Inspired to volunteer by the King’s Big Help Out but not sure where to start?  Residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have the chance to find out more about how to get involved in helping their community at a series of volunteer fairs taking place in June.

Organised by Community Action Network (CAN), over 50 organisations will be available across three events, offering people the chance to find a volunteer role they love, meet the great teams behind the organisations and learn more about how they can help.

Drop-in volunteer fairs are taking place on:

• Poole: 7 June 2023 from 10am to 1pm at The Spire, High Street, Poole (behind Wesley’s Café)
• Bournemouth: 9 June 2023 from 10am to 1pm at Bournemouth Library (2nd Floor), The Triangle
• Christchurch: 14 June 2023 from 10am to 12.30pm at Druitt Hall, Christchurch

With different organisations attending each one, people can pop in to one or come along to all three. Pre-booking not required, and all venues are accessible.

Organisations scheduled to take part include the RNLI, Arts by the Sea Festival, Guide Dogs, Age Concern, Dorset Mind, The Parks Foundation, Dorset Family History Society, CAN Wellbeing Collaborative, South East Dorset Community Accessible Transport (SEDCAT) and many more. Full details of organisations attending each event are available at www.can100.org/volunteer.  Users can also search CAN’s online Volunteer portal to find a role that suits their location, interests and time they have available

Amy Collins, CAN’s Volunteering Development Lead, said: “We support over 200 local organisations and charities to promote their volunteer opportunities.  There’s a huge variety of roles available, so if you don’t find one on the day, or you’re not sure what you are looking for, we can help to find the perfect one for you.”

Giving a little time to take part in an activity you love can help to build lifelong friendships, gain new skills, develop self-confidence and above all, have fun!  From gardening to retail and befriending to events, local charities and organisations are on the lookout for helping hands.

Jane, a volunteer driver with SEDCAT, which provides accessible transport for people who struggle with their mobility, said: “To get the most out of life, my advice would be to volunteer for something you love.  It’s easy to find roles that fit around your life and it gives you different experiences.  It keeps you young and you meet such interesting people.  There’s no need to feel lonely or bored.  It also makes you grateful.  Volunteering takes you away from your own worries – by doing something that seems small, you become part of something much bigger than yourself.”

Read more about Jane and other volunteer stories.

For more information contact Amy Collins, amy.collins@can100.org, CAN Volunteering Development Lead.