We have a range of volunteering activities, and you can choose to do what suits you.
Most types of activity can take place in person or virtually. In-person activities let you connect with primary and secondary schools in your local community. Virtual activities give you the chance to reach schools and young people across the country.
Activities inside school
Career insight talks
Volunteers talk to pupils about their career and link learning to the wider world of work. These interactive talks often use props or a presentation to engage young people and spark their curiosity.
‘What’s my Line?’
This fun, interactive activity is popular with primary schools as it gets children thinking about what it is like to do different jobs and brings learning to life. Through guessing each volunteer’s job, it also helps to challenge stereotypes and broaden horizons.
Speed networking
Volunteers from different sectors and professions participate in informal Q&A sessions with young people. It’s a quick and fun way to help pupils gain insights into different careers and broaden their aspirations.
Careers fairs
Volunteers run a stand and speak to young people as representatives of their organisation or sector in these larger activities hosted by secondary schools or colleges.
Help with CVs
Volunteers may run a workshop on how to create a successful CV or provide feedback on CVs as part of wider career or employability events, helping young people prepare themselves for when they apply for jobs.
Mock interviews
Following the format and conditions of an actual interview, this activity allows young people to get constructive feedback on their interview skills. This is an especially good activity for volunteers with experience of staff recruitment.
Activities outside school
Job shadowing
Aimed at older students hoping to gain insight into a specific career or industry, these short placements allow young people to observe a volunteer during a typical workday and see first-hand what it’s like.
Workplace visits
Groups of young people come into a workplace to learn more about that industry, usually spending a day touring the workplace, hearing from different departments and engaging in a hands-on demonstration or employability skills workshop.
Work experience
This is a temporary placement for a young person in a workplace generally lasting up to two weeks where they engage in junior-level tasks to gain insight into an industry.