Full-Time Volunteering

EVS (European Voluntary Service) is an international volunteer program funded by the European Commission. It enables all young people legally resident in Europe, aged between 18 and 30 years, to carry out an international volunteer service in an organisation or in a public body in Europe, Africa, Asia or South America for a period ranging … Continued

'We raised our voice on the behalf of women who experienced abuse, violence, exploitation and discrimination.'

'That's why, if you like to meet new people, to discover a new country and to help people while developing your skills then become a volunteer!!'

'It was the most beautiful feeling ever to use my professional skills to help her. It was different and made me feel like a special and better person.'

'I got to support amazing people and watch them overcome challenges and become more confident in trusting their own abilities.'

'I have learnt how important is to practice active listening, and how it has enhanced my empathy for vulnerable individuals.'

'I used to think that one person couldn’t change the world, but I changed my mind... a small impact on one person that is a huge change.'

'Some of the kids want to do a lot of different things... the thing that matters the most to me is to see them having a good time and enjoying their time with me.'

The role of a Full-Time Volunteer (FTV) can be very varied, and supporting full-time carers is just one of the ways that FTVs provide incredible support to those they volunteer with. Volunteering Matters has been working with Carers’ Support Bexley for over 20 years (back when we were known as Community Service Volunteers!) and we … Continued

Anna was an EVS Full-Time Volunteer with Volunteering Matters in South East Wales, where she befriended older people and people with disabilities.

Claudio is a Full-Time Volunteer who has supported young people with special educational needs and disabilities as part of the Futures Project in Norfolk.

Sophia is a Full-Time Volunteer who supports a young man with a disability who is studying at Sheffield Hallam University.

Lea volunteers in a school with children with disabilities, and she loves it. She feels she has grown in confidence and has developed her personality, getting to know her strengths and her flaws.

James (whose official name is Chih-Chien Chiang) is a full-time volunteer from Taiwan, who is based in London. He supports a BBC journalist with his everyday routine at work.

Sandy spent a year as a full-time volunteer on project Vocal, supporting people with learning disabilities to become actively involved in their community by volunteering.

Ever wondered what a full-time volunteer actually does? Each opportunity is different, and we heard from Larry who volunteers for the disability and well being service at the London School of Economics.

"I have never felt more commended for being the person that I am."

"I think volunteering can make a huge difference in people’s lives and really change the community that we get involved with."

"Nothing is more rewarding than seeing her enjoy trying new things that she wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to do."

"My current job is CEO of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. I’m sure I wouldn’t be here now if it weren’t for the experience I gained with CSV."

"Volunteers have enabled me to go to social activities, travel to different countries, to get a degree; to live my life."

"There is so much more to someone than their disability."

"You will learn so much from the people you are supporting, have many joyful moments and have a year incomparable to anyone else's."

" I started to feel as though I was just facilitating decisions for him, rather than making them for him."

"They are able to talk to somebody who will really listen to their problems."

This Volunteers’ Week we’re challenging young people across the UK to start their own revolution, and consider not just volunteering, but Full-Time Volunteering.

This month sees the launch of our brand new campaign to change young people’s perceptions of volunteering. Titled ' Revolution You ', our campaign aims to challenge preconceived notions of volunteering and encourage more young people to consider a gap year in the UK. 

Our Full-Time Volunteering programme won the Youth Volunteering and Social Action Award at the (CYPN) Children and Young People Now award ceremony in central London last night.

The UK’s national Volunteering Show has landed! Volunteering Matters is delighted to be involved in Volunteer Expo Live, a national event that seeks to connect volunteers, organisations and the charity sector together under one roof in order to help introduce more people to the world of volunteering. Volunteer Expo Live, which is being hosted by … Continued

RESPECT Project – sourcing & donating educational packs to support families’ home-learning. One of the many things we’re doing in response to COVID is RESPECT. Based in Suffolk, our volunteers are creating activity packs for children. These are helping families with home-schooling, especially those who may not have English as their first language. The packs, … Continued

Volunteering Matters' Chief Executive Oonagh on Volunteers' Week for Third Sector.

This month has been an exciting and nerve-wracking time for students across the UK; those in Scotland received results for their Highers, and UK A-level results were released last week. Whatever your next move, whether you’re happy with the results you received or whether you missed out on the opportunities you had planned, we think … Continued

Volunteers are invaluable. For older and isolated members of the community, young people leaving care, for disabled volunteers, for the NHS, and many more. Out Chief Executive Oonagh considers what a world without volunteers might look like.

Volunteering Matters is a proud supporter of the #IWill campaign.  Alongside over 700 organisations –  everyone from charities and businesses through to councils – we are committed to ensuring that as many 10 - 20 year olds as possible benefit from participating in meaningful youth social action, which includes volunteering. 

For seven days, imaginatively titled “Young People’s Focus Week”, we’re going to be shining the spotlight on just this area of our work.

This weekend Steve Holliday released his independent review of Full Time Social Action. Here our Chief Executive Oonagh Aitken responds on behalf of Volunteering Matters, the UK's leading provider of full time volunteering opportunities. 

Our Head of Communications Alison Harvie on how to get that New Year’s resolution off the page and into action.

In this blog post we’re looking at the creative marketing tips that we’ve been sharing - you might find something new or different you could consider applying to your volunteer recruitment and marketing!