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Want UK experience while job hunting? How to start volunteering, and the rules to check

Volunteering means giving your time, unpaid, to a charity or community organisation. You can get expenses such as travel and food, and if you claim benefits you can usually volunteer as long as you keep meeting your benefit conditions. On Universal Credit, it can count towards part of your work-search time.

Reviewed 08/11/2026 · Applies to: UK-wide (benefit rules shown are DWP rules)

Who this helps

Jobseekers, newcomers and anyone in the UK who wants to get involved locally and build experience through volunteering.

What to do

  1. Find a role through organisations listed on GOV.UK, including NCVO, NAVCA, NHS Volunteering, Reach Volunteering (for skills such as accountancy, marketing, law or IT), Volunteering Matters, Volunteering Wales and Volunteer Scotland.
  2. Agree expenses before you start. Expenses usually cover food, drink, travel or equipment you need to buy.
  3. If you claim benefits, tell the office that pays your benefits about your volunteering before you start.
  4. On Universal Credit, ask your work coach how volunteering fits your plan: it can count for up to half of your agreed work-search time.
  5. If you are in the UK on a visa, check with UK Visas and Immigration that your visa allows volunteering. Some visas allow it and others do not.
  6. For roles with children or vulnerable adults, expect a criminal record (DBS) check. A criminal record does not stop you volunteering in most roles, depending on the offence.

Before you act

  • Volunteers do not have an employment contract, so you do not have the same rights as an employee or worker.
  • If you receive payment or rewards beyond expenses, you might be treated as an employee or worker, and unpaid work that would normally be paid can affect benefits.
  • This is general information, not legal or immigration advice.

Take the next step

Continue to the provider’s website to check the latest details and use the service.

GOV.UK: find volunteer opportunities ↗

Destination: www.gov.uk

Sources

MyAgumba explains the sources above. Eligibility and availability depend on your circumstances and the provider’s current rules.