How to Get the Most Out of Volunteering

Volunteering can be a brilliant way to make a difference in your community, meet new people, develop skills and spend your time doing something that matters to you.

But finding the right volunteering opportunity isn't just about asking, "Where can I help?" It's also about asking, "What would I like to get from volunteering?"

Whether you're thinking about volunteering for the first time, returning after a break or looking for something new, here are some simple ways to make sure you get the most from the experience.

Start with what matters to you

There are hundreds of reasons why people choose to volunteer. You might want to support a cause that's important to you, meet people, gain experience, build your confidence, use skills you've developed during your career or simply do something enjoyable with your spare time.

There's no single 'right' reason to volunteer.

Before looking for an opportunity, think about what matters to you. What would make you look forward to volunteering? Are there particular causes or communities you care about? Would you rather be working with people, helping behind the scenes, getting outdoors or doing something from home?

Knowing what motivates you can make it much easier to find an opportunity you'll enjoy.

Be realistic about your time

One of the biggest misconceptions about volunteering is that you need to have lots of spare time. You don't!

Volunteering can range from a regular weekly commitment to occasional activities, one-off events, short-term projects or flexible opportunities that fit around other commitments.

Think realistically about the time you have available. It's much better to commit to something manageable than take on too much and find that volunteering becomes another source of pressure.

And remember: your time is valuable, however much of it you can give.

Try something different

Volunteering can be a great opportunity to step outside your usual routine.

Perhaps you've always wanted to help at community events, try conservation work, support young people, get involved with sport or use your digital skills to help a local organisation.

You don't necessarily need previous experience. Many volunteer roles provide training and support, and organisations are often looking for enthusiasm, reliability and a willingness to learn.

You might discover something you're surprisingly good at, or simply something you really enjoy.

Think about the skills you already have

When people think about volunteering, they sometimes underestimate what they can offer.

Your everyday experiences can be incredibly valuable.

Perhaps you're organised, a good listener, comfortable talking to people, practical, creative or confident using computers. You may have professional skills in areas such as finance, marketing, administration, management, IT or social media.

You don't have to be an expert. Think about what you enjoy doing and what other people tend to ask you for help with.

There may be a volunteering opportunity where those skills can make a genuine difference.

Think about the skills you'd like to develop

Volunteering isn't only about what you can give. It can also be an opportunity to learn.

Depending on the role, you might develop communication, teamwork, leadership, organisational or practical skills. You could gain experience in a particular sector, build confidence after time away from work or develop experience to support your next career move.

If learning or gaining experience is important to you, talk to the organisation about it. A good volunteer experience should recognise what you hope to achieve as well as what the organisation needs from you.

Ask questions before you commit

Finding the right volunteering opportunity is a two-way process.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. What will you actually be doing? How much time is expected? Is training provided? Who will support you? Are expenses available? Can the role be flexible? What happens if your circumstances change?

You should feel comfortable that you understand the role and what is expected before making a commitment.

If something doesn't feel right, it's perfectly reasonable to keep looking.

Give yourself time to settle in

Starting somewhere new can feel unfamiliar, particularly if you haven't volunteered before.

You won't necessarily know everyone, understand how everything works or feel completely confident on your first day. That's normal.

Give yourself time to get to know the organisation, the people and your role. Ask questions when you're unsure and speak to your volunteer co-ordinator if you need additional support.

Before long, what initially felt unfamiliar may become a regular part of your week.

Remember that volunteering should work for you too

Volunteers make an enormous contribution to charities, community groups and local organisations, but volunteering should be mutually beneficial.

Your contribution matters, and so does your experience.

A good volunteering opportunity should leave you feeling that your time is valued and that you're getting something meaningful from being involved — whether that's enjoyment, friendship, confidence, experience, new skills or simply the satisfaction of knowing you've helped.

And if your circumstances change, that's OK too. The volunteering opportunity that works for you today may not be the right one in a year's time.

Ready to find your volunteering opportunity?

The best volunteering opportunity isn't necessarily the one that asks for the most time or sounds the most impressive.

It's the one that's right for you.

Think about what you enjoy, what matters to you, what you can realistically offer and what you'd like to get from the experience.

Then start exploring.

You might be surprised by where volunteering takes you.

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