What is volunteering?
It is not possible to provide a single definition of volunteering, as it varies according to social context, the values of each organisation, and its principles. VolunteerNow defines volunteering as “freely giving unpaid time and skills to benefit others, beyond close friends or relatives.”
Claire, RMC’s Volunteer and Training Manager, describes it as simply “choosing to give our free time to a cause that we believe in”.
Why do people volunteer?
People volunteer for a mix of personal, professional, and social reasons, or sometimes just because they enjoy it. Whether it is a student wanting to enrich a CV or gain experience to meet professional expectations, a working-age adult looking to get more involved in their community, or a retired person who still enjoys being active and giving their time to a good cause. Volunteering helps people practise a language, meet others, share experiences, feel less lonely, improve their mental health, learn about local services and gain cultural awareness.
We live in a world of constant information, where headlines and online content can sometimes amplify negative or misleading narratives. Volunteering with organisations like RMC offers a chance to look beyond this, to connect with people, learn from lived experiences, and understand the real impact of policies and global events. It is about building knowledge, empathy, and a more informed perspective.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead
Volunteering in a UK context
As reported by the Guardian, the social role attributed to volunteering has evolved over time. “In the 1960s volunteering was seen as a way of diverting youthful energy away from Mods-and-Rockers gang feuds. In the 1970s the emphasis was on professionalising volunteer effort as a reliable appendage to social services. The Thatcher administration of the 1980s saw volunteering very much through a lens of individual freedom, and as a practical response to mass unemployment and inner-city unrest, while the mood music of the 1990s under both Tory and Labour regimes was heavy on active citizenship.”
Nowadays, volunteering is not only aimed at specific groups; everyone, regardless of age, occupation, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or culture, has the opportunity to volunteer. Volunteering has evolved to include responsibilities that support the development of professional, social and personal skills for everyone involved, including the organisations that learn from the volunteers they support.
Volunteering does not have to happen within a big organisation, it can be something you do on your own, such as raising money for an animal shelter, helping an elderly neighbour with groceries, joining your university’s volunteer team or supporting local small businesses. The flexibility of volunteering lies in the fact that people can start small and either use their existing skills to help or try something new that interests them.
Volunteering at RMC
At RMC, volunteers start by answering a few questions, having an informal chat with Claire and then shadowing a staff member to see how the work is done. RMC offers a range of volunteering roles, from advising and reception support to contacting people who use the service to gather data, assisting with ESOL classes, contributing to projects, and using interpreting skills when needed.
In 2025–2026, RMC had 127 volunteers, with 17 progressing into staff roles. Alongside this, 41 students completed their placements with RMC, including 2 who also joined the staff team. Together, volunteers and students contributed 15,009 hours, equivalent to £201,871.05 based on the Real Living Wage.
Each volunteer brings unique skills and knowledge to RMC and is an integral part of the services we offer. Volunteers and students massively expand RMC’s capacity, enabling us to assist more people in need. RMC aims to create a relationship that goes beyond the work itself. We support volunteers to get the most from their experience through regular communication from their dedicated mentor, recognition from staff, and opportunities to connect with colleagues across different offices, while shaping their experience around the skills they want to develop.
The role of volunteering has changed throughout history with each person bringing their own motivations for getting involved and staying committed. Today, it is not only about giving time, but about learning, connection and shared understanding. The joy of volunteering comes from meeting new people, becoming part of a community and, most importantly, doing something that feels meaningful and rewarding.
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