Volunteers
Looking to Volunteer?
Search for volunteering opportunities in North Lanarkshire using the new ‘North Lanarkshire Volunteering’ search function below.
The friendly VANL volunteering team are happy to provide guidance and support to help you find the right volunteer role. If you have any queries about volunteering, please contact info@vanl.co.uk or give us a call on 01236 748011.
Our volunteering platform is completely free to use both for individuals searching for opportunities and for organisations advertising roles.
About Volunteering
Volunteering is a powerful way to connect with your local community, support causes you care about, and make a real difference. It’s also a great opportunity to gain valuable experience, develop new skills, and explore new interests. Whether you’re looking to enhance your CV, boost a college or university application, or simply give back, volunteering in North Lanarkshire offers something for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect from formal volunteering:
You should be welcomed and appreciated
Clear guidance on your role
Training to help you do your role to the best of your ability
Usually travel and any other out of pocket expenses would be covered
Regular support with a named person
Some organisation will sign up to the Volunteer Charter which sets out principles that set the foundations of a good volunteering experience. The first principle is: ‘Any volunteer activity is a freely made choice of the individual. If there is any compulsion, threat of sanctions or force, then any such activity is not volunteering’
You can read more about the charter here: Volunteer Charter – Volunteer Scotland
Most organisations will give any out-of-pocket expenses to volunteers. Some choose not to, and others would like to but cannot afford it. If this could be a barrier to you please double check if any opportunities you are applying for state that they can cover expenses. Look for the expenses paid badge on our search function.
Most organisation will give you induction training and any additional training required.
It depends on the role and responsibilities. Look out for the badges on the search function to let you know if the role is:
Suitable for people under 16
Suitable for age 16 +
Suitable for age 18 +
There are some volunteer roles that can be done from home. Look for the ‘Work from Home’ badge. If you don’t see anything suitable, please get in touch – we’re here to help.
Yes. In fact, volunteering often counts towards making yourself more employable. It is always worth checking for up-to-date information here: Volunteering and claiming benefits – GOV.UK
You need to tell the DWP about any out-of-pocket expenses claimed, however this should not affect your benefits.
Volunteering for Young People
Volunteering under the age of 26
For younger people volunteering can be a great way to try new things, meet new people and give back to a cause you feel passionate about.
Other benefits include:
Opportunities to build skills that can improve your CV.
Gaining experience in your chosen career path, in a fun flexible way.
Connecting with community and improvements to wellbeing.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Whoever you are, if your aged 14 – 24, this is you and your friends sharing amazing experiences, having fun and just maybe changing your futures along the way. The DofE helps to turn the things you love, and the things you’ve always wanted to try, into powerful lifelong skills that can help you get a job, change your community and take on anything life throws your way.
The sections you complete include ‘volunteering’ plus ‘physical’, ‘skills’ and ‘expedition’ find out more here: Do DofE – The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Saltire Awards
Aged 12-25 and volunteer?
The Saltire Awards are the Scottish Government’s way of celebrating, recognising and rewarding the commitment, contribution and achievements of young volunteers in Scotland.
If you are:
You are aged between 12 and 25 years
You are ready to begin or have already started volunteering
You’re now ready to sign up for your own My Saltire Account
Once you have a My Saltire Account it is really easy to keep track of all your volunteering activity by logging your hours. You’ll then be ready to apply for a Saltire Award certificate and start gaining recognition for the great things you are doing!
Did you know?
By registering with the Saltire Awards you also can also earn up to 3,000 Young Scot Reward Points with each Saltire Award you achieve
Click here to find out more: Saltire Awards – Celebrating youth volunteering in Scotland
VANL provides the following support to employers serving the people and communities of North Lanarkshire on employee volunteering matters, including:
Provision of a template employer-supported volunteering policy
Information about employee volunteering opportunities in North LanarkshireDevelopment of bespoke support to for employees’ group-volunteering activities
Types of Volunteering
More people are getting involved in green volunteering to protect the natural environment, support climate action, and help create a better world for future generations.
Green volunteering can also increase our connection to nature and the seasons, improve our mood, reduce stress, and help us feel more relaxed and grounded.
Examples of green volunteering opportunities include:
Conservation – such as tree planting and protecting native plants and animals.
Community gardening – including local food growing projects.
Supporting community learning about green and climate issues.
Guided walks in nature – helping others connect with local outdoor spaces.
Providing energy advice to help people reduce energy use and carbon emissions.
Refurbishing products for reuse – including furniture, tools, and more.
Interested in getting involved? Explore the Lanarkshire Climate Action map of activities or contact the volunteering team to find out more. Email us at info@VANL.co.uk – we’d love to help you find the right opportunity.
Many young people volunteer to contribute to their community and also to develop skills and confidence, which can support young people with their paid work prospects. Organisations recruiting and involving volunteers under the age of 18 need to:
- Offer age-appropriate roles and suitable times for children and young people to volunteer
- Consider if consent is required from the young person’s Parent/Guardian (under 16)
- Have appropriate Child Protection Policy and procedures in place to ensure safeguarding of volunteers
- Adequate supervision of volunteer activities
- Health and safety risk assessments and control measures to minimise risk
Inform your insurers that you are working with volunteers under 16.
Young people in North Lanarkshire who wish to volunteer can:
- Register with VANL to help them find their volunteering opportunity
- Contact their preferred volunteer-involving organisation directly
Participate in organised youth volunteering schemes such as:
VANL supports youth volunteering through its general volunteering support role and by assisting with allocation of Saltire Awards.
For more information contact info@vanl.co.uk or call us on 01236 748011
North Lanarkshire Volunteering Partnership and Strategy
The North Lanarkshire Volunteering Partnership brings together VANL, representatives of the community and voluntary sector and public sector organisations to support joint working to strengthen volunteering.
The Partnership developed a new North Lanarkshire Volunteering Strategy which was approved in spring 2023
VANL convenes, chairs and supports the Partnership and works with partners to support delivery of our Volunteering Strategy.
For more information contact info@vanl.co.uk
