Volunteering FAQs

We’ve got lots of volunteering opportunities for you to choose from. You can start searching online right now.

Once you’ve found an opportunity you like, you can apply quickly and easily online by completing the application form linked to the opportunity you’re interested in

Once you’ve applied we’ll contact you with the next steps as quickly as we can and keep you updated throughout the application and selection process.   

If you’re selected, we'll want to get you started as quickly as possible but this will depend entirely on the role and what checks we need to do beforehand. If the role requires a criminal records check (we’ll highlight this in details about the opportunity) the process can take significantly longer. 

No. Like a lot of other major international charities, we don’t send volunteers from the UK to any of our programmes in other countries. We work with local partners and staff, who have the relevant skills, knowledge, and experience. 

If you are interested in volunteering overseas, try to find out about how you can support community initiatives that strengthen families. Have a look at the ReThinkOrphanges checklist which talks through how you can make sure your time abroad is spent making the most positive difference..

No, unfortunately we’re not able to support individuals with visa applications as we do not have the relevant licenses

It depends. It’s your responsibility to make sure that the terms of your visa allow you to volunteer in the UK. In general, if you are an Irish citizen or an EU / EEA citizen with settled status, you can volunteer. In all cases though you should always check the conditions of your visa.  

For full guidance, visit the UK Visa and Immigration website.  

Yes, you are very welcome to volunteer with us. However, if your final appeal is refused and you are denied leave to remain then you will have to stop. 

Yes, you are very welcome to volunteer with us.

Yes, you are very welcome to volunteer with us and it won’t affect your benefits. We reimburse volunteers for out-of-pocket expenses, but this doesn’t count as payment. Depending on the type of benefits you receive, you might need to let your work coach, Jobcentre Plus or local council know about your volunteering. The Citizens Advice Bureau provides helpful guidance on making sure volunteering doesn’t affect your benefits. 

We don’t offer unpaid internships at Save the Children. But if you’re interested in volunteering, you can search our current opportunities. 

We advertise paid opportunities on our jobs website. We recommend signing up for job alerts so that you are amongst the first to know when new jobs are advertised. 

We’ve got lots of flexible volunteering opportunities to fit around people’s different situations, so the suggested time commitment depends on the role. When you apply, let us know how much time you have available, so we can discuss what might be the best option with you.  

Currently, all our volunteering roles – apart from for our Youth Advisory Board – are for over-18s only. We’re working on reintroducing other volunteering opportunities for those aged under 18. 

We believe you should never be out of pocket if you volunteer with us, so we cover reasonable out-of-pocket expenses when you’re volunteering.

We reimburse travel expenses, although we ask you to always try to use the most cost-effective form of travel (usually public transport). Always check with your volunteer manager in advance so that you and they are clear on what expenses we can reimburse.