What is volunteering?

We define volunteering as any activity that involves spending time, unpaid, doing something that aims to benefit the environment or someone (individuals or groups) other than, or in addition to, close relatives. Central to this definition is the fact that volunteering must be a choice freely made by each individual. This can include formal activity undertaken through public, private and voluntary organisations as well as informal community participation.

Becoming a volunteer can be personally rewarding and help you to give something back to your community. Volunteers can choose from thousands of different opportunities; from helping out at your local city farm to becoming a seminar leader at a business education charity.

If you would like your volunteering opportunities listed please call 0151 707 6688 or email volunteering@pearsonpresslimited.co.uk

Select your location from a map to the right to find volunteering opportunities and organisations from Equality Britain supporters in your area.

Volunteering England (VE) is the national volunteering development agency for England, committed to supporting, enabling and celebrating volunteering in all its diversity.

As Scotland's Centre for Excellence in volunteering, Volunteer Development Scotland leads the way in informing and modernising approaches to volunteering policy, enhancing practice and improving the quality of the volunteering experience for the people of Scotland.

WCVA is the voice of the voluntary sector in Wales. We represent and campaign for voluntary organisations, volunteers and communities.

Further help and advice about Volunteering can be found here.