What is voluntary work? Meaning, types and examples
In short
Voluntary work is giving your time and skills for the benefit of others or a cause, without being paid. It ranges from informal acts, such as helping neighbours, to formal roles with organisations, and now includes online and micro-volunteering. It builds skills, confidence and community bonds.
Voluntary work means giving your time and skills to benefit other people, a cause or your community, without being paid. It ranges from helping a neighbour with their shopping to a regular role with a charity, and it’s a big part of social and community life.
What counts as voluntary work?
Voluntary work is any activity where you choose to give your time to help others, without pay. It covers a wide range of activities, from informal help in your community to structured roles with charities, schools, hospitals, sports clubs and events. Voluntary work and volunteering mean the same thing. Read more about what a volunteer is.
Why people do voluntary work
People volunteer to make a difference, feel fulfilled, learn new skills and meet others. Understanding those reasons helps you choose the right role, or, if you manage volunteers, design roles people want. See why people volunteer.
Types of voluntary work
Informal and formal volunteering
Informal volunteering includes things like helping neighbours or community members, without an organisation involved. Formal volunteering means giving time through an organisation, usually with a defined role, training and support.
Online and micro-volunteering
Many people now volunteer online, using their skills from home. Micro-volunteering, small tasks that take minutes rather than hours, has also grown in popularity. See our guide to online volunteering.
Examples of voluntary work
Befriending an older person by phone or in person
Sorting donations at a food bank or charity shop
Marshalling or welcoming people at an event
Mentoring a young person
Taking part in a beach clean or tree planting
Using professional skills, such as design or bookkeeping, for a charity
Serving as a trustee on a charity’s board
The benefits of voluntary work
Personal growth and new skills
Voluntary work offers chances to grow, build confidence and gain experience that strengthens your CV. See how to include volunteering on your CV and the skills volunteering builds.
Stronger communities
Voluntary work strengthens community bonds, meets local needs and gives volunteers a sense of belonging and purpose.
Making voluntary work work: advice for organisations
The best volunteering balances what volunteers want with what the organisation needs. Clear roles, good communication and regular recognition keep people engaged, and measuring impact shows the difference they make. Our guides to managing volunteers and volunteer retention explain how.
FAQs
Is voluntary work paid?
No. Voluntary work is unpaid, although many organisations reimburse out-of-pocket expenses such as travel.
Does voluntary work count as experience?
Yes. Employers and universities value voluntary work, especially when you can describe the skills you used and what you achieved.
Do volunteers have the same rights as employees?
No. Volunteers aren’t employees, but they are still protected in some ways. See volunteers’ rights.
Getting started
Looking for voluntary work? Download our app for volunteering and find opportunities near you.
Involving volunteers in your organisation? Volunteero is volunteer management software for charities, nonprofits and events. Book a demo to see how it works.
Written by
Co-founder and CEO
Ashley Staines is the co-founder and CEO of Volunteero. After seven years in investment banking, he started it to make volunteering easier to organise.
