What to Look For As a Young Volunteer
Just like anybody else who is involved in volunteering, younger people must first identify those causes and projects that they’re attracted to, that they can offer a firm commitment to and ones which will allow them to best demonstrate the skills and personal qualities they have to offer. It’s also important to choose a role which can provide you with a real training opportunity in order to increase your skills base which will inevitably look favourable on your CV as it’s quite common for younger people to have to rely heavily on any experience they can think of in order to get their first break on the career ladder and a carefully managed period of voluntary work is always considered highly valuable by prospective employers, especially when you’re just starting out. It demonstrates commitment, a willingness to learn, an ability to work as part of a team and an appreciation of a particular cause – all qualities that are highly desired by employers.

Answer a few questions about your interests, skills, and availability and get matched with the types of volunteering that suit you best. Whether you want to work with people, animals, or the environment, we will find your ideal role.
Try our Volunteer Role Finder free, here on this site →Doesn’t It Cost Too Much and Will it Take Up Too Much Of My Time?
These are probably the three most frequent objections cited by youngsters when questioned about voluntary work. However, there are plenty of opportunities out there which rely on people of all ages to make a contribution and the charities and organisations behind these initiatives are getting keener to ensure that they try to be flexible as possible when it comes to the amount and regularity of time that people need to put in. They also understand the pressures faced by younger volunteers in terms of juggling school or college commitments, maybe a paid part-time or full-time job as well as other commitments such as sports and social activities, all of which tend to be high up on the agenda of the younger volunteer. They also appreciate that money is often not a premium when you’re younger so in the majority of cases, you can be assured that you will be reimbursed any travel expenses you may incur and you may even be entitled to a meal allowance also. There are also plenty of opportunities to combine hobbies and pastimes in a voluntary capacity.
If you're not sure which type of volunteering would suit your interests and schedule, you can get personalised suggestions using our free Volunteer Role Finder.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
What Kind Of Voluntary Jobs Are Available To Young People?
Younger volunteers are so sought after these days that the range of opportunities available to you is almost endless. However, typical work can include helping out with environmental and conservation projects locally e.g. cleaning up rivers and ponds, working in hospital radio, helping younger children with basic maths, reading and writing, working in a charity shop and there are countless opportunities to find voluntary work in both the arts and sports volunteering sector where you can combine your passion for a particular hobby and still make a very valued contribution to society – a good example could be getting involved in refereeing disabled 5 a side football matches or wheelchair basketball tournaments or designing stage sets for your local community theatre. The key thing is to appreciate that volunteering is for everyone and that no-one needs to feel excluded and, for a young person, it can not only help you to feel good about yourself but it can also teach you new skills, improve your self-esteem and how to relate to other people of all ages and backgrounds with whom you may not have previously come into contact with and it will give you a real sense of purpose and an appreciation of your ‘place’ in your own community. Furthermore, a stint of volunteering will often prove to be the foundation of the transition to adulthood as you start out to pursue a career and your experience will often instil a good set of values within you which you will carry throughout life.
Thank you.
My name is Dan and I've been looking for a volunteering role for my DofE bronze. I live in South East London have you got any roles.
I'm available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday evening
Best wishes
Thank you
Kind regards
Chandel
I am looking for some charity work near me (Bracknell) to help people less fortunate than myself.
I love helping people, and would love to be able to do that.
My hobbies include: rowing, table tennis, cricket, chess, grade 5 trumpet
I also enjoy maths
My name is Leah, I am 13 years old and I live in central London. I am looking for a volunteering opportunity in a care facility or hospital as it is my passion to become a surgeon when I grow up. I am particularly interested to support Hospices. I am also very good at typing and correcting grammar. Some of my other hobbies include tennis, swimming, trampolining, reading, science, cello and piano (grade 6), and Maths. I can contribute from small things to large jobs as I am a very responsible person and want to make a difference to others. I need a volunteering job for my DofE Bronze Award and I only need to volunteer for 1 hour, but I am more than happy to volunteer further. I need a volunteering job that is flexible as I also have to go to school. Thank you so much for your kind support and I hope to hear from you soon.
Best wishes,
Leah
My daughter is 13 turning 14 soon is looking for a volunteering opportunity or job around animals we live in south west London thank you .
Thank you
It would be appreciated if you could help me find somewhere to volunteer.
Thank you, Laetitia. 13
Yours faithfully
Freya wilkinson,13
I’m interested finding out more about volunteering within your organisation
Here is abit about myself
I’m an experienced youth worker and behavioural mentor I can offer your setting a supportive, consistent, non-judgemental approach to working with disadvantaged young people from all ethnicities and social backgrounds. I have the ability to communicate and interact with young people and adults through ways designed to meet their needs. I am a skilled practitioner, with vast experience and a desire to draw out the best in the young people and adults I work with to see them reach their potential and achieve all they are able to do. I am teachable and keen to learn from new experiences and settings.
Thank you
Can you please advise what we need to do further to get onto the panel, how much time will be required to be spent by him, will he be able to continue this if he is at University...
Thanks
I would love to work with children and people with disabilitys.
Do you know anywhere I could help out if you do please tell me
Any ideas?
Thanks for taking the time to read this ;)
I'm 13yrs old and have been accepted to do the bronze DOFE. For the voluntary section I would like to help and care for people, this is because in the future I want to be a doctor/nurse, therefore I need experience at helping and caring for not just family but the people in my community. If you know a place near Milton Keynes, Aylesbury and Buckingham where I can apply please don't hesitate to share or reply to this comment.
Kind regards
Daughter is 14 and wants to volunteer, starting DOE soon. Loves animals and has applied to the cinnamon trust however no need in our area at the moment. Any ideas please?
Thanks
I am 13 and have been looking for ages for volunteering work but it has ages restrictions. I love animals and younger children. I am happy to give up my week end mornings to help.
I really would like to make a difference to homeless people.
My daughter is 13 years old, nearly 14 years old, and is looking for voluntary work. She can work on theatre plays or television. She's a professional dancer with experience in dance shows. She also loves children and loves teaching.
She has good maths / English levels at school so would be able to help small children. She is equally good at working with computers programs and good at sports.
Could you please advise where we could search for work. We've searching different sites but is has proven difficult to find voluntary work for our area ( probably not lucky enough). We live in London, Borough of Kensington and Chelsea but able to travel to surrounding Boroughs in zones 1 or zone 2.
Thank you. Isabel Roxo
I've just recently finished a degree and my dream job is to work within youth offending to help and guide young people. I have a few bits of experience doing so but would love the opportunity to volunteer with YOT with the idea of working towards a career in this avenue. I am from the Solihull/Birmingham area and would really value and help or guidance I could be given to take the first steps in volunteering within the youth offending teams within my local communities. If you have any information regards to numbers or email addresses I should use to put myself forward for volunteering roles, I would be very grateful.
thanks, Millie
Kind regards
Troy tyler
Shelby
I grew in Greece and because of the crisis, unfortunately i met lots of young (indeed) offenders that were offending because they needed to survive, (they had to steal so as to have food). These are some of the reasons i really want to help these people and i am asking from you to give this opportunity. Thank you!
I have passed my first aid course with St johns ambulance but I want to push my help up to the next level please can you help me with this
Loads of thanks, Lina
Thank you very much!
Martin
I'm interested in applying for some voluntary work in the Nottingham area.
I'm currently at University doing a degree in youth justice and i also hold a level 3 in teaching assistants. Please would some one mind e-mailing me back to let me know
Many Thanks
Michaela Geraghty
im on my social care course and prepering to do acess to social work next year.
so i like to gain some experience.
I have a 1st class combined degree in Early Childhood and Childhood and Youth, I am considering going on to do SEN PGCE next September. I am ideally looking for voluntary work in Liverpool working with children and young adults with SEN or EBD in school or community to gain some experience and A better understanding about children with additional needs.
I am also interested in any work with YOT in my area too, if you can give me any direction with this, it would be appreciated.
kind regards
I am Ana from South Manchester and I've been looking to voluntter with children where I live but I have not found much. I am wondering if maybe you can help me or know where could I help. I have a full-time job but will love to help on my free time. Many Thanks :)
I would like to know ho to go about applying, and what opportunities would be avalibable. Thanks
Thanks
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