A beginner's guide to: Formal volunteering

organised volunteering, structured volunteer work

Formal volunteering involves committing your time and skills to support organised groups or causes, creating a structured way to give back.

In a hurry and don't have any questions?

  1. Check out our safety recommendations.

  2. Clarify the time commitment required for your initial volunteering session.

  3. Consider what items might be useful to bring and pack accordingly.

  4. Be open-minded about this first experience. It may or may not be right for you, but it will be a learning opportunity.

  5. When you are ready, head to our Practice Guides and get started.

Looking for detailed practice guides? Hang tight, they are coming soon!

What is formal volunteering?

Formal volunteering is a powerful way to connect with your community while making a meaningful difference. Whether you're helping out at a local charity, supporting a cause you care deeply about or lending your expertise to an organisation in need, volunteering offers a structured environment to contribute your time and skills. It's an opportunity to meet new people, learn new things and feel a sense of accomplishment. As you dive into the world of formal volunteering, you’ll experience what it is to give back and the satisfaction of contributing your efforts. Let’s explore how you can get involved and make a positive impact.

Why formal volunteering is good for you

While volunteering is about helping others, it's also a powerful way to enhance your own wellbeing, both mentally and emotionally.

Enhanced sense of purpose

Self well-being

Stress reduction

Emotional well-being

Improved social connections

Social well-being

Increased physical activity

Physical well-being

Boosted self-esteem

Self well-being

People who love formal volunteering

Jimmy Carter

Person

Angelina Jolie

Actor

Roger Federer

Sports

Parks and Recreation

TV Show

Real people's experiences

Starting formal volunteering? Read this first

Volunteering comes in various forms, allowing you to choose what best fits your interests and schedule.

Common styles

Hands-on volunteering

Virtual volunteering

Event-based volunteering

Skills-based volunteering

Safety

⚠️

Understand what skills and responsibilities will be asked for and ensure it’s a good match.

What you might experience

🤔

"What am I walking into here?"

😊

"Okay, this is happening"

😬

"I hope I'm actually being helpful!"

😌

"This is kind of cool!"

😊

"Yeah I'll come back, I'm in!"

Getting started guides coming soon...

Are you ready to start formal volunteering?

We are busy working on detailed getting started guides and individual practice guides to follow.

What you need to know about volunteering

Wondering whether you should start on your own or in a group set up for this activity? Explore the table below and discover everything you need to know to get your practice started today.

Compare

Recommendation for first-timer

Availability

Average cost per session

Special equipment required

Potential for socialisation & community

Safety & skill building

Space or privacy required

Ease of scheduling

Setup time

Active practice time

Unexpected advantages

Ancestry, history, facts and other trivia

2020 saw an uptick in virtual volunteering due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Harry Potter fans volunteer at events to promote literacy and community engagement.

Formal volunteering dates back to the American Civil War when women volunteered as nurses.

Popular memes

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6 memes

Academic research we rate

Volunteering in the care of people with severe mental illness: a systematic review

Hallett, C., Klug, G., Lauber, C., & Priebe, S. (2012). Volunteering in the care of people with severe mental illness: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-244x-12-226

Impact of Crisis Line Volunteering on Mental Wellbeing and the Associated Factors: A Systematic Review

Willems, R., Drossaert, C., Vuijk, P., & Bohlmeijer, E. (2020). Impact of Crisis Line Volunteering on Mental Wellbeing and the Associated Factors: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(5), 1641. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17051641

What are the emotional experiences of being a volunteer in palliative and end-of-life care settings? A systematic review and thematic synthesis.

Coleman, H., & Walshe, C. (2021). What are the Emotional Experiences of Being a Volunteer in Palliative and End-of-Life Care Settings? A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 62(3), e232–e247. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2021.02.025

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7 research pieces

Introduction guides from around the web

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