r/Glasgow Tools

Title
Author	IrnBruDependant
Comment	Please, please, please don't volunteer for Cancer Research. There's a lot expected from you for a position that doesn't pay, and keep in mind they actually hire people to do the same job. I worked there for a while and felt weird about being in at the same time as an older lady who was doing 8 hours shifts for free. They're also pretty shady anyway, so avoid at all costs. If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Depending on your age, MCR Pathways could be a good start? They list you as a mentor for vulnerable kids, set you up with a PVG and you spend an hour a week helping out young people, basically guiding them on their next steps in life. Really good if you want to go into education or social work/care. Quarriers do a similar programme, but I had a bad experience with them as a kid, they might have changed so do some research on both! Food banks are also a good place to start. I imagine they need help with fundraising, checking stock, organising the centre and helping the people who show up, you could maybe ask them if they need some help? Sign up for [volunteerglasgow.org](https://volunteerglasgow.org) \- they will keep you updated on volunteer opportunities across the city, most places are only too happy to have an extra set of hands to help out, and if you help out regularly enough with them, you could maybe ask if they would be willing to give you a reference for a job. It all counts towards your CV, keep a note of everything you do. If you're simply looking for work though, and looking for stuff to put on a CV, please try a job centre. Most people view them as just somewhere you go to keep claiming UC or prove why you can't work, but if you genuinely want to work, they can help you out. They have a list of courses available, apprenticeships and short term work commitments that could lead to a permanent position. Also a good tip is to show up looking quite smart, they tend to take you a little more seriously (unfortunate because I know how comfortable joggies and a baggy hoodie are). Good luck!
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/xx2q3y/places_to_volunteer/ira2q7i/
Created	Thu 6th Oct 2022 2:39pm
Status	normal ()

Please, please, please don't volunteer for Cancer Research. There's a lot expected from you for a position that doesn't pay, and keep in mind they actually hire people to do the same job. I worked there for a while and felt weird about being in at the same time as an older lady who was doing 8 hours shifts for free. They're also pretty shady anyway, so avoid at all costs.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? Depending on your age, MCR Pathways could be a good start? They list you as a mentor for vulnerable kids, set you up with a PVG and you spend an hour a week helping out young people, basically guiding them on their next steps in life. Really good if you want to go into education or social work/care. Quarriers do a similar programme, but I had a bad experience with them as a kid, they might have changed so do some research on both!

Food banks are also a good place to start. I imagine they need help with fundraising, checking stock, organising the centre and helping the people who show up, you could maybe ask them if they need some help?

Sign up for [volunteerglasgow.org](https://volunteerglasgow.org) \- they will keep you updated on volunteer opportunities across the city, most places are only too happy to have an extra set of hands to help out, and if you help out regularly enough with them, you could maybe ask if they would be willing to give you a reference for a job. It all counts towards your CV, keep a note of everything you do.

If you're simply looking for work though, and looking for stuff to put on a CV, please try a job centre. Most people view them as just somewhere you go to keep claiming UC or prove why you can't work, but if you genuinely want to work, they can help you out. They have a list of courses available, apprenticeships and short term work commitments that could lead to a permanent position. Also a good tip is to show up looking quite smart, they tend to take you a little more seriously (unfortunate because I know how comfortable joggies and a baggy hoodie are).

Good luck!