What volunteering can teenagers do?

From 14 you can volunteer at charity shops, animal shelters, food banks, community gardens, sports clubs, libraries, youth groups, environmental projects, and as a peer mentor. Some hospitals and care homes take 16+. Online options include tutoring younger pupils, translation, and helpline support.

Does volunteering count for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award?

Yes. The volunteering section of DofE (Bronze, Silver, Gold) asks for 3, 6 or 12 months of regular voluntary activity, usually 1 hour per week. Most charity shops, sports clubs, youth groups and community projects on Shine are DofE-friendly. Confirm with your DofE leader before you start.

How does volunteering help with university or job applications?

Strongly. UCAS personal statements and job applications both reward sustained voluntary work because it shows commitment, real-world skills (teamwork, customer service, problem-solving) and personal values. A year of weekly volunteering often beats a one-off intensive experience.

How do I find volunteering near me?

Start local: charity shops on your high street, your council's volunteer centre, your school's community partner list, and platforms like Do-IT, NCVO, vInspired. Sports clubs and youth groups almost always need help. Shine highlights DofE-friendly opportunities matched to your interests.

Can I get paid expenses while volunteering?

Yes, most charities will cover travel and lunch expenses (within reason), but you won't be paid wages. If you're regularly out of pocket, ask the organiser early on; reputable charities have a budget for this.

What's the difference between volunteering and an internship?

Volunteering is unpaid work for a charity or community cause. An internship is short-term work experience at a company, sometimes paid. Both build skills, but internships at private companies should usually be paid at least the minimum wage if you're doing real work.

Volunteering, DofE-friendly

Volunteering for teenagers

Real causes, real skills, and something that genuinely strengthens your CV and uni application. From 1 hour a week, DofE counts.

Find a cause near you

Causes to volunteer with

Health & wellbeing

Hospices, hospitals (16+), mental-health helplines, Red Cross. Builds empathy and care skills.

Environment & nature

Wildlife trusts, community gardens, beach cleans, conservation. Great for outdoor people.

Community & youth

Scouts, youth clubs, food banks, refugee support. Strong teamwork and people skills.

Education & tutoring

Read with primary kids, tutor maths/English, library support. Top-tier for uni applications.

Animals

RSPCA shops, dog walking, animal rescue centres. Reliable shift work, ideal for DofE.

Charity retail

Oxfam, BHF, Cancer Research, Sue Ryder. Retail skills + good first reference.

Why it boosts your CV

• Proof of commitment — sustained weekly volunteering beats one-off events.
• Real references — your supervisor can vouch for reliability and teamwork.
• Concrete skills — customer service, working in a team, taking initiative.
• Stories for interviews — "tell me about a time…" answers, sorted.
• UCAS edge — admissions officers actively look for sustained service.

FAQs

What volunteering can teenagers do?: From 14 you can volunteer at charity shops, animal shelters, food banks, community gardens, sports clubs, libraries, youth groups, environmental projects, and as a peer mentor. Some hospitals and care homes take 16+. Online options include tutoring younger pupils, translation, and helpline support.
Does volunteering count for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award?: Yes. The volunteering section of DofE (Bronze, Silver, Gold) asks for 3, 6 or 12 months of regular voluntary activity, usually 1 hour per week. Most charity shops, sports clubs, youth groups and community projects on Shine are DofE-friendly. Confirm with your DofE leader before you start.
How does volunteering help with university or job applications?: Strongly. UCAS personal statements and job applications both reward sustained voluntary work because it shows commitment, real-world skills (teamwork, customer service, problem-solving) and personal values. A year of weekly volunteering often beats a one-off intensive experience.
How do I find volunteering near me?: Start local: charity shops on your high street, your council's volunteer centre, your school's community partner list, and platforms like Do-IT, NCVO, vInspired. Sports clubs and youth groups almost always need help. Shine highlights DofE-friendly opportunities matched to your interests.
Can I get paid expenses while volunteering?: Yes, most charities will cover travel and lunch expenses (within reason), but you won't be paid wages. If you're regularly out of pocket, ask the organiser early on; reputable charities have a budget for this.
What's the difference between volunteering and an internship?: Volunteering is unpaid work for a charity or community cause. An internship is short-term work experience at a company, sometimes paid. Both build skills, but internships at private companies should usually be paid at least the minimum wage if you're doing real work.

Match volunteering to your interests

The free Shine quiz suggests causes that fit who you are, and the careers they could lead to.

How do you find volunteering as a teenager in the UK?

UK teenagers can volunteer from around 14 with charity shops, food banks, animal shelters, sports clubs, youth groups, conservation projects and hospitals, and through DofE, NCS and local volunteer centres. Volunteering builds evidence for a first CV, counts towards DofE sections, and often needs no experience or interview.

Last reviewed 9 September 2026 by the Shine careers team.

Part of Shine's apprenticeship guide series, plain-English answers, updated regularly.