Volunteer Drop-In Sessions

Confused about all the volunteering options? Don’t know where to start looking?

Perhaps you would just like to spend time talking things through on a one to one basis?

We have just the thing for you

The Volunteer Centre holds regular monthly drop-in sessions in Hythe, and occasional drop-ins in New Milton, Lymington and Ringwood. We also attend Job Centre Plus Employment Fairs and Volunteering events across the New Forest. The sessions are run by experienced volunteers called Ambassadors or the Volunteer Centre Coordinator.

These staff will spend time with you; answering any queries you may have and helping you select volunteering roles especially suited to you and your requirements. They will also help you search our online database of over 250 roles as well as helping you registering for an account. They can also advise you how to approach your chosen charity and help you complete any application forms.

Information can be emailed or posted if preferred.

Volunteer Drop-in Dates and Contact Points

Ringwood Library

Please phone or email for an appointment.

New Milton Library - 10:00am - 12:00noon

Please phone or email for an appointment.

Hythe Library - 10:00 am to 12:30 pm

No need to make an appointment – just turn up!

  • Tuesday 14 January 2020
  • Tuesday 11 February 2020
  • Tuesday 10 March 2020
  • Tuesday 14 April 2020

Lymington St Barbe Museum Cafe 

Please phone or email for an appointment.

Upcoming Events

Sunday 26th January 2020:

Visit our stand at the New Forest Volunteer Fair 2020, along with nearly 50 other charities it’s the largest event for volunteering in the New Forest. The event is held in Lyndhurst Community Centre from 10.30 until 4.00pm. Entrance is free.

For more information see here: https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/communities/get-involved/volunteering/volunteer-fair/

Friday 13th March

Visit our stand at The Lymington Job Centre Jobs Fair between 10.00 and 2.00pm at The Lymington Centre, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9BQ

Meet the Volunteer Ambassadors

Viv at Hythe

Viv (pictured right) has plenty of experience working with volunteers, having managed the Test Valley Volunteer Centre for a good number of years.  Her passion for helping people volunteer shines through as she is a volunteer herself, running the monthly Hythe Drop-In. Viv has a wealth of knowledge about the local area and beyond and is always ready to welcome people and help them find the perfect role.

Geoffrey: Events Support

Geoffrey has had a long and varied involvement in volunteering. Giving up his time to be involved in a large number of community events and projects including driving mini-buses, giving school talks for the RNLI, supporting the Stable Family Home Trust and DJ-ing for Hope FM. He’s even spent time as a Town Councillor.

Geoffrey believes in the power of volunteering both for the individual and for the wider community. For him it’s about meeting people and helping them to connect to the role that’s right for them.

“After all, it’s not about the money” he jokes, “if it was I’d be rich by now, but it is about feeling valued. I like enjoying the sense that I’ve done a good job and that it’s made a difference.”

Geoffrey runs the drop in sessions monthly at Ringwood and New Milton. So why not stop by, say hello and find out more.

So what next?

  • Visit our monthly drop-in at Hythe or see us at an event, and chat to Geoffrey or Viv our Volunteer Ambassadors
  • Check out over 250 volunteer roles in your area at https://www.cfnf.org.uk/volunteering-opportunities-new-forest/ where you can browse by volunteering interest, activity or keyword. You can also apply for roles directly online.
  • Book a group visit for your organisation to find out more about volunteering.
  • If you are a charity or a community group you can also book a visit to discuss how we can help you to recruit volunteers.
  • Or contact Lorraine, your friendly Volunteer Coordinator, on 01425 482773 or email vol.bureau@cfnf.org.uk

Volunteer Section