Volunteering isn’t just a way to help others. By boosting your mood and confidence, it can make you feel great, too.
If there’s ever any downside, it’s the challenge of finding volunteering opportunities that fit around your busy lifestyle and the things you enjoy.
That’s where Role of a Lifetime comes in. Launched by ITV and Royal Voluntary Service (RVS), it’s a new campaign to get Brits of all ages volunteering through a cool new platform called GoVo.
GoVo, which is run by RVS with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, lets you browse a huge range of volunteering roles by location, cause, and availability.
There’s a dream role for you, no matter how long you can spare – even if it’s just a day, an evening, or a lunch break!
To launch Role of a Lifetime, Rochelle Humes, Ellie Simmonds, and a host of other ITV stars have turned out to get their fans involved in volunteering opportunities, inspired by the causes they care about. Here’s how they got on…
If they can do it, so can you!
Rochelle Humes knows what it’s like to balance a packed work schedule with being a mum to three children.
Fortunately, she also knows that volunteering doesn’t mean giving up everything else – if you pick a role that fits your life, it’s entirely doable.
In the Role of a Lifetime campaign ads, the TV star shows how you can give back by volunteering in a children’s hospice garden – a role many might not know is possible.
‘I loved playing my part in this campaign, which puts a spotlight on all the incredible roles made available through volunteering,’ says Rochelle, 36.
‘As a working mum, I know how hard it can be to find time – but if and when you’re able, even an hour can have a real impact.
‘Volunteering is most rewarding when it aligns with your passions or skills – finding a role that genuinely interests you makes it easier to stay engaged and make a meaningful impact.’
With five Paralympic gold medals to her name, you’d be forgiven for thinking Ellie Simmonds would opt for something sport-related.
Instead, the 30-year-old hung up her swimsuit and grabbed a lead for a day of dog walking for the campaign ad.
‘I’ve got so much out of the work I’ve done with charities over the years, which is why I’m excited to be a part of this campaign to help more people find their volunteering Role of a Lifetime,’ says Ellie.
‘Whatever your passions, from sport to walking spaniels and everything in between, I’ve learnt that there really is a volunteering role for everyone.’
Too right! Alongside traditional volunteering roles like working in a charity shop or picking up rubbish, GoVo offers a massive selection of unique and surprising options, including DJing, photography, reading bedtime stories or tandem cycling with a blind or partially sighted person.
Or if you’re an animal lover like Ellie, how about fostering a pet?
Former soap star Ryan Thomas picked up the megaphone for the campaign, giving runners a boost from the sidelines (proof, if ever needed, that volunteering can take on unexpected forms!)
‘I’ve always thought of volunteering as a chance to roll up your sleeves, make a difference and have a laugh along the way,’ says the 41-year-old.
‘But what’s really surprised me since taking part in this campaign is all the different opportunities that volunteering offers.
‘It’s amazing to think that you can have a positive impact whilst also enjoying your favourite hobby or discovering a new passion, so I really hope I can inspire more people to give it a go.’
ITV’s resident doctor, Amir Khan, also got in front of the camera for the campaign, having a go at upcycling in a hospital charity shop.
For Dr Khan, it was perfect proof of the way you can fit volunteering around your work – not the other way round.
‘I know loads of people who would love to give volunteering a go but struggle to fit it in with everything else on their plate,’ he says.
‘I also know that volunteering is incredibly good for you too and can help with things like reducing anxiety and increasing physical activity, depending on what roles you choose.
‘So I’m hoping that by taking part in this campaign I can inspire more people to connect with causes they care about and to do something good for themselves too.’
Find your role of a lifetime at GoVo.org
