About this resource
Volunteering can build skills, confidence and connection. This explorer links interests, skills and availability to types of volunteer roles, lists questions to ask organisations, such as support, training and costs, and plans next steps.
Purpose
To help people find volunteering that fits and builds connection and skills.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Community services and case workers. Also relevant for youth workers, social workers, occupational therapists.
Client or participant group: Adults and young people interested in volunteering.
Practice setting: Community, employment and mental health services.
Suggested uses
- Case planning
- Employment pathways
- Social connection goals
- Recovery planning
Instructions for practitioners
- Start with the person's interests.
- Consider transport, cost and accessibility.
- Check what support and training organisations offer.
- Follow up after the person starts.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Write your interests and skills.
- Choose types of roles.
- Plan your next step.
Accessibility considerations
Can be completed verbally.
Scope and limitations
An exploration tool.
Research basis
Occupational therapy models describe how the person, their environment and their activities interact, and how a balance of meaningful activity supports health and participation.
- Law, M., Cooper, B., Strong, S., Stewart, D., Rigby, P., & Letts, L. (1996). The Person-Environment-Occupation Model: A Transactive Approach to Occupational Performance. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(1), 9–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749606300103
- Wagman, P., Håkansson, C., & Björklund, A. (2012). Occupational balance as used in occupational therapy: A concept analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 19(4), 322–327. https://doi.org/10.3109/11038128.2011.596219
- World Health Organization. (2001). International classification of functioning, disability and health (ICF). WHO. https://www.who.int/standards/classifications/international-classification-of-functioning-disability-and-health
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced.
