Think you don’t have enough time to volunteer? You might just not have found the right opportunity yet.
Volunteering has changed. While there are still plenty of traditional volunteering roles that ask for a regular weekly commitment, there are now opportunities to suit all sorts of lifestyles, interests and availability.
And that matters, because according to the latest Government volunteering figures, 18% of adults in England took part in formal volunteering at least once a month in 2025/26, an increase from 17% the previous year.
But there is still one big barrier standing in the way for many people: time.
More than half of people who weren’t volunteering regularly said that work commitments were a barrier, while caring responsibilities and other things taking up their spare time were also common reasons.
So, perhaps the question isn’t “Do I have time to volunteer?”
Perhaps it’s “What type of volunteering would work for me?”
Volunteering doesn’t have to mean every Tuesday at 10am
One of the great things about volunteering is the variety of opportunities available.
You might have:
- A couple of hours a week to spare
- One morning or afternoon a month
- A full day occasionally
- School holidays when your children are off
- Evenings or weekends available
- A particular skill you’d love to share
- An interest you’d like to turn into something meaningful
There are opportunities that can fit around all of these.
You could help at a community group, support someone through befriending, get involved with animals or the environment, use your professional skills to support a charity, help at events, or simply lend a hand behind the scenes.
Start with what you enjoy
Finding the right volunteering opportunity doesn’t have to start with “What should I volunteer for?”
Instead, think about what you already enjoy.
Love chatting to people? You might enjoy befriending or supporting visitors at a community organisation.
Good with practical jobs? There are organisations that need help with gardening, maintenance, DIY and events.
Enjoy being outdoors? Look for environmental or conservation opportunities.
Have office, IT, social media or finance skills? Your experience could make a real difference to a small charity or community organisation.
Or perhaps you simply want to meet new people and do something positive in your local area.
There isn’t one right way to volunteer.
And you don’t need to commit forever
Another common misconception is that volunteering means making a huge long-term commitment.
Of course, some organisations need volunteers who can commit regularly, but there are also one-off, short-term and flexible opportunities available.
Trying something out can be a great way to discover whether a particular type of volunteering is right for you.
You might start by helping at an event and discover a new interest. Or volunteer for a couple of hours a week and gradually become more involved.
The important thing is to find something that works for you and the organisation you’re supporting.
Ready to give it a go?
If you’ve been thinking about volunteering but haven’t found the right opportunity, now could be the perfect time to take another look.
At Volunteer First, we connect people with volunteering opportunities across Hampshire, helping you find ways to use your time, skills and interests to support local organisations and communities.
Whether you have a few hours to spare or are looking for something more regular, there could be an opportunity that’s a great fit for you.
Take a look at the latest volunteering opportunities on Volunteer First and see where your time could make a difference.