Volunteering with children

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community, consider volunteering with children. By offering your time and support, you can make a significant difference in the lives of young people facing challenges

Why should I volunteer with children?

Volunteers play a crucial role in supporting children facing challenges. According to, Child poverty: Statistics, causes and the UK’s policy response, over four million children in the UK are living in relative poverty, while 30% of the nation's child population is experiencing the strain of the cost-of-living crisis.

Volunteers can provide much-needed assistance by offering support to help children cope with the stresses of their circumstances. By providing a caring and supportive presence, volunteers can make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of children in need.

What children's charities can I volunteer with?

Organisations like Teenage Cancer Trust, The Children's Society, and the NSPCC protect and support children in need. These charities often seek volunteers to assist with fundraising, mentoring, and providing companionship.

Smaller, more localised charities like Rainbow Trust or Cash for Kids focus on specific needs, such as supporting children with life-limiting illnesses or those living in poverty. Opportunities include transporting families to and from hospital appointments and taking part in the annual 'Mission Christmas' present pack for disadvantaged children.

Regional charities you could consider volunteering for include:

For more information, see our tips on volunteering.

What opportunities are there to volunteer with children?

Tutoring

With 87% of British parents worried for their children’s future according to UNICEF UK, voluntary tutoring offers children personalised attention, helping them grasp concepts more easily and gain confidence in their academic abilities.

Action Tutoring supports children from disadvantaged backgrounds in achieving meaningful academic success. As a volunteer, you can dedicate your time in person or online to assist pupils in enhancing their English and math skills. By committing just one hour per week, you can significantly impact the lives of disadvantaged children in your community.

Befriending

As a Barnardo's befriender, you'll dedicate three to five hours weekly or fortnightly to be a companion, offering a listening ear.

You can ensure your new friend enjoys much-needed leisure time by taking them to the park, cinema, bowling, or a museum. Alternatively, you could provide practical support by helping with homework or transporting them to group activities. Befriending services typically occur on evenings or weekends.

Support work

With over 100,000 more children living in poverty in 2024 compared to 2022, Action for Children’s mission is to provide children and young people with the essential practical and emotional support they need to thrive.

Volunteers can make a significant difference in various ways, such as assisting staff at one of the charity's children's centres across the UK. As a children's centre volunteer, you could participate in stay-and-play sessions, support child and family health services, contribute to speech and language support programs, or help enhance and maintain the centre’s social media presence.

Call centres

Childline has been a lifeline for vulnerable children and young people in the UK, offering round the clock support. However, due to high demand, they can only answer three out of every four calls.

By volunteering just four hours a week, as a volunteer counsellor, you'll be trained to provide comfort, support, and practical advice to young callers. You can also contribute by volunteering as an administrator, email counsellor, or switchboard operator.

Activities work

Whizz Kidz provides disabled children and young people with the mobility equipment they need and supports them in developing essential life skills.

Youth activities volunteer positions are available across the UK and typically require a commitment of one day per month. You'll support wheelchair users aged eight to 25 in a variety of activities, including wheelchair skills training, ambassador clubs, and Camp Whizz Kidz. Your role will involve ensuring all young people are engaged, safe, and having fun while participating in empowering activities.

Other volunteering options include assisting at events or becoming a wheelchair skills training volunteer.

What skills and qualifications do I need to volunteer with children?

Before you begin working with children, it is important to complete a background check through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Contact the organisation you are volunteering with to understand whether you are responsible for the cost of the background check or if the organisation will cover the fee on your behalf.

The specific qualifications needed can vary depending on the organisation and the role. However, most organisations prioritise the following qualities:

Passion and enthusiasm - a genuine interest in working with children is essential.
Reliability and commitment - volunteers are expected to be consistent and dependable.
Patience and understanding - the ability to work with children of different ages and backgrounds.
Good communication skills - clear and effective communication is crucial for interacting with children and their families.
Positive attitude - a positive and supportive demeanour can create a welcoming environment for children.

In addition to these general qualities, some organisations may require specific qualifications, such as:

first aid certification
training in child protection or safeguarding.

It's always best to check directly with the organisation you're interested in volunteering with to find out their specific requirements. They may also offer training or support to help you prepare for the role.

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.