Living in the UK: Volunteering in the UK

The British people may be famous for their love of pubs and football, and it is hard to miss how much our neighbours are into gardening and taking holidays. But there is one main aspect - a culture, even - that a lot of Brits take part in. One that may not be immediately obvious, but is actually instrumental in shaping British life since the Middle Ages: volunteering. 

The History of Volunteering in the UK

The first voluntary services in Britain were the Church’s charity services to the poor and the unwell. In the 12th and the 13th Centuries, England had more than 500 voluntary hospitals - all established and run by the different Christian religious orders. In the 18th and 19th Centuries, with the emergence of philanthropists-supported voluntary hospitals and charity organisations like YMCA, The Salvation Army and the British Red Cross, volunteering became organised and also extended beyond the church communities. In the early 20th Century, millions took part to support wartime charities in the two World Wars. These newly-founded wartime (and post-war) volunteering organisations laid the groundwork of the contemporary culture of volunteering in the UK. 

Even today, volunteering remains at the heart of British civic life. And it is not an exaggeration to suggest that volunteering is what keeps Britain going: during the Covid-19 lockdown, the UK Government called for volunteers for the NHS to support the vulnerable people in their own communities. And many answered the call: even under the shadow of the pandemic, over 50% of the population in England had volunteered at least once in 2021-22, for NHS as well as different charity organisations. This means you might have already come across quite a number of people who volunteer (some even regularly) in your everyday life! The types of voluntary services also extend well beyond community healthcare - these days, you can volunteer to help conserve the environment, be a sports coach, volunteer at libraries or archives or food banks… The opportunities are endless! 

Benefits of Volunteering

Why do so many people volunteer? Of course, we all love to make a positive difference in the world. But this is not the only reason. By volunteering, one can meet and befriend people from different walks of life. It also improves one’s mental health, for helping others make us feel good and working with others increases one’s confidence in social situations. 

For those who are new to the UK, volunteering can give insight into the local community and the UK workplace and social cultures. Volunteers can also gain new skills and experiences - things that are very useful for strengthening one’s CVs or exploring a new career field. The transferable skills and the expanded network of contacts gained through volunteering can also help when it comes to looking for work. 

How to Start Volunteering in the UK?

So, how to start volunteering in the UK? You can start close and start small, by asking your local communities or churches whether there is something you can help with. The other possibility is to just try it, even if it is only for an hour or for a day. To celebrate King Charles III’s coronation, charity organisations across the UK are coming together to launch a project called The Big Help Out, in which different charities will provide volunteering opportunities starting from 8 May (Coronation Bank Holiday). You can download the project app from their website, and find interesting volunteering opportunities in your cities or with services that you are passionate about, that you can join together with your friends. 

To find out more about volunteering in the UK, and about other volunteering opportunities, you can visit the UK Government webpage on volunteering. The Prospects also has a comprehensive page on volunteering in the UK, and offers good examples of volunteering in different sectors, like schools, arts and cultures, sports, and environmental conservations. So, visit these websites today and see if you find some interesting volunteering opportunities - it might open doors to making a difference not only for the world, but also for you! 

Tip: 

You might need to undergo a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check (or  Disclosure Scotland in Scotland and Access Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland) if you want to volunteer with children and vulnerable adults. Which, sadly, might be difficult for some of us to obtain. However, there are still many different roles that do not require a DBS (or equivalent) check!