Volunteering behind the scenes - admin, office and research work

Why volunteer behind the scenes?
This can be a good way, particularly for young people, to get office experience and skills. Sometimes training is provided.

And for people already with skills (such as IT, finance, marketing, typing, HR…) it can be a rewarding way to share them.

Who’s it good for?
Anyone who either wants to improve their offices skills, or use them.

If you are a bit shy, or not so much of a people person, then some of these volunteering roles might suit you.

Where you can do it?
In organisations’ offices. Sometimes the work can be done online or remotely too.

What does it involve?
There’s a wide variety of roles, from basic tasks like envelope stuffing and manning phones to data entry, producing documents and more involved research projects.

Who does it help?
The causes you can support are wide ranging – the environment, health, communities, children, fighting poverty… most charities have admin tasks that need doing!

Commitment Level?
It varies with the placement, but many organisations want a degree of commitment over at least several months, especially if you are given training for the role.

If there is a charity you know you want to support take a look at their website – many offer specific admin volunteering opportunities.

You can also search for office based volunteering on aggregators like Do-It, Volunteer Scotland, Volunteering Wales and Volunteer Now (Northern Ireland).

If you have specific professional skills Reach Skills can help match you with a charity that needs them.