers about the benefits of being a student volunteer.

    Student Volunteer Program – we'd like to hear from you

    If you found these student volunteer resources useful or have ideas for us, please get in contact.

    Phone: 8226 3795
    Email: education.volunteers [at] sa.gov.au (subject: Student%20volunteer%20program%20feedback)

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