Volunteering in London: how to find a role that fits your life
From a single Saturday to a weekly shift, there is a way to give time that fits around work, study and family. Here is how to find it.
Illustrative image.
The short answer
To volunteer in London, decide how much time you can give and what you enjoy, then search the national Do IT database, ask your local volunteer centre, or contact organisations you care about directly. Many roles, from food banks to befriending, need no experience. Roles with children or vulnerable adults usually need a DBS check, which is free for volunteers.
Key points
- Decide on time and interest first. It makes the search far easier.
- The Do IT database lists thousands of London roles, searchable by postcode.
- One-off and seasonal roles exist, but popular dates such as Christmas fill early.
- Roles with children or vulnerable adults usually need a DBS check, free for volunteers.
- Skills-based volunteering lets professionals give expertise remotely.
London runs on volunteers more than most people realise. Food banks, hospital wards, youth clubs, parks, museums, helplines and night shelters all rely on people who turn up because they want to. If you have been meaning to volunteer and have not known where to start, this guide will get you from intention to a first shift.
Start with two questions
Before you look at a single listing, answer two questions honestly. How much time can you really give? And what kind of help do you enjoy? A role that fits your week is one you will keep doing. A role that sounds impressive but clashes with your commute will quietly fall away.
- A few hours, once: event stewarding, a park clean-up, a charity fun run, a packing day.
- A regular slot: a weekly food bank shift, befriending an older neighbour, mentoring a young person.
- Flexible and remote: telephone befriending, helpline work, or professional skills such as design, finance or legal advice.
The kinds of roles available
Volunteering in London covers almost every interest. Some of the areas with the most regular need are:
Food and essentials
Food banks, community kitchens, clothing banks and soup runs need people to sort donations, pack parcels, cook and serve.
Homelessness and outreach
Night shelters, day centres and outreach services often train volunteers to welcome guests, serve food and offer company.
Hospitals and health
Hospital volunteers guide visitors, sit with patients and support wards. NHS trusts across London run their own programmes.
Older people and befriending
Regular visits or phone calls to older neighbours help tackle loneliness, one of the quieter hardships in a big city.
Children and young people
Mentoring, reading support and youth clubs make a lasting difference to young Londoners.
Environment and animals
Park friends groups, conservation days and animal shelters welcome people who prefer to work outdoors.
Where to find volunteering roles
You can search in a few different ways, and it is worth using more than one:
- Do IT (opens in a new tab) is the UK's national database of volunteering opportunities, searchable by postcode and interest.
- NCVO (opens in a new tab), the national body for voluntary organisations, keeps a list of trusted places to search.
- Team London (opens in a new tab), the Mayor of London's volunteering programme, recruits volunteers for major events in the capital.
- Reach Volunteering (opens in a new tab) matches people with professional skills to charities that need them.
- Your local council or volunteer centre often knows about small neighbourhood groups that never appear on national sites.
- Contacting an organisation you already care about directly is often the quickest route of all.
Volunteering for a day, or at Christmas
One-off volunteering is a lovely way to start. Charity events, fun runs and clean-ups regularly need stewards for a single day, and some organisations run team days for companies and groups of friends.
Christmas is the most popular time to volunteer, which means roles fill early, sometimes by October. If you want to help over the festive period, apply in the autumn. It is also worth remembering that the need does not end in January. Committing to a shift in February, when donations and volunteers drop away, can be just as valuable.
DBS checks and training
If a role involves working with children or vulnerable adults, the organisation will usually ask you to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check. For volunteers, standard and enhanced DBS checks are free (opens in a new tab). The organisation will guide you through the process, and good organisations will also offer training, a named person to go to, and clear expectations.
Your first shift
Turn up a little early, wear comfortable clothes, and ask questions. Nobody expects you to know everything on day one. Most people find that the nerves disappear within the first hour, usually around the moment someone thanks them.
At The Light Of God we are building a volunteer team for street outreach, food and clothing, hospital visits and events in London. We are at the very beginning, so you would be helping to shape how we work. If that appeals, you can tell us about yourself.
Questions people ask
How do I start volunteering in London?
Decide how much time you can give and what interests you, then search the Do IT database, contact your local volunteer centre, or approach an organisation you already care about directly.
Can I volunteer in London for just one day?
Yes. Charity events, park clean-ups and packing days often need volunteers for a single day. Some organisations also run team volunteering days for workplaces and groups.
Do I need a DBS check to volunteer?
Only for some roles, usually those involving children or vulnerable adults. Standard and enhanced DBS checks are free for volunteers, and the organisation will arrange it.
When should I apply for Christmas volunteering in London?
Apply in the autumn, ideally by October. Festive roles are popular and fill early. Volunteering in January and February is also valuable, when help tends to fall away.
Can I volunteer remotely?
Yes. Telephone befriending, helplines and skills-based volunteering such as design, finance or mentoring can often be done from home.
Sources
- Do IT: find volunteering opportunities, Do IT
- What is Team London, Greater London Authority
- Find a volunteering opportunity, NCVO
- Reach Volunteering, Reach Volunteering
- DBS check application process for volunteers, GOV.UK
Last reviewed . Spotted something out of date? Tell us through our contact page.
