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Volunteering can offer young people who are NEET much more than work experience. With the right opportunity and support, it can build confidence, skills, connections and a sense of purpose. It can also strengthen civic participation and citizenship, giving young people a voice in their communities and enabling them to contribute their ideas and talents while creating pathways towards education, training or employment.

Volunteering is a great way to make a difference, meet new people, build confidence and develop skills. The key is finding an opportunity that works for you. Think about what motivates you, the time you can give, the skills you can offer and what you'd like to gain. There's no single right way to volunteer – find something you enjoy, ask questions and make your volunteering experience count.

Our new Referring Professionals Toolkit is here! Designed for social prescribers, support workers, employment advisers and other professionals, it provides practical resources for better conversations about volunteering. Explore guidance, personal development tools and resources to help identify the right opportunities, overcome barriers and support more meaningful, successful volunteering journeys.

Volunteer recruitment is evolving as people seek greater flexibility, meaningful experiences and opportunities to use their skills. Short-term, project-based and skills-focused roles can make volunteering accessible to a wider range of people. Organisations that adapt their opportunities and clearly demonstrate the impact volunteers make will be better placed to attract, engage and retain volunteers.

Skills and impact-focused volunteering isn't about replacing traditional roles, but adapting to today's volunteers. By offering flexible, clearly defined projects, recognising people's skills and demonstrating the difference their contribution makes, organisations can attract a wider range of volunteers. Treating volunteers as collaborators can create stronger experiences, greater impact and more resilient volunteer programmes.

The volunteering landscape is changing. Work, family commitments and competing demands on people's time mean traditional, fixed roles don't always fit modern lives. Volunteers increasingly value flexible, skills-based opportunities where they can see the impact they make. For organisations, adapting how volunteering is designed, communicated and supported is key to engaging the volunteers of today.

Digital platforms are transforming volunteer recruitment. Social media can spark interest through engaging stories, images and shared experiences, while a clear, accessible website can turn that interest into action. However, digital shouldn't replace personal connections. Combining online reach with face-to-face conversations, partnerships and word of mouth can help organisations attract and engage a wider, more diverse range of volunteers.