Icon: the definitive volunteering list from Intelligent Giving
     Sarah, the sleuthing hound

Give your time: the list

DON'T THINK 'VOLUNTEERING'. The activity is more usefully described as 'different work' or at least, 'work experience'.

We've pulled together all the best websites which list these opportunities. There are thousands of new options every week, so at least one is bound to suit you.

> Be a charity bigwig
Becoming a trustee

Trustees are the volunteers who take ultimate responsibility for running a charity. They usually meet a few times a year to oversee strategy, and no charity can (legally) run without them. Unfortunately, though, trustees are in seriously short supply - which is why the Charity Commission wants you to consider becoming one.

We think you should think about it. Trustees can exert enormous power over how a charity works, and this means that becoming one is the best way of volunteering if you want to make a big difference. For more, look at the Get on Board website.

NB: "Who it's for" picks organisations that only have opportunities for these kinds of people. So if you select 'Professionals' the results will apply to professionals and no-one else.

LocationCauseWho it's for
Organisationsort iconCauseLocationWho it's forNotes
Africa and Asia VentureEducation, environment, internationalOverseasChildren & young peopleExpensive gap year projects in Africa and Asia.
African Conservation ExperienceEnvironmentOverseasAnyProjects on game reserves in Africa.
African ImpactInternationalAfricaAnyExperienced company with wide range of opportunities throughout Africa.
Aid Camps InternationalInternationalOverseasAnySmall range of affordable opportunities working with children.
Association of Charity ShopsAnyNationalAnyOver 6,800 charity shops to choose from.
Assumption Lay Volunteer ProgrammeReligious, internationalNational, OverseasAnySmall but varied range of projects worldwide.
Biosphere ExpeditionsEnvironmentOverseasAnySmall organisation with interesting opportunities.
Blue Ventures ExpeditionsEnvironmentOverseasAnySmall and dedicated with marine projects in Madagascar.
British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV)EnvironmentNationalAnyHigh-profile with loads of opportunities.
BUNACInternational, educationOverseasChildren & young peopleWork/travel combinations worldwide.
Cactus Volunteers AbroadInternational, environment, educationOverseasAnyProvides unique travel and work experiences to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Capital VolunteeringMental health, society & workLondonAny (Disabled)Getting disabled people involved.
Challenges WorldwideInternationalOverseasProfessionalsShort-term placements for employers and individuals.
Changing WorldsInternationalOverseasChildren & young peopleA range of gap-year projects in exotic destinations.
Citizens Advice BureauSociety & workNationalAnyHelp run the world's largest free advice network.
Community Service VolunteersAnyNationalAnyInnovative, highly experienced and comprehensive.
ConcordiaAnyNational, overseasChildren & young peopleWide variety of short-term projects.
Coral Cay ConservationEnvironmentOverseasAnyWell thought of organisation for rainforests and coral reefs.
Cranfield Trust, TheDisability, society & workNationalProfessionalsManagement consultancy work only.
Cross-Cultural SolutionsInternationalOverseasAnyHigh-profile and wide-ranging.
CSV - Retired and Senior Volunteer ProgrammeAnyNationalElderlyInnovative, highly experienced and comprehensive.
Discovery SVSDisadvantaged peopleSwanseaAnyOpportunities for students to get involved in Swansea.
Do-itAnyNationalAnyImpressive listing of opportunities.
e VolunteerAnyNational, overseasAnyFree information service for volunteers and those seeking them.
Employee VolunteeringAnyNationalProfessionalsInformation for businesses about getting workers involved.
English NatureEnvironmentNationalAnyWell organised with many and varied opportunities.
Experience Corps, TheAnyNationalElderlyInformation database for the older volunteer.
Forestry CommissionEnvironmentNationalAnyMany opportunities to protect local woodland.
Frontier ConsevationEnvironmentOverseasAnyWide-ranging projects conserving biodiversity and also exploring.
G NationAnyNationalChildren & young peopleEncouraging kids and schools to get involved.
GAP Activity ProjectsInternationalOverseasYoung people aged 17 to 25Wide-ranging and exciting opportunities.
Global Vision InternationalEnvironment, educationOverseasAnyHighly professional with a wide-range of projects.
GreenforceEnvironmentOverseasAnyInteresting but expensive adventures.
I to IAnyNational, overseas AnyAward winning travel, volunteering and training organisation.
Jesuit Volunteer CommunityReligious, society & workNationalChildren & young peopleSmall and specialist.
London 2012SportLondonAnyRegister now to volunteer at London Olympics.
London FriendSociety & work - LGBTLondonAnySeveral administration opportunities.
Madventurer & SportventurerInternationalOverseasAnyShort-term projects in rural villages in Africa and Asia.
Marine Volunteer ServiceSociety & work - rescueNationalAnyGet trained and provide support in maritime events/emergencies.
Millennium VolunteersAnyNationalChildren & young peopleGovernment initiative to get young people involved.
National Maritime MuseumArts, culture & heritageLondonAnyLimited opportunities to work at the museum.
Outreach InternationalEnvironment, education, internationalOverseasAnyFlexible, grass roots approach in a limited number of countries.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)AnimalsLondonAnyAdministrative opportunities at head office.
PilotlightAnyLondonProfessionalsMatches and manages senior business leaders' skills into small ambitious charities.
Project TrustInternationalOverseasChildren & young peopleSmall organisation for 17 to 19.5 year olds. Expensive.
Quest OverseasEnvironment, education, internationalOverseasAnyWell-structured and organised opportunities in Africa and South America.
REACHAnyNationalProfessionals & voluntary organisationsMatching skills of volunteers to needs of organisatioons.
Real Gap ExperienceInternationalOverseasAnyTailor-made travel and volunteering worldwide.
Responsible TravelInternational, environmentOverseasAnyLarge range of opportunities worldwide.
SamaritansSociety & workUKAnyBe a good listener, either over the phone or at festivals throughout the UK.
Shumba ExperienceEnvironment, internationalOverseasAnyCostly but exciting opportunities in Africa.
St John AmbulanceHealthNationalAnyFirst aid, care and support in the community.
Starfish VenturesInternationalOverseasAnyTeach and travel in Thailand.
Student Volunteering EnglandAnyNationalChildren & young peopleLarge information service for student volunteers.
Students Partnership WorldwideHealth, educationOverseasChildren & young peopleTeaching opportunities in health and environmental issues in Africa and Asia.
Sutton Ecology Centre/Sutton Nature Conservation VounteersEnvironmentSurreyAnyGet involved in the local community.
TimebankAnyNational, OverseasAnyMaking the most of media and technology - huge.
Travel TreeAnyNational, overseasAnyComprehensive travel and volunteering database.
Travellers WorldwideInternationalOverseasAnyWide range of affordable projects.
UN VolunteersInternationalOverseasProfessionalsUnique online volunteering working from home.
V WordAnyNationalElderlyRegister to volunteer.
VolunQueerSociety & work - LGBTLondonAnyWide variety of opportunites at LGBT organisations.
Voluntary Service OverseasInternationalOverseasProfessionalsLargest independent volunteer-sending agency in the world.
Volunteer AfricaInternationalOverseasAnySmall organisation with short-term opportunities.
Volunteer Development ScotlandAnyScotlandAnyInformation service working to promote volunteering in Scotland.
Volunteer Latin AmericaEnvironment & humanitarianOverseasAnyInteresting and affordable projects in Latin America.
Volunteer Reading HelpChildren, educationNationalAnyHelp children learn to read and write.
Volunteer ScotlandAnyScotlandAnyNetwork of 42 volunteer organisations in Scotland.
Volunteering BristolAnyBristolAnyComprehensive database for the locality.
Volunteering EnglandAnyNationalAnyInformation service working to promote volunteering.
Volunteering in the Third Age (VITA)AnyN/AElderlyInformation database for the older volunteer.
Wales Council for Voluntary ActionVariousWalesAnyInformation database with volunteer opportunities.
Watamu Turtle WatchAnimals, environmentOverseasAnyLimited projects working with turtles in Kenya.
Working AbroadInternationalOverseasAnyUmbrella organisation linked to a variety of opportunities.
WorldWide VolunteeringAnyNational, overseasAnyCreate a profile and match it to over 350,000 opportunities worldwide.
Year Out GroupAnyNational, overseasChildren & young peopleFor a gap year or career break.