Full-Time Volunteering

Key Facts

  • Opportunities across the UK
  • For 18 – 35 year olds
  • Full time for 6 – 12 months

WHAT IS FULL-TIME VOLUNTEERING?

There’s volunteering, and then there’s Full-Time Volunteering (FTV). It’s an incredible opportunity for people aged between 18 and 35 to undertake a life-changing challenge, living away from home for up to 12 months while supporting some of the most vulnerable or marginalised people and communities across the UK. It’s your chance to unearth hidden talents, boost self-confidence, meet new people and change lives. So whether you’re looking to leave your mark on the world, develop your skills base or devote a gap year to a cause you really care about, FTV is for you.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?

No one volunteering placement is the same. You could be supporting older people, homeless people, families, children or young people. You might be volunteering within an environmental setting, or a residential one, or you could be undertaking sporting activities – we take care to match you to the opportunity that’s right for you.

This could mean:

  • Befriending and supporting someone in their home, or groups of beneficiaries in a single project (like a homeless shelter), making a real difference to their wellbeing
  • Acting as a mentor or role model to young people or people with disabilities, perhaps helping them to plan for their futures at key transition points in their lives
  • Enabling access to social and leisure activities, at home, locally or at University, giving people connections to their communities they couldn’t otherwise enjoy.

Full-time volunteering is also an excellent route to recognised work experience in a variety of sectors, including social work, social care, nursing, medicine, teaching, youth work and psychology. Read more from those who have had these life-changing volunteering experiences here.

WHO CAN BE AN FTV?

No previous experience or specific qualifications are required.

All you will need to be is :

  • Able to commit for 6-12 months for up to 35 hours a week
  • Aged between 18 – 35
  • Able to move away from home and be placed anywhere in the UK (accommodation is provided, and a living allowance of up to £75 a week)
  • Able to provide two suitable references
  • A UK, EU or EEA national and resident in the UK (If you are not a UK or EU/EEA national living in the UK, please contact us at volunteer@volunteeringmatters.org.uk for more information)

SO WHAT NEXT?

If this sounds like something you want to do or simply learn more about, click on the link below and a member of staff will give you a call in the next three working days to discuss next steps.

Apply Now!

If you are from outside the UK, please check the list of International partners for more information of who we work with and how you can volunteer full time.

FIND OUT MORE

Want to set up a volunteering programme?

We provide advice and support for organisations who may want to set up their own volunteering programme. We can provide you with highly motivated volunteers through our renowned Full-Time Volunteering programme. Our expertise takes the time and risk out of volunteer recruitment, providing an effective way to increase the quality, diversity and capacity of your services.

CONTACT US VIA EMAIL:
VOLUNTEER@VOLUNTEERINGMATTERS.ORG.UK

COVID-19 Response Programme

Our COVID-19 Response programme includes projects operating on a local and national level, with new roles to support the community during the pandemic.

Full-Time Volunteering: Carers’ Support Bexley

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

Full-Time Volunteering: Lea’s Story

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.

Full-time Volunteering: James’ Story

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.

Full-time Volunteering: Larry’s Story

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.

We’re challenging young people to start their revolution!

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. 

Volunteer Expo Live 2022

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

A day in the life of a Volunteer Manager- Jenny Szewiel

International Volunteer Managers Day is a great opportunity to reflect on the work that I do as a Regional Volunteer Manager at Volunteering Matters. I have been a Volunteer Manager for the last 5 years and in that time have worked with and supported many fantastic volunteers, who make such a difference in their local … Continued

“I’ve got the confidence to do bigger and better things”

Sam Cooke tells us about his full time volunteering experience In January 2013, aged 19, I moved from just outside Bristol 400 miles north to North Lanarkshire to do full time volunteering for a year. I had recently finished my A-Levels, and I was interested in volunteering as I felt I needed to give something back … Continued