Volunteering
How volunteering can build experience and confidence, and how it interacts with benefits.
Guidance, not legal advice. This page summarises official UK sources listed below. What applies to you depends on your circumstances and nation.
- Last reviewed
- 1 August 2026
- Next review due
- 1 February 2027
Why people volunteer
Volunteering can build skills, confidence and references, without the same commitments as paid work. Many disabled people use it as a step towards paid employment, or as a valued activity in its own right.
Volunteering and benefits
You can usually volunteer while receiving most benefits, including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance, as long as it is genuinely unpaid and you tell your work coach if required. Rules and reporting requirements vary, so check before you start.
Finding opportunities
- Ask local charities or volunteer centres about accessible roles
- Some organisations offer volunteering with built-in reasonable adjustments
Checklist
- Tell your work coach or the relevant benefit office about regular volunteering if asked to
- Ask the organisation what adjustments they can offer before you start
- Keep a record of your volunteering for future job applications
Where to get help
NCVO
Guidance and opportunities for volunteers and organisations
GOV.UK
Volunteering and benefits guidance