Community Work in London: How to Volunteer in the Capital

If you’re new to London, volunteering can be a great way to get to know the city while doing something that genuinely matters to you. With so many charities, community groups and organisations across the capital, there are plenty of ways to get involved and bring life to your passions.

If you’re seeking rewarding experiences and a sense of community in a city that can often feel  intimidating when seeking work, LHA London has you covered. 

Reasons to volunteer 

Volunteering can provide several tangible and emotional benefits that you will carry throughout your career and in life. Whatever your reason, community work in London could become an important and valuable part of your experience living in the capital.

It allows you to: 

1. Support something that matters to you 

Volunteer work allows you to impact change in an area that you feel truly passionate about.

Choosing something you genuinely care about is likely to make the experience much more rewarding. When you believe in what you’re doing, turning up each week feels less like another obligation and more like something you’re choosing to be part of.

London is home to charities and community organisations working across almost every area you can imagine. You could lend support to:

• Homeless charities 
• Animal shelters 
• Local litter clean ups 
• Environmental movements 
• University support 
• Accommodating young people 

2. Gain valuable skills 

Volunteering can also help you develop skills that you can take with you into your career.

Depending on the role, you could develop your communication, organisation, teamwork or customer service skills. You might also have the opportunity to take on responsibilities that you haven’t experienced before.

This can be particularly useful if you’re looking for your first job or trying to move into a new industry. Having volunteering experience to talk about in an interview can give you real examples of how you’ve dealt with challenges and taken responsibility. 

3. Meet people who share the same values as you 

If you don’t know many people in the city, volunteering gives you a natural way to meet others. You’ll already have something in common with the people around you, which can make starting conversations much easier.

You may meet people from completely different backgrounds and find yourself making friends you wouldn’t otherwise have met.

4. Better your career opportunities 

Some employers will use volunteering work as valuable evidence of your commitment to the profession, as well as evidence that you are self motivated and responsible. This is entirely industry and company dependent, but putting volunteer work on your CV is always a good way to show your skill and industriousness.

Things to consider before volunteering

There are so many volunteering opportunities in London that finding the right one can feel overwhelming. Before you start applying, think about what you actually want from the experience.

How much time do you have?

Be realistic about how much time you can give to the cause. If you’re studying or working, you might only have a few hours a week available. Other people may have more time and want to take on a larger commitment.

Some organisations need regular volunteers, while others offer one off events or occasional opportunities. Finding something that fits around your existing commitments will make it much easier to stick with.

Do you want something permanent or temporary?

You should also consider how long you want to volunteer for. A regular position can help you become part of a team and build relationships with the people you work with. It can also give you more time to develop your skills and take on additional responsibilities.

If your schedule changes regularly, occasional charity work may be a better option. You could volunteer at individual events or help out when you have some free time. Some charities will have dedicated volunteer groups that will ask for help when needed and anyone in the group can volunteer if they are free on that day. This can be an excellent option if you’re studying or working full time. 

Do you want to further your career?

If career development is one of your reasons for volunteering, look for opportunities that will allow you to develop relevant skills.

For example, if you’re interested in hospitality, you could look for volunteering that involves working with guests or helping at events. If you’re interested in marketing, you might find an organisation looking for help with social media or communications.

Your volunteering doesn’t need to be directly related to your future career, though. Employers also value transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, conscientiousness, forward thinking, and organisation.

What causes do you care about? 

One of the best reasons to volunteer is to support something you care about. Make a list of ideas you’d like to pursue. For example, if you are passionate about animal welfare, you could look for animal shelters, protest groups, foster care, conservation groups, or pet food bank schemes.

If you want to make a better future for young people in your community, you could consider career advice, volunteering at a hostel, or supporting local youth groups.

Where to find volunteering opportunities in London

A good place to begin is with charities that you already know or whose work you support. Visit their websites and see whether they have any current volunteering opportunities.

You can also look for local organisations in your area. Community centres, food banks, environmental projects and smaller charities may all need volunteers, and volunteering locally can be a great way to get to know your neighbourhood.

If you’re a student, it’s also worth checking your university’s careers service or students’ union. They may have relationships with local organisations or advertise volunteering opportunities specifically for students.

You can also use dedicated volunteering websites to search by location, cause and time commitment. This can be useful if you know you want to volunteer in a particular part of London or only have certain days available.

What should you look for when choosing a volunteer role?

Before applying, take some time to read the role description properly.

You should understand:

• What you’ll actually be doing
• Where the role is based
• How many hours are expected
• Whether you need previous experience
• Whether training is provided
• How long the organisation expects you to commit
• Whether travel or other expenses are covered
• Whether you need a DBS check
• What support will be available

Will you have to pay to volunteer?

Volunteering itself is unpaid, but it shouldn’t leave you out of pocket.

Some organisations reimburse reasonable expenses connected with volunteering, which could include travel, meals, equipment or other costs depending on the role. NCVO recommends that organisations make their expenses policies clear to volunteers and consider the costs that could prevent people from getting involved.

Before accepting a role, ask whether expenses are covered and how you claim them. You may need to keep receipts or travel tickets.

If an opportunity requires you to spend a significant amount of your own money each week, think carefully about whether it is financially sustainable for you.

Do you need a DBS check?

Some volunteering roles require a DBS check, particularly if you will be working with children or certain groups of vulnerable people. This doesn’t mean that every volunteer needs one.

Whether a DBS check is required depends on the role and the type of work you’ll be doing. If you’re applying for a role that requires a DBS check, the organisation should explain this as part of the application process.

Don’t let the idea of a DBS check put you off applying. It is generally part of an organisation’s safeguarding process and is there to help protect the people involved.

How to apply for a volunteering position

Once you’ve found an opportunity that interests you, take some time to read the application carefully.

You may be asked to complete an application form, provide a CV or attend an interview. This can sound intimidating if you haven’t volunteered before, but remember that organisations understand that people come from different backgrounds and have different levels of experience.

When you’re applying, focus on why you want to volunteer and what you can bring to the role. You don’t need to have experience or an impressive CV. Your experience at university, school, work or even in your personal life may have helped you develop skills that are relevant to volunteering.

Most importantly, be honest about your availability and make sure you understand what the organisation expects from you.

What do volunteering organisations look for?

Every organisation will be looking for something slightly different, but there are a few qualities that are useful in almost every volunteering position.

Reliability is important. If you agree to volunteer every Saturday, the organisation needs to know that they can depend on you. Likewise, enthusiasm goes a long way. You don’t need to know everything before you start, but you should be willing to learn and get stuck in. You should also be prepared to work with other people.

If you’re invited to an interview, remember that you can ask questions too. Find out what your responsibilities will be and what training you’ll receive. 

Volunteering with LHA London

At LHA London, we thrive on the work of volunteers just like you. All of our volunteers make a positive impact on the young people staying with us, from serving hot, delicious meals to cleaning and managing admin, we have a position suitable for your needs.

You could gain valuable experience and improve your English whilst giving back to the charitable work we do; helping young people find suitable accommodation for young people in London and opening doors for better futures.

When you volunteer with LHA, you could unlock free accommodation with our other volunteers, allowing you to make friends along the way.

Volunteer with LHA London today.

For more information about how our charity can help you get set up in the big city, take a look at our available accommodation and don’t forget to check out our offer to discover what we can offer you.