Recruiting volunteers for your charity 

Recruiting volunteers for your charity is one of the most important things you can do to strengthen your impact, but finding the right people isn’t always easy.

Many organisations struggle with time, reach, and resources, which can make volunteer recruitment feel overwhelming. That’s why more charities are turning to technology to simplify the process and connect with volunteers who are ready to get involved.

Why strategic volunteer recruitment matters

Getting your approach right makes a big difference. Strong volunteer recruitment opens up new capacity, increases community engagement, and helps charities deliver more impact.

For smaller organisations, the challenge is often knowing where to start. Limited networks and resources make it difficult to reach new audiences, which can slow growth. That’s where volunteer recruitment tips and smarter strategies can help.

By focusing on how to recruit volunteers for a nonprofit organisation effectively, you can build stronger teams and, just as importantly, keep people engaged for the long term. This is where volunteer recruitment and retention strategies come in. 
Recruitment is only the first step, but when paired with good engagement and management, it creates lasting support for your cause.

Digital Volunteering Platforms make this easier, helping charities recruit volunteers by reaching more people quickly and matching them with roles that fit their interests, particularly valuable for smaller organisations that don’t always have the same visibility.

Where and how to advertise volunteer roles

Knowing where to recruit volunteers is just as important as the roles themselves. Charities need to think carefully about the channels they use to find people who are passionate about their cause.

There are many options to consider:

  • Local community spaces

    Libraries, community centres, places of worship and noticeboards are still valuable for reaching people who prefer offline opportunities.

  • Schools, colleges, and universities

    Many young people are looking to gain skills and experience through volunteering, so connecting with student unions or careers teams can be effective.

  • Job and volunteer boards

    Sites like Do-it.org, Reach Volunteering, CharityJob, or your local Volunteer Centre can help widen your reach.

  • Social media

    Platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great for promoting roles to local communities, while LinkedIn works well for professional or skills-based volunteering.

  • Workplace volunteering schemes

    If local businesses have employee volunteering programmes, sharing your opportunities directly with them can open doors to ready-to-go volunteers.

While these methods are effective, managing them all can be time-consuming. That’s why more charities are moving online. A centralised platform streamlines where to advertise volunteer opportunities in the UK, giving you a direct connection to volunteers who are actively searching for roles.

If you’re wondering how to recruit volunteers in a way that saves time, advertising on the Volunteering Platform  means your opportunities automatically appear in front of the right people, helping you reach a wider and more relevant audience.