Free Time

Use this page to find out about lots of different ways to get out and about, see new places, meet new people and learn lots of new things.

Some of the things you might do will look good on your CV too! Think about the skills you might be learning. Employers like to have staff who have interests outside of work.

Sport and leisure

As well as helping you keep fit and healthy, sport and leisure activities are good for putting some balance into your life. Long days at school, college or at work can leave you feeling run down and tired. Getting out in the evenings, weekends and holidays are vital to re-energise you.

Taking part in sport and leisure activities also gives you something interesting and different to put on your CV. Taking part shows you are motivated, keen to try new things, a team player or a talented individual. Employers like their staff to use their free time positively.

Volunteering and personal development opportunities

Volunteering can make you feel good about yourself as well as helping others. It can help you gain confidence, new skills and new friends!

Lots of organisations depend on volunteers:

Volunteering could mean doing a range of things like:

• Befriending/mentoring
• Clearing a canal
• DJ-ing on a hospital radio station
• Doing an elderly person’s shopping
• Sports coaching
• Walking a dog.

You could even consider getting involved with your local Connexions Service. It’s run for you so we need to know if we are getting it right. We need volunteers to:

• help us design materials aimed at young people
• interview new staff
• tell us what you think about the services we offer.

There are also lots of activities you can take part in to help build your confidence, develop new skills and give you a challenge. There are opportunities in things such as sports, music and art.

Talk to your Connexions Personal Adviser about what is happening in your area.

Weblinks

Go places, do things – positive activities for young people in Bristol.
External link: goplacesdothings.org.uk

B-Active Youth Zone – things to do in Bath and North East Somerset
External link: b-active.info

Youth Unlimited – things to do in South Gloucestershire
External link: www.youthunltd.com

Things to do in North Somerset
External link: www.n-somersetcsd.org.uk

Bath – things to do, ideas and inspiration
External link: visitbath.co.uk

Bristol – what’s on, activities and attractions
External link: whatsonbristol.co.uk

Life and leisure for those with a disability – go to Disabled people>Everyday life and leisure
External link: direct.gov.uk/DisabledPeople

North Somerset – get a Young Person’s Key and save cash on many sporting, social and leisure activities.
External link: n-somerset.gov.uk/Leisure

Radstock4u – Radstock4him, Radstock4her, entertainment and leisure
External link: radstock4u.com

South Gloucestershire –leisure and cultural activities
External link: southglos.gov.uk

Organisations and groups, sports and leisure activities for children and young people aged 0 to 20 and their parents and carers in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
External link: 1bigdatabase.org.uk

Youth clubs in North Somerset
External link: n-somerset.gov.uk

Youth Funds – find out what money is available to create more leisure activities and facilities in your local area.
External link: direct.gov.uk

Millennium Volunteers South Gloucestershire – for 16-24 year olds.
External link: yatevoluntarylink.org.uk/mv/mvmain.asp

Vinspired – lots of opportunities in your area.
External link: vinspired.com

Voluntary Action - opportunities in North Somerset
External link: nsva.org.uk

Volunteer Centre (Bath & North East Somerset Council)
External link: bathnes.gov.uk

Volunteer Centre Yate – serving the Frome Vale area and the surrounding rural communities.
External link: yatevoluntarylink.org.uk

Volunteering Bristol – opportunities in Bristol
External link: bristolvolunteers.org.uk

Publication to download

Volunteering- projects to take part in home and abroad