Volunteering
In this section...
- Why volunteer?
- Finding opportunities to volunteer
- Virtual volunteering
- Funding a voluntary project
- Need more help?
Why volunteer?
By volunteering you give your time, energy and experience for the benefit of others yet often you benefit more!
As a volunteer you can gain:
- Valuable employability skills
- Practical work experience
- A network of contacts
- Potential employment opportunities
- The chance to try something new!
Voluntary work can be flexible to fit around your commitments. You can choose to volunteer alongside your course, as part of your study, during vacation periods or in a gap year.
It is worth also bearing in mind that some careers are difficult to get into if you have not had previous volunteer experience, for example working in development or the environment.
If you are giving up your free time and wanting to give your best, it is wise to do something you are passionate about.
The following resources contain more information on the benefits of volunteering:
- London Student Volunteering Survey (PDF: 1.25MB) - explores the impact of volunteering on university students in London. Produced by Workers in Student Community Volunteering.
- Journey to Work (video) - student and employer insights on the benefits of volunteering. Please log in to access off campus. A reference copy is also available in the Careers Service.
- Guardian careers: Q&A - a student and graduate guide to volunteering.
Finding opportunities to volunteer
Vacancies Online -
search for voluntary opportunities in the North East, UK and overseas. Login to sign up for personalised email alerts. Vacancies Online is only accessible to Newcastle University students and registered graduates.
In the North East
- ncl+
- Career Development Module
- SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise)
- Student Community Action Newcastle (SCAN)
- Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service
- Gateshead Voluntary Organisations Council
In the UK
- Do-it
- CSV
- Time Bank
- Vinspired
- Charities Direct
- Association of Charity Shops: volunteer in a charity shop
- WRVS
- Volunteering England
- ProjectScotland
- gov.uk - find volunteer placements
- National Youth Agency
- National Council for Voluntary Organisations - news and information about voluntary organisations.
- Volunteer Now - volunteering in Northern Ireland
Outside the UK
- World Wide Volunteering
- WorkingAbroad
- InterVol
- Go Abroad: Volunteer Abroad Search
- European Voluntary Service
- International Citizen Service - government initiative providing young people (18-22) with 3 month voluntary work placements in deprived areas overseas. Funding is available on a means-tested basis.
- Raleigh International - charity offering 5-10 week voluntary expeditions in Borneo, India, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Bursaries are available for people aged 17-24 who need financial support to take part.
- Lattitude Global Volunteering - international youth development charity offering volunteering and gap year placements for people aged 17-25. Bursaries are available for UK applicants who need financial support to take part.
- Madventurer - non-profit volunteering opportunities in Africa, Asia and South America.
- POD - non-profit organisation offering 1 week to 6 month volunteer projects around the world.
- Concordia - non-profit organisation offering volunteer projects in over 60 countries.
- UNA Exchange - non-profit organisation offering 1-12 month volunteer projects in over 60 countries.
See Taking time out and Working in development for more information on agencies offering international voluntary work.
Virtual Volunteering
Working from home as a volunteer can be a good option if you want experience which is flexible around your study commitments. Virtual volunteering allows you to contribute your spare time to a good cause, while building up experience and skills in a variety of areas, such as writing, editing, translation, research, IT, or training.
- Do-it – an introduction to virtual volunteering, including where you can search for opportunities.
- United Nations Volunteering Online – a range of voluntary projects available for international charities.
- Sparked – online volunteering opportunities.
- vlabsblog – blog posts and case studies about virtual volunteers.
Funding a voluntary project
- ncl+: funding for projects
- Newcastle University Student Wellbeing have a section on funding expeditions. See Newcastle University’s Expeditions web pages for inspiration and more information.
- gov.uk: applying for funding for community projects - links to local government contacts.
- The Raleigh Bursary Award - bursaries for British citizens under the age of 24. Includes fundraising ideas.
- Lattitude Global Volunteering Bursaries - available for UK applicants aged 17-25. Includes fundraising ideas.
Need more help?
Call in to the Careers Service for further help and advice - no appointment necessary.
Visit gov.uk for information about employment rights as a volunteer.