You do not have a contract of employment as a volunteer, so you do not have the same rights as an employee or worker. You will usually be given a volunteer agreement that explains: the level of supervision and support you’ll get what training you’ll get whether you’re covered under the organisation’s employer or public liability insurance health and safety issues any expenses the organisation will cover The volunteer agreement is not compulsory, but sets out what you can expect from the organisation you’re volunteering for. It does not form a contract between you and the organisation. The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) has information on volunteers’ legal status .

When you can volunteer

Age limits There’s no upper age limit on volunteering but anyone over 70 will need to follow relevant public health advice on coronavirus (COVID-19) . Some organisations’ insurance policies do not cover you if you’re under 16 or over a certain age. You cannot work for a profit-making organisation if you’re under 14, even if you’re not paid. Your local council might have extra rules about the work you can do as a young person. Volunteering and benefits You can volunteer and claim benefits if: the only money you get from volunteering is to cover expenses, like travel costs you continue to meet the conditions of the benefit you get Criminal records If you have a criminal record you can still volunteer in most roles, depending on your offences. You might need a Disclosure and Barring Service check if you want to volunteer with children or vulnerable adults.

You are not paid for your time as a volunteer, but you may get money to cover expenses. This is usually limited to food, drink, travel or any equipment you need to buy. You may need to pay tax on your driving expenses if you get back more than you spent. You might be classed as an employee or worker rather than a volunteer if you get any other payment, reward or benefit in kind. This includes any promise of a contract or paid work in the future. You get certain employment rights if you’re classed as an employee or worker, like getting the minimum wage .

Coronavirus (COVID-19) volunteering

If you want to volunteer during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you can do this: outside your home, for example by delivering food and medicine from home, for example by working on a telephone support helpline in a workplace, for example an office If you are volunteering in a workplace, it should meet coronavirus safety standards . There is different guidance on volunteering in Wales , Scotland and Northern Ireland . While this guidance applies to England, you should always consider whether there are local restrictions in place in your area. If you live, work or volunteer in an area that is experiencing a local COVID-19 outbreak and where local restrictions have been imposed, different guidance and legislation will apply. Check the local restrictions pages to see if any restrictions are in place in your area. Who can volunteer Anyone can volunteer from home. You can also volunteer outside your home if: you follow the social distancing guidance no one in your household has symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) no one in your household has tested positive for coronavirus If you’re clinically extremely vulnerable If you are clinically extremely vulnerable , you should volunteer from home wherever possible. If you do decide to volunteer outside your home, make sure that: the volunteering organisation does a risk assessment you can work in a separate area away from other people If you have coronavirus symptoms Do not volunteer outside your home if you have coronavirus symptoms or if you have tested positive for coronavirus. You must self-isolate for at least 10 days from the date you started having symptoms or from the day you tested positive - whichever is the latest. Ways to volunteer You can: shop for food and medicine (online, or in person) deliver food and medicine help with food banks and homeless services work on a telephone support helpline To apply, volunteer through your local council. Find your council’s website and search for information about volunteering during coronavirus. You can also apply to volunteer through a charity or organisation . Volunteer to help the NHS To volunteer if you’re a doctor or nurse, visit NHS England or contact your local hospital trust . If you want to give blood, read the guidance about donating blood during the coronavirus pandemic . If you want to take part in a research study for a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, sign up for the NHS COVID-19 vaccine research registry . An NHS-approved researcher will contact you once you have signed up. They will tell you about studies you can volunteer for, and you can decide if you want to take part. If you want to help the NHS as a general volunteer, apply for the NHS volunteer responder scheme . You’ll need to check the scheme is recruiting in your area. Other ways anyone can help You can donate to the National Emergency Trust whether or not you’re at high risk. Volunteer the help of your business You can offer support from your business to help with the response to coronavirus. Wearing face coverings while volunteering Before you start, check the guidance on when to wear a face covering . You must wear a face covering indoors where they are legally required , unless your volunteering organisation has said you do not need to wear one on their premises. You should also wear a face covering if you volunteer in an enclosed public space (where you will be within 2 metres of people you do not live with or see regularly). Some people cannot wear a face covering because they have a medical condition , for example asthma. If you cannot wear a face covering, ask your volunteering organisation what they can do to protect you. For example, they may be able to give you: a protective screen a role where you can work 2 metres away from other people

Volunteer placements, rights and expenses

Find volunteer placements

Find out about volunteering to help with coronavirus (COVID-19).

Find volunteering opportunities on the:

Do-it website
Volunteering Matters website for young, older and disabled volunteers
National Association for Voluntary and Community Action website
local Volunteer Centre website
Reach Volunteering website for volunteers with specific skills - like accountancy, marketing, law, management, mentoring or IT
Volunteering Wales website
Volunteer Scotland website

Print entire guide

Volunteer placements, rights and expenses

Find volunteer placements

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK

Tell us whether you accept cookies

Volunteer placements, rights and expenses

Find volunteer placements

Related content

Is this page useful?

Help us improve GOV.UK

Help us improve GOV.UK