Volunteering Q&A

What is volunteering?

Volunteering can be described as working on behalf of others (or for a particular cause) without concern for financial reward.

It can:

• help you gain skills and experience that can enhance your CV
• boost your confidence
• provide opportunities to meet new people
• help you learn more about your local community

Where can I find out about opportunities that might suit me?

Finding something to suit your interests and lifestyle might be easier than you think. Here are just a few organisations where you can find out more about organisations:

• CSV.org.uk The UK's leading volunteering and training charity, offering full-time, gap year, environmental, mentoring, leadership, one-off and bespoke employee opportunities.
• CharityJOB Lists volunteering and internship opportunities alongside their paid job listings.
• TimeBank.org.uk Ideas of things to do, employee volunteering, mentoring and youth programmes.
• Do-it.org.uk Listings posted by local volunteer centres in England.
• Vinspired.com The national young volunteers' service, aimed at those aged between 16 and 25.
• Sparked.com An online "micro-volunteering" network, offering quick and easy opportunities to make a difference.

Where can I find advice and support about recruiting and managing volunteers?

Our People, HR and Employment section has a basic overview of some of the key things you need to know when managing volunteers. It includes information on:

• Finding and recruiting volunteers
• Expenses and benefits in kind to volunteers
• Insurance for volunteers
• Providing training for volunteers
• The legal status of volunteers

Volunteering England

You can also find more information on the Volunteering England website, including details of their Volunteering Management programme.

Your local charity

Do you want to find out your local charity? You can try the online yellow pages.
Enter the word 'charity' in the field "I'm looking for' and yur post code.