Volunteer in the UK | The Career Break Site

Volunteering is possible in the UK! You'll find some amazing volunteer opportunities below - in care or social enterprise. Some come with an allowance and accommodation, so are ideal for a budget career break. Most volunteer projects in the UK are full-time, and take volunteers from around the world as well as here in the UK.

Projects (7)
Organisations

Paid volunteering with vulnerable adults, Scottish Highlands, UK

L’Arche Highland is a community of more than 100 people with and without learning disabilities. You have the opportunity to join this vibrant community on a year-long career break. Full training provided, plus accommodation, meals and an allowance.

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Paid volunteering with vulnerable adults, Ipswich, UK

Challenging and rewarding work as an assistant for people with learning disabilities. You will live in a community helping a range of people live life to the full, in a vibrant and inclusive environment.

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Social Starters project in London - volunteer in social enterprise for entrepreneurs

Social enterprise volunteering in London and Brazil

If you want to use your skills to make an impact, you could volunteer on this unique placement in London or Brazil. You'll be assessed and matched with an entrepreneur or social enterprise, where you will use your skills to get a project off the ground.

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Two women and two men with downs syndrome put their arms around each others shoulders and smile.

Paid volunteering with vulnerable adults, London, UK

Spend a year as a L'Arche assistant in the London: living, working and celebrating together with people with learning disabilities, building a community where everyone can belong. You'll be supporting people to live their lives to the fullest, and you will find yourself transformed as a result.

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An informal black and white picture of a group of people, including those with special needs at a party outdoors.

Paid volunteer placements with vulnerable adults, West Sussex, UK

As a live-in assistant, you will be at the very heart of this diverse and welcoming community, living and working side-by-side with people with learning disabilities. Come for a year and get a wealth of experience money can’t buy!

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Live and work with adults with learning disabilities in the Brecon Beacons, UK

Spend a year as a volunteering in the foothills of the beautiful Brecon Beacons National Park, living with people with learning disabilities and supporting them in their daily lives. Challenging, rewarding and life-changing.

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Volunteer with vulnerable adults, Kent, UK

Live and work in a Christian community on your career break. It is truly inclusive - those of all faiths and none are welcome - and you will be working alongside some fantastic people. Plus you will get accommodation, meals and an allowance.

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The UK is becoming more and more popular amongst career breakers wanting to volunteer. Most places will accept volunteers from both the UK and abroad. Volunteering placements listed here are usually full-time and unlike volunteer placements abroad, are free and usually come with an allowance.

Where can I volunteer in the UK?

Full-time volunteer projects in the UK are available all over the country - from remote places in Wales and Scotland, to right in central London. As many come with accommodation, it means you can live somewhere you might not ordinarily be able to afford.

Volunteering in the UK is ideal for British people who can't or don't want to travel abroad. It's also great for volunteers from abroad who want to spend some time in the UK, getting to know the country and its people - and t's easier than getting paid work.

What volunteer work can I do in the UK?

There are a variety of volunteer placements available in the UK.

Some of the most common (and those featured on this site) involve live-in care work for people with learning disabilities. These placements involve living in a community with other volunteers and residents, so it's immersive and inclusive.

There are also projects working with children, in conservation, and in social enterprises, where you can use your business and entrepreneurial skills to make a difference.

How long can I volunteer in the UK?

Volunteer placements in the UK can be quite long. Some, like the ones abroad, are for a few weeks or months, but others require a commitment of a year. It depends on the type of volunteering you want to do - in placements where you're a live-in volunteer, receiving training or are part of a long-term project, you will normally be required to stay for a minimum period.

What will I get out of volunteering in the UK?

Volunteering in the UK is obviously ideal for a British person who is unable or unwilling to travel abroad, for whatever reason. That's not the only advantage to volunteering in the UK though! There's no language barrier, it's easier culturally, and you have less to sort out at home - although be aware that some volunteering placements do require you to live away from your normal home.

Volunteering in the UK is also an option for career breakers from other countries who want to visit the UK for a long period, but either don't want to work here, or aren't eligible for a working holiday visa - or who simply want to give back.

If that sounds like the sort of thing that you'd like to do on your career break, see all our partner volunteer organisations working in the UK here.