Volunteer

We are delighted to extend a warm welcome to volunteers from all corners of the United Kingdom. We value diversity and encourage volunteers of all ages and abilities from all sections of the community.

Restrictions on volunteering in the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)

• People from outside the UK & Republic of Ireland (including EU, EEA & Swiss citizens) will be able to volunteer given the following circumstances:
• People who have settled or pre-settled status ​
• People who have a visa which doesn't prevent them from volunteering (check circumstances).
• Standard Visitors apart from a few exceptions (check circumstances) may volunteer for up to 30 days during their stay.
• People who are enrolled in any EU funded volunteering programme with a placement in the UK, such as Erasmus + or the European Solidarity Corps.
• Asylum seekers, including failed asylum seekers and their family members and those who have refugee status or humanitarian protection.

• It is important that individual volunteers take responsibility themselves for ensuring they are allowed to volunteer. If in doubt, potential volunteers should contact the UK Border Agency for advice - www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/contact/. For further information please see the linked document​​ (taken from NCVO)

   

Restrictions on volunteering in the Republic of Ireland (non-UK residents)
 

• EU/EEA & Swiss residents must apply for an Irish volunteer visa from the country in which they are legal resident; non-EU,EEA and Swiss residents must gain prior permission from the Irish Department of Justice and Equality (INIS)​

If you'd like to find out more, please contact your local corps or check out our current vacancies and find out more about getting involved.

Before you join us as a volunteer, you will be asked to complete a volunteer application form, attend an informal chat and provide a couple of referees for us to contact (depending upon the role you are applying for). Some roles will require a disclosure check – which we will support you with - but this will be made clear in the role description. When you start as a volunteer you will be provided with an induction programme and any training you may need to carry out the role.

There are many ways you can help us make a difference, no matter how much time you have available or the level of commitment you can afford to give. Volunteering is a great way of learning some new skills or using existing ones.