Volunteering: up-to-date experience & references

Give a few hours, build fresh skills, and collect people who can vouch for you — a real stepping stone into paid work.

Every ‘no’ is one step closer to your ‘yes’.

Why volunteering works

Employers want recent, relevant experience and references. Volunteering gives you both — on your terms, around your life.

  • 1. Up-to-date experience — a current role on your CV beats a gap, whatever your age or stage.
  • 2. References — a supervisor who has seen you turn up and do well is a genuine referee.
  • 3. Try before you choose — test a career direction before committing to training or a big change.
  • 4. Skills & routine — teamwork, communication, timekeeping and confidence grow fast.
  • 5. A route in — many volunteers are offered paid roles when vacancies come up.

How to find a role near you

  • 1. Ask locally — charity shops, food banks, hospitals, libraries, animal shelters and sports clubs almost always need help.
  • 2. Your local council and volunteer centre list roles in your area.

Types of volunteering roles

Retail — charity shop assistant, sorting donations, window displays.
Food & community — food bank helper, community kitchen, lunch clubs.
Health & care — hospital ward volunteer, care home visitor.
Befriending & mentoring — supporting isolated people or young people.
Animals & wildlife — animal shelter helper, wildlife trust work parties.
Sports & youth — coaching, youth clubs, Scouts and Guides helpers.
Admin & fundraising — reception, data entry, event support.
Outdoors & environment — conservation, community gardens, litter picks.
Driving — taking people to appointments or delivering goods.
Skilled & trustee — legal, finance, marketing or charity trustee roles.

Putting volunteering on your CV

List it like a job: your role, the organisation, dates, and 2–3 short achievements — e.g. “Volunteer Shop Assistant, British Red Cross, 2024–present — served 40+ customers a day and trained 2 new volunteers.” Being open that it's voluntary shows initiative, not weakness.

Getting a strong reference

Agree it early: after a month or so, ask your supervisor if they'd be happy to be a referee. Keep a simple record of your hours and what you did, and ask for the reference while memories are fresh.

Good to know

  • If you claim Universal Credit or other benefits, tell your work coach — volunteering is encouraged and usually fine, as long as you keep to your agreed job-search steps.
  • Reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (travel, lunch) are normally covered — always ask.
  • Some roles need a DBS check — the organisation arranges and pays for it.
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