Volunteer!
Why volunteer?
Who can volunteer?
How do I get started?
London Events Volunteering Calendar
Case studies
Why volunteer?
- Volunteering exposes you to new situations, people and experiences.
- Volunteering can also help you to develop the confidence to try out different things.
- To give life more structure
- Volunteering is a great way for people who are unable to work, or who have retired, to find constructive things to do with their spare time.
- To find new hobbies or interests
- Volunteering offers you the chance to have amazing experiences, and to make friends with people from all walks of life.
- To find a new job or get back into work
- Just a couple of hours a week can really enhance your job prospects, help to plug any gaps in your work experience and give you a range of new skills.
- To get a reference or experience for a job
- Over 70% of employers would hire a candidate with volunteering experience over someone who has never volunteered.
- To help other people and make your community a better place to live
- Volunteering also helps you to contribute to society by giving something back.
- To improve your physical and mental health
- To feel part of your community
Who can volunteer?
Volunteering is for everyone, regardless of age, employment status and abilities. Most volunteers have a great time volunteering and recommend it to others. Volunteering is not just about giving. It is a two-way exchange of skills and experience, provides a way to meet new people and find out more about your community, and can be great fun and very rewarding. Meet some of our volunteers and read about their volunteering experiences.
How do I get started?
Sometimes it feels hard to get started, but now you’re in the right place. There are thousands of volunteering opportunities in London covering all professional careers, ranging from admin work to finance, media, PR, to working in schools, with children or older people. Find more volunteering opportunities by visiting www.do-it.org.uk, enter your postcode and area of interest and see which volunteering opportunities are available near you. You can volunteer in your local area, you can volunteer virtually by working from home, and you can even volunteer away from home, in a residential opportunity.
Are you still not sure? Contact your local Volunteer Centre. Your local Volunteer Centre can suggest the right volunteering opportunity for you and has answers to all your volunteering related questions. Almost every borough in London has a Volunteer Centre, and they are really easy to find. Use the Volunteer Centre finder, enter your postcode find out what’s available near you.
Volunteer at GLV
Wave of Friendship Co Ordinator
We need an enthusiastic, organised volunteer to help us manage and promote the Wave of Friendship volunteer bursary scheme. The scheme encourages Londoners to volunteer in Scotland and Scottish people to volunteer in London and share their experiences via the website ‘People Making Waves’.
If you’re a great communicator, PC literate, have experience of administrative work, are enthusiastic about volunteering and can spare us up to a day per week, we’d love to hear from you. Take a look at the Role Description below and and email us your completed Volunteer Interest Form.
Find out more about the Wave of Friendship on our Activities & Projects page.
