Start your volunteer journey with advice from our community

Image shows a graphic picture of a young black lady wearing a pink trouser suit standing on a road leading off into the hills. She is pointing at a sign saying "volunteering". and a banner at the bottom saying "Let's work together for a better society."
Holly Meacham
Head of Service & Operations at Reach Volunteering

We know that volunteering can bring huge personal and professional benefits. From improving your wellbeing to finding your purpose, once you’ve started your volunteering journey, the potential benefits are endless.

But getting going isn’t always easy. As with anything new, it can be hard to know what to look out for, what questions to ask and what to expect. We asked people who had volunteered before what they wish they’d known when they first started volunteering and were blown away by the rich responses.

Read on for eight awesome tips for new volunteers, by volunteers.


1. Start small, be practical

“Keep the commitment light until you feel confident.”

If you’ve never volunteered before, start with a time limited project, or a short-term commitment. This will give you a chance to try out volunteering and experiment with what works for you.

Think carefully about what you can reasonably offer. Consider how much time you can spare, whether you can travel or if remote working would be best for you, and what sort of commitment you’re willing to make. Don’t overstretch: work out what you can confidently commit to and start there – you can always build on it later.

“Be realistic about the time you can commit and find the right role for you.”

 

2. Choose something you're passionate about

“Identify what’s important to you, sounds obvious but it’s vital”

Volunteering is brilliant but it does take time and energy. Finding a role that matches your skills and experience is undoubtedly important, but also look out for causes or communities that matter to you. It will make all the difference to how you feel about your role, and how you respond if things get tough.

If you’re just getting started and you don’t have a specific cause in mind, browse through the opportunities listed on Reach. A huge range of social purpose organisations use the platform to find volunteers and trustees, so it’s a good way of finding out what’s available. It’s often the case that the more you get involved, the more you understand about a cause and the more you care - so don’t worry if you don’t have something in mind right away.

Location and organisation size can be key factors too: some volunteers love working with national charities whilst others prefer to support grassroots groups in their communities. Find out what resonates with you.

“[I] feel blessed and fortunate to be able to support the mission.”


3. Be confident in all you have to offer

“You have more transferable skills than you realise”

Your skills are valuable: don’t let a lack of belief in your abilities be the thing that holds you back. Whether you’re a mine of HR knowledge, or a whizz with a spreadsheet, you have a wealth of expertise that social purpose organisations will be crying out for. 

We often hear from volunteers who are surprised about how useful their skills are because they are used to working in a team of specialists, or with colleagues who are used to accessing their expertise. The majority of charities are small and staffed by generalists who will find the skills you use in your day job incredibly valuable, and be grateful for your input and expertise. Your input can make a huge difference to good causes, adding capacity and capability.

This is especially good advice for anyone thinking about becoming a trustee. There are lots of misconceptions around board membership but you don’t need to be a certain age or seniority, or work in a specific area to be a trustee. In fact, the best boards are made up of people who bring an array of experience, skills and perspectives to the table. Your own unique toolkit and lived experiences deserve to be shared, and can be applied in all sorts of important ways.

“Having confidence is crucial because every volunteer brings unique perspectives and abilities to the table.”


4. Make sure expectations are aligned

It’s so important that you and the organisation you volunteer with are on the same page. Too often, volunteering relationships break down when there’s a mismatch in understanding, so make time for an open conversation when you’re deciding whether to work together.

Ask the organisation to be clear about what they need, and any expectations they have for you, for example in terms of work produced, the time commitment, what training and support you’ll receive, and what their plans are for communicating with you. Share the same with the organisation: volunteering is a two-way street so if you’re looking to get something specific out of the experience, or if you’d like to approach the work differently, be honest about that.

In some cases, you will be going into an organisation as the expert in your area, which means you may see opportunities to scope the work differently, for a better outcome. Do share your thoughts with the organisation, and work with them to find the best approach.

“Think about what you can realistically give and also what you can realistically get from the opportunity too.”


5. Be aware that not all charities have good volunteer management in place

Managing volunteers is rewarding but it isn’t always easy. Doing it well takes time and resource and many non-profit organisations have little of either. It’s worth bearing in mind that there may be a mismatch between how you think things should be, and what the organisation you’re working with can offer. If you don’t feel well supported, that your work isn’t being recognised, or if something isn’t working for you, raise it with the organisation and see if you can agree a better approach between you.

“If you feel undervalued, it's okay to have an open conversation about it”


6. Remember: you can say no

Every volunteering opportunity has the potential to be amazing, but the reality is that some experiences are less than. We do sometimes hear from people who stay in volunteering roles because they feel obligated to, but this can be damaging for you, the organisation and the cause you’re all there to help. So, remember that you can leave.

We would never advocate for making a commitment lightly, but if you take on a role in all good faith, make best efforts to address any problems and it’s still not working for you, you can step down. If you feel able, share honest feedback with the organisation so they can consider what changes they could make to avoid other volunteers feeling the same way.

Don’t be put off. If you do leave a role, take time to reflect on your experience and what you’ve learned about what works and what doesn’t work for you. Take that forward into your next volunteer role, and if you’ve discovered a new must-have, talk to your next organisation about it early on.

“If it doesn’t feel right, and you’re not getting any joy out of it — don’t be swayed by guilt, step away asap”


7. You may need to compromise

“Navigating through the differing personal viewpoints was the biggest challenge”

This is a tricky one, but important. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, broaden your perspectives, and develop your skills by applying them in a new environment. This can be hugely beneficial, but it can also be challenging. In some cases, especially when you volunteer specific professional skills, you may be managed by someone who has little understanding of your area of work. Or, in a board role you might need to make collective decisions with people with different perspectives to you. If you’re new to the charity sector, you might find that things work differently to what you are used to, and you may need to adapt your approach to match.

Take the spirit of collaboration into your volunteering. Be open and flexible, but if it’s really not working and you’re sure there’s no way through, remember tip number 6.

“Be open to learning from others and embracing new perspectives. Volunteering often involves working with diverse groups, and this openness enriches your own understanding and impact”


8. It is so worth it!

It is extremely rare that we hear from people who have volunteered and regret it, and many people get so much from the experience that they continue to volunteer their skills in multiple rich and rewarding roles. Sure, sometimes things don’t work out but offering your skills, experiences and perspectives to help make the world a better place is one of the best things you can do for yourself and society. Give it a go!

“I wish I’d known how much volunteering would pay me back. Not only the obvious feel-good stuff, but in terms of learning, qualifications, network relationships, career opportunities and friendships.”

“When you approach volunteering with authenticity and cover all these elements – passion, time, skills, and self-assurance – you create the foundation for a truly rewarding experience that benefits both you and the cause you're supporting.”

“Even small contributions can inspire positive change in society, so never underestimate the power of your role as a volunteer.”

“Never retire from the want to volunteer.”