How Volunteering Can Lead to Employment for Former Prisoners? For former prisoners, finding employment after release can feel challenging, with barriers like stigma, employment gaps, and lack of confidence often getting in the way. Volunteering can be a powerful first step toward rebuilding your life, helping you gain valuable experience, develop skills, and demonstrate your commitment to a fresh start. By taking on volunteer roles, you can prove your reliability, build a strong work ethic, and make meaningful connections that may lead to job opportunities. Programs like Mates on the Move combine this practical approach with training and mentorship, ensuring you’re supported as you transition back into the workforce.
Why Volunteering Is a Smart Choice
Volunteering offers a unique opportunity for former prisoners to rebuild their careers and gain momentum. While unpaid, it provides:
- Work Experience: Hands-on experience that you can add to your resume and discuss in interviews.
- Skill Development: Learn practical and soft skills that are transferable to paid jobs.
- Confidence Boost: Regain confidence in your ability to work, contribute, and succeed.
- Networking Opportunities: Build relationships with people who may recommend you for paid roles.
- Demonstration of Growth: Show employers that you are committed to making positive changes.
Volunteering acts as a stepping stone to employment, especially for individuals who need to rebuild trust and prove their work ethic.
Gaining Transferable Skills Through Volunteering
Volunteering can help former prisoners develop a range of practical and soft skills that employers value, including:
- Time Management: Showing up on time, managing tasks, and meeting expectations.
- Teamwork: Collaborating with others to achieve a shared goal.
- Communication: Learning to express ideas clearly and work alongside supervisors or team members.
- Practical Skills: Roles in cleaning, maintenance, cooking, or logistics teach hands-on skills that apply to entry-level jobs.
For example, volunteering to maintain a community garden builds skills in horticulture, groundskeeping, and teamwork—skills that are highly relevant to roles in landscaping or property maintenance.
How Volunteering Can Lead to Paid Employment
- Build Work Experience
Volunteering allows you to demonstrate your ability to work hard, show up reliably, and follow through on tasks. Employers often look for these qualities, and volunteer experience gives you proof to share on your resume. - Earn References
Supervisors from volunteer programs can serve as professional references, vouching for your work ethic, commitment, and reliability. Positive references can be a game-changer when applying for paid roles. - Prove Your Skills to Employers
Volunteering allows you to showcase skills in action. For example:- Working in a community kitchen demonstrates food preparation and cleaning abilities.
- Assisting in logistics or organizing donations teaches inventory management and attention to detail.
These experiences prove to employers that you’re job-ready and capable of contributing positively to their business.
- Network with Potential Employers
Many volunteer programs collaborate with local businesses and organizations. By showing dedication and professionalism, you may connect with employers open to offering paid positions or referrals. - Gain Confidence and Motivation
Volunteering helps you ease back into a work environment, building confidence in your abilities and motivating you to pursue long-term employment goals.
Where to Volunteer as a Former Prisoner
There are many opportunities for volunteering that can lead to relevant work experience, such as:
- Community Organizations: Roles in cleaning, organizing events, or maintenance work.
- Food Programs: Helping in community kitchens or food banks to gain hospitality skills.
- Horticulture and Landscaping: Volunteering for gardening or groundskeeping projects.
- Logistics and Warehousing: Assisting with organizing donations, packing, and inventory.
Programs like Mates on the Move provide structured opportunities for individuals to gain experience in logistics, removals, and storage. While focused on employment, they create a similar supportive environment where you can build practical skills, confidence, and momentum.
Volunteering and Programs Like Mates on the Move
Combining volunteer experience with structured programs like Mates on the Move can help you transition smoothly into paid employment. Mates on the Move specializes in supporting former prisoners by offering:
- Practical Skills Training: Develop hands-on experience in logistics and removals—skills that employers value.
- Employment Opportunities: Gain immediate access to paid, structured work.
- Mentorship and Support: Receive ongoing guidance to stay motivated and focused on your career goals.
With programs like this, individuals can build on the experience gained through volunteering and move confidently into long-term, sustainable roles.
Steps to Turn Volunteering into a Career
- Choose Roles That Build Relevant Skills: Focus on opportunities that align with industries where you want to work.
- Treat It Like a Job: Show up on time, work hard, and demonstrate professionalism.
- Ask for Feedback: Use feedback to improve and learn new skills.
- Network with Supervisors and Team Members: Let people know you’re eager to transition into paid employment.
- Leverage Support Programs: Combine volunteering with programs like Mates on the Move to build your skills and access employment opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Volunteering is a powerful tool for former prisoners looking to overcome employment barriers. It provides work experience, develops valuable skills, and creates pathways to paid roles by building trust and showcasing your growth. Programs like Mates on the Move further bridge the gap, offering structured employment, training, and mentorship to help individuals transition into stable, long-term careers.
If you’re ready to rebuild your future, start by volunteering and reaching out to organizations like Mates on the Move for the tools, opportunities, and support you need to succeed. With determination and the right resources, a rewarding career is within reach.
