BY JACK WELCH

WHILE there are many interesting themed days and weeks of the year, none are as exciting or valuable as Volunteers’ Week, which runs from June 1 until June 12.

For people who give their own time to causes they are passionate about or are helping to keep facilities like libraries and youth clubs open, volunteers provide one of the most invaluable services.

According to the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, there is an estimated £23.9 billion contribution which volunteering makes to the economy.

For young people especially, there are many opportunities far and wide to get stuck into, which help to develop a wide variety of skills, as well as helping you as an individual.

In the six years I have been active in voluntary action, I have been fortunate enough to have seen and met many people, some very well known, in the course of the adventure.

I initially started as a volunteer in a Dorset charity shop, which is often not as bad as the assumptions are about retail, and gave me an ideal taster of what volunteering could offer someone of my age.

The Dorset Young Remembers and Walking in their Shoes projects, from Dorset Youth Association, were two examples of how a combination of learning about our local heritage and positive community relations could make a real difference for everyone involved.

For some who have previously struggled in school, or with their direction in life, activities from these projects, including article writing and graphic design, opened new doors to where talents could be used further in the workplace or other specialised education pathways.

Alongside many new friends across the UK and beyond, I have found great benefit in working with charities to help advocate on issues which I believe need attention and change.

Whether it is on disability or youth voice in politics, volunteers like myself provide the real value to the work of many organisations and there is no better time than to start young.

Finding these opportunities has also become much easier with social media.

Starting locally can often be the most effective way though, whether it be through a college fair or sites like do-it.org.uk.

Volunteering can really be the start of something new.