Website of the UK government

Search online

You can search thousands of opportunities and apply online using the do-it.org database. You select the type of volunteering you are interested in and enter your postcode for a list of opportunities in your area.

• Search and apply for a volunteering opportunity

Visit your nearest volunteer centre

Volunteer centres co-ordinate and advertise volunteering opportunities in your area. You can find your nearest volunteering centre on the Do-it.org website.

• Find your nearest Volunteer Centre

Find out about community projects being run by your local council

Contacting your local council may be a useful way to find out about community projects in your area. You can also visit your local library which will have information about local groups, charities and any seasonal opportunities.

• Find your local library
• Volunteer for a community project

Setting up a volunteering scheme at work

If you are interested in setting up a scheme at work read ‘Setting up a volunteering scheme at work’ available from the link below.

• Setting up a volunteer scheme at work

Volunteering overseas

If you want to volunteer abroad, the following two organisations may be able to provide you with an opportunity to do so.

Voluntary Services Overseas
If you want to volunteer to work abroad, Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) is an international development charity which tries to match people's professional skills to volunteering needs across the world. Volunteers can be between aged between 18 and 75. Most placements are for two years, but can also be as short as one month.

• Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) Opens new window

Volunteering for 18 to 25 year olds
If you are aged between 18 and 25 years old and want to volunteer to work abroad, ‘Platform2’ offers you the opportunity to volunteer in a developing country and then come back and share your experiences with others. It's aimed at young people from the UK who wouldn't otherwise have the chance to volunteer abroad, so it's fully-funded and free for the volunteer.

The placements are 10 weeks long and volunteers work on community projects in a number of developing countries including South Africa, Ghana, India and Peru.

• Platform2 Opens new window

Other volunteer organisations

• Community Service Volunteers Opens new window
• Volunteering England website Opens new window
• Timebank website Opens new window
• Mentoring and Befriending Foundation website Opens new window
• British Trust for Conservation Volunteers Opens new window

More useful links

• Volunteer Scotland Opens new window
• Volunteering Wales Opens new window
• Volunteering Northern Ireland Opens new window