By Julia Pearlman

OK, I'll admit it; I was afraid writing about IT volunteering would be as dull as dishwater. The words spreadsheets, mail merges, links and tables, swirled around my head. Could this really be an area for interesting volunteering opportunities?

Well, yes, actually.

If you're a natural with computers, someone who picked up a (computer) mouse as a child even before you started using crayons, you could share your skills with people who are still getting to grips with emails, writing newsletters and creating excel spreadsheets. Only last week I was giving my other half's Dad a lesson on how to upload his huge array of photos onto a shared online album to send round to the family. It's the kind of help that some individuals and organisations really do need.

Computer basics

There are a huge array of opportunities to help people of all ages get to grips with computing. For example, some organisations involve volunteers to run courses in subjects such as using Photoshop, Quarkxpress and Dreamweaver.

In other organisations, volunteers help by giving one to one support on computing skills to one of its residents.

Jargon

Like many people, I'm aware of computer jargon such as cookies, great worms and trojan horses without necessarily knowing what it all means.

As a volunteer you can help people become better informed.

Computing skills for older people

Rapid online developments have meant that some older people aren't confident using computers. Organisations like Age Concern is trying to combat this fear by encouraging volunteers to give support and help people navigate their way around a computer through a number of IT courses.

Eyecatching

Perhaps you're a whiz at creating 'crazy, sexy, cool games, virals or websites'? Some organisations involve volunteer to help develop social issue projects that will catch the eye of 16-30 year-olds.

So it seems I'd no idea quite how many ways you can get involved with volunteering in the IT world. From maintaining websites, database input, to IT support, it's all out there for the taking.

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