Volunteering can be a great way to develop new skills, gain valuable experience and build your confidence while you're looking for work. It can also help you establish a routine, meet new people, explore different career paths and strengthen your CV. Many organisations welcome volunteers with no previous experience and will provide the training and support you need to get started.

If you're receiving benefits, you can usually volunteer while continuing to meet your job-seeking requirements. It's important to let your work coach or benefits adviser know that you're volunteering. Many organisations also reimburse reasonable travel expenses, and over time, volunteering can help you build references to support future job applications.

Download our information sheet: New to volunteering? What you need to know – a practical guide explaining how volunteering can support your journey into employment, what to expect when applying for a volunteer role, and how to use our Volunteer Hub to find local opportunities.

Advice for people looking for work experience

If you’re looking for a short placement (usually a week or more), the Volunteer Hub isn’t the right route. Most charities and organisations prefer that you contact them directly about work experience. This is because they usually have set times, tasks or induction processes for short placements, and it’s easier for them to manage directly rather than through our Hub, so you are likely to get a quicker response. You should easily be able to find contact details on their websites. 

Our Volunteer Hub is designed for people who want to volunteer regularly. Charities and community organisations almost always need ongoing volunteers to help with their day-to-day work, so the Hub connects you with these opportunities.