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Voluntary Work

Why volunteer? 

Doing voluntary work is a great way of helping other people - and it offers the volunteer a lot too.

People volunteer for various reasons:

  • to help other people - and often make a real difference to their lives
  • to gain useful, sometimes new, skills and training to help them get a job
  • to get relevant work experience before applying for some jobs or courses such as in care or social work - often the only way to get this is through voluntary work
  • to take a gap year out from studying.

What is available?

There is a huge range of volunteering opportunities in the UK and abroad, including:

  •  wildlife conservation
  •  supporting victims of crime
  •  running summer play schemes
  •  helping developing countries to build water supply systems.

Depending on what you want to do, and where, volunteering can be short-term or long-term, but some organisations prefer you to give a little time regularly.

Disclosure

Voluntary organisations must ensure that the people using their services are safe. To work as a volunteer with children, young people or vulnerable adults you must provide references and go through a disclosure (criminal record) check. There is information on disclosures on the Disclosure Scotland website at http://www.disclosurescotland.co.uk/.

Volunteering organisations

These are some of the many organisations offering voluntary work. There are also lots of local organisations - youth groups, clubs for older people, country parks and conservation bodies - which would welcome help.

If you are planning a year out between school and university, see also the article on 'Taking a Gap Year'.

Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) - the umbrella body for voluntary organisations in Scotland. The website has information about its work. SCVO provides a web portal ‘workwithus.org’,  a gateway to charities and the voluntary sector in Scotland. It hosts the national network of Councils of Voluntary Service in Scotland (CVS Scotland).
Websites: http://www.scvo.org.uk/ and: http://www.workwithus.org/ and http://www.scvo.org.uk/cvsnetwork/Home/Home.aspx

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) - uses the environment to help people and communities - organic gardening, outdoor green gyms, training in skills such as dry stone walling and creating wildlife gardens, conservation holidays, helping community groups.
Web: http://www.btcv.org.uk/

Community Learning Service - in each local authority, this service needs volunteers to help adults to improve their reading, writing, spelling and number skills. No educational qualifications needed, but volunteers are normally at least 18.
Find your local council address in the 'phone book.

Community Service Volunteers (CSV) - full-time volunteer work with homeless people, people with disabilities, young people leaving care or carers needing a break. No specific qualifications or skills needed, but you should be at least 16. You work away from home, for up to 12 months. Free accommodation, food and travel, weekly allowance. Part time opportunities for senior volunteers.
Web: http://www.csv.org.uk/

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award - offeres a programme of personal and social development activities for young people 14-25.  Needs volunteers to lead, supervise and help with outdoor and community activities.
Web: http://www.dofe.org/

European Voluntary Service (EVS) - 18-30 year olds volunteer in another European country, up to a year, in social, cultural, caring, environmental and sports sectors. Short term placements for young people with fewer opportunities. In the UK, the scheme is run by Connect Youth, part of the British Council.
Web: www.britishcouncil.org/home/connectyouth-programmes-evs.htm  

National Trust for Scotland (NTS) - long or short term voluntary work in visitor services (mostly in NTS properties) and conservation in the countryside. You should be over 18.
Also 1 week work camps in projects such as footpath maintenance and dyking for over 18s; Trailblazer Camps for 16-17 year olds. Web: http://www.nts.org.uk/Volunteering/Find/ and http://www.nts.org.uk/ThistleCamps/

Project Scotland - full time voluntary opportunities in Scotland, up to 12 months, for 16-25 year olds, in the arts, sports, environment and working with people with disabilities.
Web: http://www.projectscotland.co.uk/    

Project Trust - voluntary opportunities for school leavers with university entrance qualifications, in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America - teaching, working in social care projects, as outward bound instructors or doing development, conservation and environmental work.
Web: http://www.projecttrust.org.uk/

Student Volunteering Scotland - for students interested in volunteering.
Web: http://www.studentvolscotland.org.uk/

Volunteering England - information on the National Centre for Volunteering and details of opportunities for those wishing to volunteer in England
Web: http://www.volunteering.org.uk/

Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) - volunteers, mostly aged 20-75, for developing countries, 6 months to 2 years. Work in agriculture, fisheries, forestry, business, community and social development, crafts, education, engineering or health. Limited opportunities for those of  60+, and a Youth for Development programme for those aged 18-25. Living allowance, free accommodation, insurance, flights, individual support.
Web: http://www.vso.org.uk/

Volunteer Scotland Centres - the website of the Scottish network of Volunteer Centres gives information on opportunities. Find your local Volunteer Centre, for help choosing a suitable opportunity.
Web: http://www.volunteerscotland.org.uk/

Volunteer Development Scotland - oversees many projects including the Scottish Volunteer Centre Network - has contact details for volunteer centres in Scotland. 
Web: http://www.vds.org.uk/

Working Abroad - international service for volunteers, workers and travellers in over 150 countries. Voluntary work in community, conservation, international and cultural projects. 
Web: http://www.workingabroad.com/

Further Reading

You may find the most recent editions of these publications helpful: 
"International Directory of Voluntary Work" (Published by Trotman)
"Green Volunteers" (Published by Trotman)