C5.2 Applying for Volunteering Roles

How to Volunteer in the UK?

First, volunteering in the UK comes in many forms, including online and offline opportunities. For example, the organization csinuk recruits online volunteers for roles such as writing UK guides, collecting and sharing articles, translating English news, managing communities, taking photos, shooting videos, and editing/uploading content to websites. You can do this volunteer work anywhere—even while traveling—and upon meeting the requirements, you will receive benefits such as volunteer certificates.

However, online volunteering has certain limitations: it cannot provide real-life social practice, nor allow you to meet many foreigners or local Britons, nor let you experience daily life in the UK firsthand. The main advantage of offline volunteering is that it allows you to practice English. Of course, whichever type of volunteering you choose, it is highly meaningful. It is a journey of growth, learning, friendship, and warmth that broadens your horizons, fulfills your self-worth, helps others, and allows you to make many friends. Overseas universities and employers attach great importance to students’ or graduates’ social practice experience—especially prestigious institutions and companies. Volunteering will significantly boost your chances of admission to higher education or employment at top firms in the future.

In the UK, you can volunteer at schools, businesses, charities, or government departments. For instance, if you want to volunteer at your UK university, you can assist teachers during Open Days or Freshers’ Week, or work as a volunteer at the Student Centre. Universities recruit a large number of volunteers every year, usually through their official websites (mostly on student portals accessible only to enrolled students or the Students’ Union), or via unified emails sent to students. You can also inquire directly at the Student Centre.

If you wish to volunteer at a UK charity or company, their official websites will usually specify the types of volunteers they are recruiting. For government department volunteering, as mentioned in a previous guide, if you apply in advance, you could volunteer at 10 Downing Street or other national buildings on 21-22 September 2019.

So, what platforms offer volunteer opportunities in the UK?

Firstly, there are volunteer service platforms similar to job search websites, featuring numerous volunteer vacancies posted by various organizations. They also match you with potential volunteer roles based on your personal information.

Some Volunteer Organizations and Platforms

1. Imperial College London Volunteer Recommendations

   University volunteer recruitment is generally via the official website, emails sent to registered students, or dedicated student portals. For example, Imperial College London’s volunteer recruitment page not only lists on-campus opportunities but also recommends over 30 reliable UK volunteer websites and charities, such as Do-it (detailed separately below).

Typically, opportunities listed by universities are highly credible—especially those recommended by Imperial College London. Founded in 1907 and located in London, Imperial is a member of the Russell Group, the Golden Triangle, and the IDEA League, renowned as a world-class institution.

Official link: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/alumni/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities/

2. UK Han Culture Association

   A London-based Chinese charity dedicated to promoting Hanfu in Europe, spreading Chinese culture overseas, and facilitating East-West cultural exchange. It hosts events in the UK, including Hanfu-themed Chinese food festivals, camping trips, and Spring Festival celebrations. Charity registration number in the UK: 1173700.

I have loved Hanfu since 2014. At that time, I mostly had custom-made Hanfu from small specialized shops. My first set cost over £1,000, which I brought to the UK—attracting a lot of attention. It was closely modeled on ancient designs but with modern aesthetic modifications, making it very elegant. I loved it so much that I later got several more sets—only 2 custom-made, and the rest bought from online and physical stores.

WeChat official account: hanfuinuk

3. Do-it

   Available nationwide, Do-it is a leading UK volunteer platform where you can find volunteer roles near you.

   Website: https://do-it.org/
4. Vinspired

   Available nationwide, this volunteer website was founded in 2006, focusing on providing opportunities for young people aged 14-25. Vinspired recognizes that volunteering helps young people thrive, transform their communities, and develop key skills like teamwork and problem-solving, preparing them for the future. In the UK, 74% of young people are willing to volunteer, which has a significant impact on communities. Vinspired helps young people access these opportunities.

It covers almost all UK volunteer roles—you can search for opportunities by type or location, or recruit volunteers through the platform.

Website: https://vinspired.com/

5. NCVO

   Available nationwide, NCVO is a long-standing volunteer service website founded in 1919, offering volunteering opportunities across nearly all industries.

   Website: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/
6. Reach Volunteering

   Available nationwide, this platform stands out for matching volunteers with roles that utilize their professional skills. For example, if you study accounting or human resources, you can find volunteer work related to these fields. This helps you familiarize yourself with future career paths, gain experience and connections, apply academic knowledge to practice, and even gather research for your dissertation. Outstanding performance may also lead to full-time employment after graduation.

   Website: https://reachvolunteering.org.uk/
7. Volunteering Matters

   Available nationwide, this organization runs over 100 active volunteer projects across the UK, recruiting 20,000 volunteers and supporting 85,000 beneficiaries annually. Founded in 1962 (known as Community Service Volunteers until 2015), it has led UK volunteering in policy and practice for over 50 years, focusing on four community groups: young people, disabled individuals, families, and older adults.

Website: https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/

8. Step-together

   Available nationwide, this website helps socially excluded individuals engage in volunteering to build positive futures. It supports marginalized groups who may not consider volunteering an option, including young people leaving healthcare, at risk of homelessness, young offenders, teenage parents, survivors of domestic violence; and adults facing significant challenges such as severe injury/trauma, substance abuse, long-term unemployment, poor mental health, homelessness, and social isolation. The organization helps these groups integrate into local communities, build confidence, improve physical and mental health, develop social networks, and transition to education or sustainable employment.

Website: https://www.step-together.org.uk/

9. Volunteering Wales

   Website: https://volunteering-wales.net/vk/volunteers/index.htm
10. Volunteer Scotland

    Website: https://www.volunteerscotland.net/
11. Voluntary Action LeicesterShire (VAL)

    A charity in Leicestershire aiming to improve lives in the region. For over half a century, VAL has been part of Leicester and Leicestershire’s voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) sector. Founded in 1965 as the Leicester Council of Social Service, it has adapted to changing times while remaining community-focused.

Website: https://valonline.org.uk/

12. British Heart Foundation (BHF)

    BHF charity shops are widely available across the UK, accepting donations of clothing and other items for resale. When I graduated, I donated many clothes, shoes, and other items by taking them to a local shop in my suitcase. While many charities (including BHF) offer free home collection, it is often inflexible and cumbersome—so delivering donations in person is recommended as a form of exercise.

Website: https://www.bhf.org.uk/

You may occasionally encounter children, students, or adults in costumes collecting donations with BHF buckets on the street. You can put your donation in the bucket, and sometimes receive a heart-shaped sticker with their logo—I always donate a little when I see them.

They are constantly recruiting volunteers, with positions available in most UK cities with a city center.

13. Barnardo’s

    A children’s charity named after its founder, Thomas John Barnardo, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1845. Since 1867, he has helped poor, uneducated, unwell, or disabled children. Volunteer opportunities are listed on their website under “Work with Us” > “Volunteer with Us.”

Website: https://www.barnardos.org.uk/

14. British Red Cross

    Offers volunteering in healthcare, education, charity fundraising, supporting older adults and other vulnerable groups, and assisting people in other European countries.

    Website: https://www.redcross.org.uk/
15. Save the Children

    A global leading charity dedicated to helping vulnerable children access education, healthcare, and equal rights.

    Website: https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/
16. Battersea (London)

    An animal charity focusing on helping cats and dogs. Founded in 1860 when it took in its first stray dog, it has helped over 3 million animals and strives to ensure every dog and cat lives in a loving, caring, and respectful home.

Website: https://www.battersea.org.uk/

17. Cancer Research UK

    Website: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/
18. Oxfam

    A global charity working to end poverty, advocate for equality and climate action, and build a more equitable and sustainable world. When disasters strike, Oxfam prioritizes saving lives, then helps communities recover—providing clean water, sanitation, food, and essentials, supporting disaster preparedness, and rebuilding resilient communities.

Website: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/what-we-do

19. Shelter England

    Helps millions of people fight bad housing or homelessness every year through advice, support, and legal services. Their vision is a future where no one needs to turn to them for help.

Website: https://england.shelter.org.uk/

20. Greenpeace UK

    One of the world’s largest environmental organizations, focusing on protecting the environment, combating climate change, safeguarding oceans and forests, and protecting animals.

    Website: https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/

Shishengmiao’s Reminders

1. Volunteers are generally unpaid, but some organizations offer allowances (e.g., for travel or meals) or small gifts. Volunteer certificates are awarded only after meeting specific requirements. It is best to find opportunities near you, but you can also choose roles in major cities (e.g., one day per weekend). In winter, opt for daytime roles—UK days get dark around 4 PM, similar to 9 PM in China. Prioritize large volunteer organizations; research online or consult teachers. Most UK regions have local charities—while giving back, always protect your personal safety and privacy.
2. Check the eligibility criteria when applying: some organizations have age limits (e.g., 14-80 years old) or require a valid visa (e.g., valid for over 6 months) or specific skills.
3. Do you need a National Insurance Number (NIN) to volunteer in the UK? Yes—it protects both you and the organization. Even though volunteering is unpaid, it is considered work. While some organizations do not mandate a NIN, it is strongly recommended to apply for one as personal protection