If you're looking for a way to give back, volunteering with children is a great way to make a difference. By offering your time and support, you can have a real impact on the lives of young people who may be facing challenges at home, at school, or in their community
Who can volunteer with children?
This type of voluntary work is open to people from all walks of life. There are roles to suit your interests, experience and availability, whether you're:
- exploring new career options
- recently graduated
- simply looking to contribute to your community
- still studying.
You don't usually need professional experience to get involved. Many charities provide training and ongoing support, so what matters most is your enthusiasm, reliability and willingness to learn.
You'll also find plenty of flexible roles that can fit around your commitments.
Why should I volunteer with children?
Children's charities play a vital role in supporting young people who are dealing with difficult circumstances. Whatever skills you bring, your time has the potential to create lasting change.
Around 4.5 million children in the UK - nearly one in three - are living in poverty, the highest level on record. Many of these children are growing up in working families and are experiencing the effects of rising living costs on housing, food and education.
By volunteering, you're not only making a difference to individual children - you're also contributing to stronger families and communities.
What children's charities can I volunteer with?
Many organisations across the UK offer roles supporting children and young people.
These include well known national charities looking for volunteers to help with mentoring, fundraising or providing companionship. For example:
You'll also find opportunities with smaller or local charities, such as:
- Birmingham Children's Hospital
- Children's Hospice South West
- Children North East
- The Childhood Trust (London)
- Greater Manchester Youth Network
- The Hamlet Centre Trust (Norwich)
- PEEK (Glasgow)
- Positive Futures Youth (Liverpool)
You can search for charities to volunteer by cause, location, and time commitment through national platforms like:
Local community centres, schools, libraries, hospitals, and youth clubs often need volunteers, and universities or student unions may also list short term placements on their websites.
What volunteer roles are available with children?
National charities like The Children's Society supported 57,652 children and young people during 2025 - from early years to young adults, and from educational support to disability services.
Understanding what each role involves can help you find something that matches your skills and interests.
Tutoring
In 2025, literacy initiatives such as Chapter One contributed more than 21,000 hours to help children develop crucial reading skills - strengthening both academic skills and confidence.
Action Tutoring also supports disadvantaged pupils through in person and online sessions. By volunteering just one hour a week, you can help young people strengthen their English and maths skills and improve their academic outcomes.
Befriending
As a befriender with Barnardo's, you'll spend time with a child or young person who needs extra support. Typically, this involves a commitment of three to five hours weekly or fortnightly.
You might take them to the park, cinema or a local museum, help with homework or accompany them to group activities. Befriending usually takes place during evenings or weekends and offers young people valuable one‑to‑one attention.
Support work
With child poverty continuing to rise year on year, charities such as Action for Children provide essential practical and emotional support to families facing financial pressure, housing insecurity and health challenges.
As a volunteer in one of their children's centres, you could help run 'stay and play' sessions, support health and wellbeing programmes, assist with speech and language groups or help manage the centre's social media.
Call centres
Childline offers round the clock support to children and young people. Demand for its services remains extremely high, meaning volunteers play a vital role in ensuring more young people can access help, guidance and reassurance when they need it most.
By volunteering for just four hours a week, you'll receive training to provide comfort, guidance and practical advice. If counselling isn't for you, you can also volunteer as an administrator, switchboard operator or email counsellor.
Activities work
Whizz Kidz supports disabled children and young people by providing mobility equipment and life skills training.
As a youth activities volunteer - usually one day per month - you'll help wheelchair users aged eight to 25 participate in skills sessions, ambassador clubs and Camp Whizz Kidz. Your role is to support young people to take part, feel included and have fun.
Other opportunities include helping at events or delivering wheelchair skills training.
What skills and qualifications do I need?
Before volunteering with children, you'll need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The charity will tell you whether they cover the cost or if you need to pay.
Working with children - especially those facing difficult circumstances - can be rewarding but emotionally challenging. You may encounter situations involving poverty, illness, family breakdown or mental health concerns.
Charities also take safeguarding seriously and provide training, guidance and supervision to make sure you feel confident and supported.
Most organisations look for qualities such as:
- a positive and welcoming attitude
- passion or supporting children
- patience and understanding
- reliability and commitment
- strong communication skills.
Some roles may also require:
- first aid training
- safeguarding or child protection training.
Always check the requirements for the specific role you're applying for - many charities offer training to help you prepare.
How do I start volunteering with children?
Starting to volunteer with children is often a straightforward process, and most organisations offer clear guidance and support at every stage. Here's how to begin:
- decide which type of role or age group interests you
- research local or national charities that match your interests
- apply and attend any interviews or informal chats
- complete your DBS check and provide references if needed
- take part in induction training before starting your role.
Most organisations will support you throughout the process and provide supervision, training, and guidance once you begin volunteering, ensuring you feel supported and valued in your role.
Explore our guidance on applying for a volunteer role.
How much time do I need to commit?
Time commitments vary, but many charities welcome volunteers who can offer:
- evening or weekend availability
- monthly commitments for activities or events
- one to two hours per week
- remote support, such as email or phone based roles.
Be open about your availability so the organisation can help you find a role that suits your schedule.
What could my career look like after volunteering with children?
Volunteering with children helps you develop skills that are valued across many sectors. Discover what skills employers want.
These skills can enhance your employability, support further study, and build confidence in both professional and personal settings. In fact, about 92% of formal volunteers report being satisfied with their experience.
Many volunteers who work with children progress into careers in:
Voluntary work also demonstrates initiative and commitment on your CV and in cover letters, showing potential employers that you have:
- a genuine commitment to supporting others
- experience working with diverse groups
- strong interpersonal skills.
Find out more
- Explore what it takes to get a graduate charity job.
- Read our guide to working with children.
- Discover more about the charity and voluntary sector.