Are you looking for ways to develop new skills? Get some new experience to help your CV stand out? Perhaps you’re looking for a new direction for your career?
In today’s competitive job market, recruiters are looking for the top candidates who can show a wide breadth of experience and skills.
If you’re feeling a bit stuck in a career rut or in need of a new challenge, volunteering via Media Trust might be a good way for you to explore fresh opportunities, develop skills and try out some new ideas.
Over 70% of volunteers are from London…
Media Trust matches volunteers with marketing and communications skills with charities looking for help with these kinds of issues. You could use your skills to help a small international development charity come up with a digital marketing strategy, perhaps work with a local community group come up with ideas for marketing their training programme, or advise a youth project on branding. Although Media Trust works across the UK, more than half of all the charities that approach us looking for help are based in London, and over 70% of our volunteer advisers are from London too.
It may be that these are things you do in your every day job – but equally there may be things you’d like to try your hand at, or gain some experience in. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to share some of your skills and time with charities that really need the help.
Here’s a few of the current volunteers talking about what they’ve got out of volunteering:
“It’s nice to work on something that actually has some impact in the real world. It’s nice to be involved in something that affects real people. You can learn new things, meet interesting people, and use it as an opportunity to try new things and to hone your skills.”
Stephen Morris, Volunteer Adviser, London More
“It helps provide precious exposure for charities that do amazing things that people just don’t hear about. As for volunteers, it’s a fantastic opportunity to offer something constructive and positive in the community and feel like you are making a difference. As a creative person I found it inspiring to discover these amazing people and I think I’ve gained a much greater respect for selfless nature of what they were doing.”
Ben Witt, Volunteer Adviser
“Media Matching was an eye-opener for me and made me realise that I take a lot for granted in my day job. It also forced me to think on the spot about how I could use my marketing skills to help to generate results with the limited resources such as budgets or customer (supporter) data that many of the charities have.”
Christopher Smith, Volunteer Adviser
Whatever interests you, whatever skills you have or want to develop, and however much time you can give, Media Trust can probably find you your perfect volunteering opportunity, to help you gain experience, challenge yourself and get ahead.
To get involved, visit www.mediatrust.org/media-matching-2, email mediamatching@mediatrust.org or call 020 7871 5654.
May 1, 2012
A word from Phil Preston on the latest London membership survey
by CIM GLR
in Chairman's comment, Events, Mentoring, Research, Studying
The results of the latest membership survey are in and the Greater London Region has had its say … well at least 348 of you.
So if their views are representative what you want most from the Institute is to be “kept up to date” and to have access to a range of career development tools and marketing resources, including The Marketer which is one of the top rated membership benefits. Opportunities to network are also important.
Whereas 16% of members nationally felt it important for the Institute to offer a mentoring or coaching service, 24% of London members put this on their wish list. GLR is in fact one of only two regions in the UK currently operating such a scheme – if you want to know more then take a look here.
So it would seem the London region is pretty much in tune with its members, but that doesn’t mean we can rest on our laurels. If you think we can do more then let me know at philippreston@cim.co.uk
Incidentally, the real shocking news from the survey was that there are still 5% of members who do not use social media!
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