Learning and skills development
Continuing your learning journey as an adult will have a positive impact on many areas of your life.
How we live and work is changing all the time: advancements in technology, changes in society, family commitments, our health and wellbeing and the culture of work all affect the way in which we work and live.
Keeping up with changes can feel daunting, especially if you have been out of work or education for a long time.
Across the city there are arrange of training providers, further education settings and organisations that provide community learning courses.
Whether you are looking to enrol in to full time formal education, part time courses, pursue a hobby, get self-employment support, develop your skills or build on existing knowledge and interests there is something for everyone here in Preston.
What are the benefits to volunteering?
Make a difference to the lives of others
Gain new experiences
Create connections with people
Build on career opportunities
Develop skills
Increase social and relationship skills
Increase self-confidence skills
Provide a sense of purpose
Feel valued and part of a team
Reduce social isolation
Provide a route to employment
Tips to consider getting started
First, ask yourself if there is something specific you want to do.
For example, do I want…
to improve the neighbourhood where I live
to meet people who are different than me
to try something new
to do something with my spare time
to see a different way of life and new places
to have a go at the type of work I might want as a full-time job
to do more with my interests and hobbies
to share something I’m good at
Having answers to these questions will help you narrow down your search.
Source: World Volunteer Web
Where can I volunteer?
Locally there are a range of organisations that are actively seeking volunteers to enhance their services and provide opportunities for people who are looking to increase their skills, experience and support their communities.
Lancashire Volunteer Partnership
The Lancashire Volunteer Partnership provide opportunities for people to make a real difference in your local community.
Emmaus
If you care about homelessness and want to do something about it then pledge your support to Emmaus Preston.
You can make a difference to the lives of people who have experienced and are now supported at our Preston community.
The Foxton Centre
Whether it’s chasing up people, helping to organise an event, distributing posters, recruiting fundraisers and much more, there’s a role for you.
You can volunteer as a one off or on a regular basis so get in contact and discuss what you would like to do.
Caritas Care
Caritas Care have many different volunteering roles across the organisation depending on the type of work you want to do and the times you are available.
Even if you can only offer a few hours a week (on a regular basis) they can usually find a mutually beneficial role that will help the charity to reach its goals, and you to reach yours.
Sue Ryder Retail Limited
Being a Sue Ryder volunteer is a great way to gain skills, meet new people, take an active role in your community and could even help you develop a career in the charity sector.
As a Sue Ryder volunteer you’ll develop your skills and experience, make new friends, and have a really good time along the way.
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust
Currently around 700 people donate their time to support staff to deliver the very highest standards of care with compassion.
Volunteers undertake a wide variety of roles, from running the coffee shops to helping patients and visitors find their way around.
Do it online
Do it online lists over 1 million volunteering opportunities that are posted by volunteer centres, national/local charities and voluntary groups.
Enabling 200,000 people every month to donate their time and build their skills, Do-it ensures that almost 70,000 organisations find the help they need to provide vital services to the community.
Lancashire Care Foundation Trust
Volunteers play an important role in the Trust by providing non-clinical support to healthcare professionals.
Anyone over the age of 16 years can volunteer. If volunteering for mental health services you need to be 18.
The Trust welcomes everyone to bring their own experience to the volunteer services programme.