Does Volunteering Count as Work Experience?

Yes, volunteering counts as work experience. The National Careers Service, part of GOV.UK, lists volunteering alongside work placements and paid jobs as something to include, most recent first. Many employers view it the same way, as evidence of skills, reliability and commitment.

The evidence backs this up. A 2022 survey by the British Heart Foundation found that 98% of 16 and 17 year olds said volunteering had improved their employability skills. NCVO's Time Well Spent 2023 survey found that 6 in 10 volunteers used their professional skills while volunteering. That is direct, real field experience a young person can talk about on their CV and in an interview.

What employers say counts, versus what young people assume doesn't

The myth: many young people assume volunteering "doesn't count" because it isn't paid. It persists because job adverts default to listing paid roles under "experience," so anything unpaid feels like it belongs somewhere else.

GOV.UK's own jobs help service tells young jobseekers with no paid work history the opposite, to build their CV around the transferable skills gained through volunteering, hobbies, caring or community activities. It specifically names team working, communication, adaptability and time management as the skills employers value, regardless of whether they were paid or unpaid.

These transferable skills matter most when there's little else on the CV to draw on, which is exactly the position most young volunteers are in.

How to talk about it on a CV or application

Treat volunteering the same way you would a paid job. List the organisation, dates and role title, then describe what you did using the same language you would for paid work. Focus on achievements, not just duties. Here are a couple of examples.

How to list office volunteering on your CV

Administrative Volunteer, [Charity name], March 2026 to present

• Maintained the charity's CRM system, updating over 200 supporter records to keep data accurate
• Prioritised incoming enquiries across email and phone, working to same day response targets
• Managed the charity's Instagram account, growing followers by 35% and engagement by 20% over six months

How to list event volunteering on your CV

Fundraising Event Volunteer, [Charity name], Summer 2025

• Worked as part of a 15 person team to deliver a public fundraising event, coordinating setup and stalls
• Handled cash donations on the day, reconciling totals with the team lead at close
• Managed queries from the public, resolving issues calmly during busy periods

Both show the same thing employers look for on a paid CV: specifics, numbers where possible, and outcomes rather than a vague list of tasks.

As an employer, what do I look for when hiring a young person?

When I'm hiring, I look for someone who has put themselves out there. Volunteering shows me this, especially a regular commitment over several months. It simply tells me, you showed up.

Working as part of a team and getting along with people matters just as much as any technical skill. So does being able to take guidance and complete tasks without needing everything spelled out.

For me, showing willingness is what counts. I believe in the motto hire for attitude, train for talent, and there is no better proof of great attitude than someone who gave their time to a cause without being paid for it.

What should charities do to help young volunteers gain experience?

Removing cost barriers matters most for young volunteers, since they're least likely to have spare income to cover travel or lunch. Prompt, simple reimbursement can be the difference between a young person taking up a placement and turning it down.

vHelp is a UK-based platform that reimburses volunteer expenses directly to a volunteer's bank account within 24 hours, so charities can remove that barrier without adding to their own admin. See how it works for organisations with volunteers.

Conclusion

I know what it's like to be on the other side of this question. When I moved to the UK, I was petrified of going straight into paid work. I didn't feel my English was good enough. So I volunteered on reception at a London charity first.

I hardly knew what I was doing at the start. I forwarded calls to the wrong people, put the wrong stamps on the post, and once hung up on a funder because I couldn't follow what he was saying. But people were patient with my mistakes in a way I don't think a paid employer would have been, so I kept going.

That volunteering gave me the confidence to go for a paid job afterwards. It was real experience, doing real work, with real people, and it mattered every bit as much as a wage would have.

If you're a young person asking whether volunteering counts, I can tell you from both sides of the hiring desk, it does.

Frequently asked questions

Does volunteering count as real work experience?

Yes. GOV.UK's National Careers Service lists volunteering alongside paid jobs and work placements as experience to include on a CV, most recent first.

Can I put volunteering on my CV if I've never had a paid job?

Yes. GOV.UK's jobs help service recommends building a CV around the transferable skills gained through volunteering, such as team working, communication and time management, when there is little paid history to draw on.

Do employers value regular volunteering more than a one-off event?

Often, yes. A regular commitment over several months shows reliability and follow through, which is harder to demonstrate from a single day of volunteering.

Should charities pay volunteer expenses?

Yes. Covering travel and other out of pocket costs removes a barrier that particularly affects young volunteers, who are less likely to have spare income to cover these costs themselves.

How quickly should charities reimburse volunteer expenses?

As quickly as possible. Prompt reimbursement, rather than a wait of several weeks, can be the difference between a young volunteer taking up a placement and turning it down.

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