On Do IT, well written and clearly expressed opportunities are far more likely to attract potential volunteers. Time spent writing opportunities will pay off in the long run.

Writing Opportunities

An opportunity on Do IT has to attract people’s attention in just a few seconds. If it looks interesting, they will click through from more information.

The title is the first thing people will look at – does it capture what the role involves? Use a descriptive, eye-catching title, but try to avoid generic words such as “volunteer”.

Start the opportunity description by making clear what the benefit is to the volunteer.

What skills will they develop? Who will they be working with? What benefits will their volunteering bring to the organisation as a whole? How much fun will they have?

Then set out what is required, including an idea of the time commitment.

Keep sentences and paragraphs short and aim to keep the word count down. Always check spelling. It can help to think in terms of a paid job advert – i.e. really try to sell the opportunity.

A Second Opinion

If possible, get someone else to read through what you have written. Ask them if it makes sense, if there are any mistakes and if they have any suggestions for improvements.

Examples

1.

Lunchtime Assistant

Volunteers are needed to help lay the table, serve lunch and wash up.

This might be better expressed as:

Lunch Club Helper 

Make friends over lunch. Our friendly stroke club needs volunteers to help with lunch time duties and to socialise with members.

2.

Shop Assistant

Homelessness charity works to give people a chance to help themselves. We run outreach, hostel and support services. We need volunteers to help in our charity shop.

This might be better expressed as:

Retail Assistant

Are you keen to start a career in retail? Our busy shop needs an enthusiastic assistant to help sort, select and sell. Profits go towards our work helping homeless people to help themselves.