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. You can also sign up to receive our monthly Volunteering Opportunities newsletter. This is a great resource to learn about organisations that need extra volunteer help this month, as well as new volunteer roles, and other good ways to get involved.
Volunteering through the Hub is also a great way to build skills, confidence, and experience that can help you get a job. You can try different roles, meet new people and develop skills like teamwork, communication and problem-solving — all things you can put on your CV or talk about in interviews.
Read our advice on volunteering if you are under 18.
Download our "I want to volunteer" information sheet.