Issue 19 - April 2012 (PDF) - Chipping Norton Times

22
Virtual volunteering
From YouthNetUK online, on Facebook, Twitter & You Tube
Volunteering is moving online. Not just through websites like doit.org.uk
that enable you to search and apply, but with
opportunities that can actually be done from your computer at
home or work.
Here at YouthNet (the charity behind do-it.org.uk) we have
several volunteering opportunities that require you to come to
our London offices only occasionally or not at all.
Journalists and bloggers
We're always looking for people to contribute YouthNet's
websites: do-it.org.uk and TheSite.org. For example, you could
write a rant or diary for TheSite.org, or apply to be a blogger on
do-it.org.uk. If you've got some experience you could even
write a full-length feature.
Karin Modig wrote several articles for do-it.org.uk.
"Volunteering as a journalist has been a great opportunity for
me to practice my skills," she says. " I learned about editing and
publishing online. Plus, because it's flexible, I was able to carry
on with my job as well."
Modding
TheSite.org also needs moderators to help run their popular
Discussion boards. Covering a wide variety of topics, the boards
are a place for young people to share their experiences and
make their views heard.
The role of a moderator is divided into two different areas:
making sure that inappropriate posts are dealt with, and
providing information and support to users.
As YouthNet's Communities Manager, Jim Valentine, explains,
it's a great chance to develop your skills. "Being a mod is all
about being a facilitator. The skills involved include
understanding the views of others and defusing potentially
inflammatory situations."
Peer advice
Another YouthNet project, askTheSite, also has online
volunteering opportunities. However, for their peer advice
project you do need to be able to come to training at our
London office (and you must be 18-29 years old). askTheSite
deals with questions: sexual health, general health, mental
health, housing, legal and rights, money and relationships
issues. In a new pilot scheme, volunteers are being recruited
and trained to answer questions in the relationships section.
It requires a reasonable time commitment - about 4-5 hours
per week, but volunteers will gain new skills in web
communication, web journalism and providing online advice as
well as receiving a comprehensive training programme in
online peer advice.
Not all the opportunities listed in this article are available at all
times. Check online for the latest information - YouthNet
YouthNet is the UK’s first
exclusively online charity. We
guide and support young
people, enabling them to make
informed choices, participate in
society and achieve their
ambitions.