If you aren't able to come into an office at a set time, or if you live in a remote place or have mobility difficulties, virtual volunteering could be the answer.

'Virtual' doesn't mean that it's not real, just that you don't need to be in any particular place in order to fulfil the role.

For example, many volunteer editorial roles, can be done from home if you have access to a phone and a computer. Organisations might want you to come into the office from time to time but if you deliver the copy they won't worry too much about seeing you face-to-face.

Online volunteering lends itself to the virtual approach. Helping charities run their eBay accounts, for example, will require internet access but not normally regular office attendance.

Virtual volunteering can also enable you to reach beyond your locality, and even overseas. The UNV Online programme has opportunities all over the world, while Human Writes recruits volunteers to write to prisoners on death row in the United States of America.

If you find an opportunity on the do-it.org.uk database that isn't advertised as virtual, but you think could be done from home, don't be afraid to ask. Most charities will be more interested in getting the work done than seeing you in person.

You can find lots of other types of positive activities that you can do virtually on the Help From Home website.

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