Information on

Voluntary work can be an opportunity to learn new skills, or develop existing ones. It can be an important first step into a number of careers.

The following links are provided for information only. Please note that the University of Essex Careers Centre is not held responsible for arrangements that individuals or groups make with any organisation contacted through the information sources detailed on this page. Volunteers are strongly advised to satisfy themselves that any project has sound management, policies to protect volunteers and those involved with the project and that they fully understand any financial implications related to any project before enrolling on it.

To celebrate Student Volunteering Week 2010 (22-28 February), Volunteering England commissioned a piece of research to increase knowledge and information about students volunteering in the UK. View the research findings at www.volunteering.org.uk.

V-Team (run by the University of Essex Students' Union) co-ordinates volunteer opportunities in local community projects. Opportunities in environmental projects, schools, sports coaching and many more.

• CSV is the UK's largest volunteering and training organisations.

• Colchester Community Voluntary Services

• Cathedral camps experience the hidden history of some of Britain's oldest buildings 

• Do-it postcode search for volunteering opportunities in the UK

• Groundwork environmental regeneration charity offering volunteering opportunities

• Jobcentre Plus volunteer work search

• National centre for volunteering

• Timebank is a national organisation promoting voluntary work

• Community channel website of the digital channel

• Youth action network promotes volunteering for young people

• British Red Cross offer a range of volunteer opportunities

• Jesuit Volunteer Community offering work in British inner cities

• 2Way Development volunteer work abroad

• ELDIS includes volunteering links and opportunities in development/environment sector

• Emmaus UK, Europe and International volunteering

• Institute of Cultural Affairs (UK) offers 1 year placements with local development organisations worldwide

• LemonGrass Volunteering in Thailand

• International Voluntary Service international summer work camps

• NABUUR is a global aid organisation that matches Online volunteers with local communities in need of information and help.

• Development in Action self funded volunteers working in india

• UN volunteers includes information on how to volunteer and online volunteering

  • See also UN internships.

• UIA (Union of International Associations) provides links to volunteering and employment sites in the ngo sector 

• VSO (voluntary Service Overseas)

• WorldWide Volunteering database of volunteering organisations in the UK and worldwide.

• ICYE International Cultural Youth Exchange

• Starfish Ventures - UK company based in Thailand

• SupportATCE - Anglo Thai Cultural Exchange

• The Mountain Trust volunteering and internships in Nepal

• VolunTeach Peru

• Projects Abroad

• Plan My Gap Year