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A Guide to Volunteering: What, Why and The Benefits

12 Feb 2025

Volunteering is an excellent way to give back to your community and gain valuable work experience that can set you up for your next role. This blog will explore everything you need to know about volunteering and how it can help you land a job.

What is volunteering?

Volunteering is when someone gives their time to help an organisation or individual and doesn’t get paid for it. For example, volunteering could involve raising money for charity or helping to provide food for people who are homeless. 

Why is volunteering important? 

Volunteering is a powerful way to give back to the community while gaining invaluable skills and experiences that contribute to both personal and professional growth. It allows individuals to develop new competencies, build confidence, and strengthen social connections, all while opening doors to networking opportunities and mentorship, helping to give volunteers a competitive edge in the job market. 

What skills does volunteering give you?

A range of skills can be developed through volunteering, such as:
●    Communication.
●    Teamwork.
●    Organisation.
●    Adaptability. 
●    Empathy.
●    Resilience. 

What are the benefits of volunteering?

There are a range of benefits to volunteering, including:

Gaining new skills and experience 

Volunteering is an excellent opportunity to gain and develop a range of skills and experience that can be transferred into future roles. These can be added to your CV and shared on professional networking platforms like LinkedIn to help you stand out from the crowd.

Volunteering is a particularly good option for students, graduates and those without previous work experience as it allows you to build the skills and experience needed to help obtain a role. It is also a good opportunity to meet people who could potentially mentor you or help you find a job. They could act as references and help you build relevant skills and knowledge for the industry you want to work in.

It builds confidence

Volunteering is great for personal development as it can help you build your confidence and skills. . 74% of volunteers between the ages 18-24 found that it gave them more confidence, highlighting the benefits it can have to both your career and mental health. In fact, 77% of volunteers have found that volunteering has improved their mental health and wellbeing 

It strengthens social ties 

Volunteering can help you become more sociable and build a bigger network of friends and colleagues. It also enables  people of different backgrounds to work together, allowing skills and ideas to be shared, ultimately helping to break down barriers. This also contributes toward greater peace and understanding, both of which have strong positive effects on communities. 

It helps improve other people’s lives

Volunteering can have a significant impact on communities and people’s lives as it can enhance their environment, educate others or help them complete tasks they may have found difficult to complete without assistance. For example, volunteering at a nursing home for the elderly can help provide companionship and support for daily tasks. 

H2: FAQs

Who is eligible to volunteer?

Anyone can volunteer, no matter their race, nationality, age or gender. There are even opportunities for volunteering overseas to help aid projects. If you plan to volunteer with children, there are additional steps to ensure their safety and well-being. Volunteers working with children must undergo specific checks and adhere to legal requirements. These may include background checks, DBS checks, and specific training covering child protection, emergency procedures, and safe guarding.     

What volunteering opportunities are there in the UK?

There are plenty of volunteering opportunities in the UK that help a range of causes, communities and businesses. Simply search ‘where can I volunteer near me’ to discover some of your local options. Volunteering examples, include:
●    Feeding people who are homeless.
●    Planting trees.
●    Raising money for charity.
●    Teaching English classes.

How long can I volunteer for?

Volunteering can last as long as you would like it to, unless you’re working on a project with a deadline. However, you can continue to volunteer on other projects in the future. 

How do I find volunteering opportunities?

Finding volunteering opportunities can be a rewarding experience! Start by identifying causes you're passionate about, such as education, environment, or community service. You can search online platforms like NCVO and The Big Help Out , or your local community websites for listings. 

Additionally, you could reach out to local non-profits to inquire about their needs. Some examples could be schools, community centres, community theatres and museums, libraries, service organisations such as Rotary Clubs, animal shelters, wildlife centres, youth organisations, sport teams, parks and conservation organisations, place of worship. Social media groups can also be great resources for discovering opportunities. Remember to consider your skills and availability to find the best fit for you!

How to add volunteering to LinkedIn

1.    Click on the ‘Add profile section’ in your bio. This is located below your profile picture.
2.    Click ‘Add volunteer experience’. This will be shown in a list of profile sections.
3.    Complete the required information, such as organisation name and job title.
4.    Add in your accomplishments.
5.    Click save.

Volunteering offers a multitude of benefits, from personal growth and skill development to making a meaningful impact on your community. By dedicating your time and effort, you not only enhance your own life but also contribute to the well-being of others. Start your volunteering journey today and experience the positive changes it can bring!