Thanks to Obi for sharing his personal insight there. The first paragraph in the following introduction to volunteering is presented with kind permission of The Prospects Group - Shaw Trust which provides a wide range of education, training and employment products and services.
Volunteering is a great way to learn new skills and get a recent reference. It will also get you out and about and meeting new people who may be able to offer you work or recommend you to possible employers. Often jobs aren’t advertised so word of mouth is a good way to find work. Volunteering will also give you an opportunity to prove yourself to potential employers first, which can encourage them to look beyond your convictions and see you as you are now.
As one prison leaver says, 'this is likely to be the easiest way to gain work experience and a reference, so may be something to consider when released. It is worth thinking out of the box, as charities require all sorts of help and it may not just be working on the till in a charity shop that is needed.'
If you decide that volunteering would be the best way to get started in the job market but want to read a bit about the options first during a home leave or soon after you have been released, here are the links to some national organisations that may give you food for thought:
England – www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering
Wales – www.volunteering-wales.net
Ireland – www.volunteer.ie
Scotland – www.volunteerscotland.net
Here are three other websites you may find helpful.
Charity Job – www.charityjob.co.uk
Charity People – www.charitypeople.co.uk
Volunteering Matters – volunteeringmatters.org.uk
Additionally, there is a database covering a wide range of volunteering opportunities in the UK called Do-it. From there you may be able to find something local to you.