Volunteering is a fantastic way to develop new skills, build confidence, meet new people, and contribute positively to your community. Whether you’re looking to gain experience for your CV, explore a new career path, or support a cause you care about, volunteering can be a great next step.
Volunteering can also help you progress into employment, further study, apprenticeships, or additional training. Many employers value volunteering because it demonstrates commitment, initiative, and a willingness to learn.
What Is Volunteering?
Volunteering is when you choose to give your time and skills to help others, support a community, or contribute to an organisation without being paid.
Volunteer roles can be found in:
- Charities
- Community groups
- Schools and colleges
- Hospitals and healthcare services
- Environmental organisations
- Sports clubs
- Museums and heritage sites
- Animal welfare organisations
There are opportunities for people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering can help you:
- Gain experience for your CV
- Build confidence
- Meet new people
- Develop skills employers value
- Explore different career sectors
- Give back to your community
- Improve your wellbeing
- Make a positive social and environmental impact
- Many learners use volunteering as a stepping stone into employment or further learning.
Volunteering and Social Justice
Social justice is about creating a fairer society where everyone has access to opportunities, support, and respect.
Many volunteering opportunities contribute to social justice by supporting:
- People experiencing poverty
- Refugees and migrants
- Older adults
- Disabled people
- Young people
- Individuals experiencing homelessness
- Mental health services
- Community wellbeing projects
By volunteering, you can help reduce barriers, support inclusion, and contribute to positive change within your local community. Every action, no matter how small, can make a difference. At Fircroft College, we believe that education, opportunity, inclusion, and community are important elements of creating a fairer society. Volunteering is one way you can put these values into practice.
Volunteering and Green Skills
Many volunteering opportunities also support environmental sustainability and climate action.
Green volunteering can help you:
- Learn about environmental issues
- Develop practical outdoor skills
- Improve local green spaces
- Support biodiversity projects
- Gain experience relevant to green careers
Examples of green volunteering opportunities include:
- Community gardening
- Conservation volunteering
- Tree planting
- Climate action projects
- Recycling initiatives
- Environmental education projects
- Community clean-up events
These activities can help develop skills that are increasingly valued across the growing green sector.
Skills You Can Develop Through Volunteering
Volunteering helps you build many of the same skills employers look for in paid work.
Examples include:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Organisation
- Leadership
- Customer service
- Time management
- Digital skills
- Adaptability
- Confidence
These are often referred to as transferable skills because they can be used across many sectors and jobs.
Volunteering Counts as Experience
A common misconception is that only paid work belongs on a CV.
This isn’t true.
Volunteering can be included within:
- Work Experience
- Skills Sections
- Personal Statements
- Cover Letters
- Job Applications
Employers often value the commitment and initiative demonstrated through volunteering.
Examples of Volunteer Roles
Depending on your interests and career goals, you might consider:
Health and Social Care
- Befriender
- Community Support Volunteer
- Wellbeing Volunteer
- Hospital Volunteer
- Activities Volunteer
Education and Community Work
- Learning Support Volunteer
- Youth Volunteer
- Community Development Volunteer
- Family Support Volunteer
Environment and Sustainability
- Conservation Volunteer
- Community Gardener
- Climate Action Volunteer
- Parks Volunteer
Hospitality and Events
- Events Volunteer
- Visitor Welcome Volunteer
- Front of House Volunteer
- Community Café Volunteer
Administration and Digital
- Office Volunteer
- Social Media Volunteer
- Digital Support Volunteer
- Charity Administration Volunteer
Many of these opportunities exist across the West Midlands and beyond!
Where Can I Find Volunteering Opportunities?
Do-it
A national database of volunteering opportunities.
Volunteering Matters
Offers a variety of structured volunteering programmes.
Birmingham Voluntary Service Council (BVSC)
Offers a variety of structured volunteering programmes in the West Midlands.
National Trust
Volunteer opportunities supporting heritage, conservation, and the environment.
St John Ambulance
Volunteer roles linked to community health, events, and first aid.
Local Charities and Community Groups
Many local charities, community centres, food banks, museums, and environmental groups advertise opportunities directly through their websites and social media channels.
Volunteering as a Career Step
Volunteering can be particularly useful if you are:
- Returning to work after a break
- Changing careers
- Looking for your first role
- Building confidence after completing a course
- Wanting to gain UK experience
- Looking to develop references
Many learners find that volunteering helps them explore a sector before committing to paid employment or further training.
Recording Your Volunteering Experience
Keep a record of:
- Your role
- Dates of involvement
- Tasks completed
- Skills developed
- Training attended
- Achievements and successes
This information can be extremely helpful when updating your CV, LinkedIn profile, apprenticeship applications, or preparing for interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need experience to volunteer?
- No. Many volunteering roles are designed for beginners and provide training and support.
How much time do I need to commit?
- This depends on the organisation. Some opportunities may only require a few hours each month, while others involve regular weekly commitments.
Can volunteering help me get a job?
- Yes. Volunteering can help you develop skills, gain experience, build confidence, and obtain references that can support future applications.
Can I include volunteering on my CV?
- Absolutely. Volunteering is a valuable form of experience and should be included where relevant.
What if I’m changing careers?
- Volunteering can be an excellent way to gain experience in a new sector and develop relevant skills before applying for paid roles.
Can volunteering lead to paid employment?
- Sometimes. While there is never a guarantee, volunteering can help you develop connections, experience, and skills that may lead to future employment opportunities.
Need More Support?
If you would like support with:
- Finding volunteering opportunities
- Identifying volunteer roles linked to your career goals
- Updating your CV with volunteering experience
- Preparing applications
- Exploring progression routes into work, apprenticeships, or further study
you can contact:
Email: robyn.dawes@fircroft.ac.uk
Phone: 07984 444750
