Volunteering can be one of the most rewarding experiences during your high school years, offering opportunities to make a real difference whilst building valuable skills and connections. If you have a mental or physical disability, you might wonder whether volunteering is right for you, or how to find roles that work with your unique needs. The good news is that volunteering can be incredibly beneficial for everyone, and there are plenty of ways to get involved that celebrate your strengths whilst supporting your wellbeing.
Personal development gains with volunteering
Volunteering offers unique benefits that can boost your confidence, expand your skills, and create meaningful connections with others in your community.
Building social connections
One of the greatest benefits is the opportunity to meet like-minded people who share your passion for making a difference. Whether you’re working alongside other volunteers or interacting with the people you’re helping, these experiences create natural opportunities to build relationships and develop your social skills. Many volunteers find that the shared sense of purpose creates strong bonds with their fellow team members, leading to lasting friendships beyond the volunteering role.
These opportunities also help you practice communication skills in a supportive environment. You’ll learn to work as part of a team, follow instructions from supervisors, and interact with people from diverse backgrounds – all valuable skills for future study and work opportunities.
Gaining real-world learning experiences
Volunteering provides hands-on learning that you simply can’t get in a classroom. You’ll develop practical skills specific to your volunteering role, whether that’s event planning, working with animals, supporting younger children, or helping with administrative tasks. These experiences help you discover your interests and strengths, which can guide your future study and career choices.
Many volunteers also develop stronger problem-solving abilities as they encounter real-world challenges and learn to think creatively about solutions. You’ll gain experience managing your time, meeting commitments, and taking responsibility – all crucial life skills that will serve you well in whatever path you choose.
Preparing for future work
Gain valuable work experience that looks excellent on university applications and resumes. Employers and admissions officers value candidates who demonstrate commitment, reliability, and a willingness to contribute to their community. The experience shows you can work independently, follow through on commitments, and collaborate effectively with others.
Perhaps most importantly, volunteering helps you build confidence in your own abilities. As you contribute meaningfully to projects and see the positive impact of your work, you’ll develop a stronger sense of what you can achieve. This confidence boost can be particularly valuable as you navigate the transition from school to further study or employment.
Finding the right volunteering opportunity
The key to successful volunteering is finding a role that aligns with your interests, works with your schedule, and accommodates any support needs you might have.
Start with your interests
Think about the causes you care about or the types of activities you enjoy. Do you love working with animals? Consider working at animal shelters, wildlife sanctuaries, or veterinary clinics. Passionate about the environment? Look for opportunities with conservation groups, community gardens, or environmental education programmes. Enjoy helping others? Explore roles with community centres, aged care facilities, or youth organisations.
Your hobbies and school subjects can also provide clues about suitable volunteering opportunities. If you enjoy art, you might volunteer to help with community art projects or teach art skills to younger children. If you’re good with technology, you could help older adults learn to use computers or assist with digital projects at local charities.
Research organisations thoroughly
Once you’ve identified potential areas of interest, research organisations in your local area. Most charities and community groups have websites that outline their mission, current projects, and volunteer opportunities. Look for organisations that clearly explain their volunteer programmes and seem welcoming to people with diverse backgrounds and abilities.
Don’t limit yourself to large, well-known charities. Smaller community organisations often provide more personalised support and flexibility for volunteers. Local libraries, schools, religious organisations, and community centres frequently need volunteer help and may be more willing and able to adapt roles to suit your needs.
Consider virtual volunteering
Online volunteering has expanded significantly in recent years, offering flexible opportunities that you can often do from home. Virtual opportunities might involve helping with social media content, transcribing documents, providing online tutoring, or supporting digital campaigns. These roles can be particularly suitable if you have mobility challenges or if your condition varies from day to day, as they often offer more flexibility around when and how you complete tasks.
Making sure the role works for you
Before committing yourself, it’s important to ensure the role will be rewarding rather than stressful or overwhelming.
Be honest about your needs and abilities
When you contact potential volunteering organisations, be upfront about your disability and any accommodations you might need. This isn’t about limiting yourself – it’s about ensuring you’re set up for success. Most organisations genuinely want their volunteers to have positive experiences and will be happy to discuss how they can support you.
Explain what you can do well, what you enjoy, and what challenges you might face. For example, you might say, “I’m really enthusiastic about helping with events, and I’m great with people, but I need to avoid roles that require standing for long periods due to my mobility condition.” This helps organisations identify suitable roles and make necessary adjustments.
Start small and build up
Consider beginning with a small commitment, such as volunteering for a few hours once a month or helping with a one-off event. This allows you to get a feel for the organisation and the type of work involved without overcommitting yourself. If you enjoy the experience and find it manageable, you can gradually increase your involvement.
Ask if the organisation is happy to offer you a trial period or casual volunteering opportunity that let you test the waters before making a longer-term commitment. Take advantage of these options to ensure the role is a good fit for your needs and interests.
Know your limits and communicate them
Be realistic about how much time and energy you can commit to volunteering, taking into account your schoolwork, any medical appointments, and personal wellbeing needs. It’s better to volunteer consistently for a smaller amount of time than to overcommit and struggle to meet your obligations.
If your condition fluctuates or you have regular medical appointments, look for organisations that offer flexible scheduling. Many charities understand that volunteers have other commitments and health considerations, and they’ll work with you to create a schedule that works for everyone.
Ensure proper support is available
Before starting any volunteering role, make sure you’ll have adequate training and ongoing support. Ask about induction programmes, mentoring systems, and who you can contact if you have questions or concerns. Good organisations provide clear guidelines about volunteer roles and ensure all volunteers feel confident and supported in their work.
Don’t hesitate to ask about accessibility features at volunteer locations, such as wheelchair access, accessible toilets, or quiet spaces if you need breaks. Most organisations are required to meet accessibility standards and should be able to provide this information readily.
Keen to volunteer in your community but need a bit of support, like help from a support worker? You might be able to use NDIS Core funding under ‘Assistance with Social and Community Participation‘.
Resources and next steps
If you’re ready to explore volunteering opportunities, several excellent resources can help you get started. Many countries have national volunteering websites that allow you to search for opportunities by location, cause, and time commitment. Here are a few examples:
- Volunteering Australia, Go Volunteer, SEEK Volunteer – also check for state and territory based volunteer websites, as well as any local ones
- Tūao Aotearoa Volunteering New Zealand
- Various UK organisations
- Volunteer Ireland
- Volunteer Canada, Je Benevole in Quebec
- Volunteer.gov USA, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps
- UN Volunteers – volunteer opportunities in 150 countries.
Your school’s careers adviser or student support services are also a great place to go. They may have information about local opportunities suitable for you, or be willing to help you find something perfect. They’ll also have some great advice and community networks they might be happy to share.
Community centres, libraries, and disability support organisations often maintain lists of inclusive placements in your area. Don’t forget to check with organisations that specifically support people with disabilities, as they may have partnerships with volunteer programmes or run their own initiatives.
Remember that volunteering should enhance your life, not add stress to it. Take your time finding the right opportunity, and don’t be afraid to try different roles until you find one that feels like the perfect fit. The benefits of volunteering – from personal growth to skill development to community impact – make it well worth the effort to find an opportunity that works for you.
Find out more
You can find more information about volunteering and community involvement on our website here.
