Volunteering ideas for your teen

And why it’s a good idea

Quick summary

• Volunteering gives teens confidence, empathy, and teamwork skills
• Teens can find options that match their personality and interests
• Parents can help find a charity that shares their teens' values

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Raising a confident, kind, emotionally aware young person isn’t easy, especially when screens, school stress, and social pressures take up a lot of their space. 

Many parents want to help their teens grow, but aren’t always sure how to do that outside academics.

Volunteering can be a gentle, meaningful pathway.

It puts teens in real-world situations where they care, collaborate, learn responsibility, and see themselves making a difference, and that’s incredibly powerful for self-worth.

But what are the best ways for teens to get involved in volunteering, and what opportunities are available?

Benefits of volunteering for teenagers​

Volunteering teaches so much more than just “being helpful.”

It gives teens real experiences that boost confidence, grow empathy, and help them understand their place in the world. 

Here are a few of the most meaningful benefits:

• Builds confidence and encourages independence: teens get to solve problems, contribute to a team, and feel capable
• Encourages empathy and kindness: helping others offers a new perspective on what people face day-to-day
• Teaches responsibility and teamwork: they learn commitment, showing up on time, collaborating, and finishing tasks
• Helps teens understand community needs: this can spark purpose and increase appreciation for what they have
• Supports emotional development: doing meaningful activities eases low self-esteem 

Types of volunteering teens can explore

Every teen is different. Some love animals, others love organising events, and others are happiest outdoors. Thankfully, there’s a volunteering option for every personality. 

A few great starting points include:

• Animal lovers: helping at animal shelters and wildlife groups
• Community helpers: local charity shops, fundraising events, and visiting elderly care homes
• Nature and environment: beach or park clean-ups, helping with community garden projects, and conservation groups
• Helping other young people: tutoring younger students and mentoring programmes
• Supporting families in need: food banks, soup kitchens, and clothing donation drives

11 best opportunities for teenagers to volunteer​ 

Finding a trusted, organised place for teens to volunteer can make the experience feel safe, structured, and meaningful. 

Here are some well-known UK opportunities that welcome young people:

• Barnados: teens over the age of 14 can volunteer with this children’s charity and work in their retail shops
• Oxfam: has retail volunteer work for teens over the age of 14
• British Red Cross: offers a range of volunteering roles for teens over the age of 15
• The Royal Voluntary Service: students and young people can volunteer in hospitals and in the community with this charity 
• Young Minds: has opportunities for teens over the age of 14 to campaign for mental health and write for them
• UNICEF: sometimes offers work placement roles in their offices for teens over the age of 14
• RSPB: has no age limit on volunteering and offers various roles both on nature reserves and in the office
• The British Trust for Ornithology: offers volunteer roles for teens over the age of 11, including citizen science volunteering that allows them to survey and track birds
• Cats Protection: has cat care volunteer roles for over 14s, where you can spend time with cats and kittens 
• Surfers Against Sewage: allows teens over the age of 16 to organise and run their own environmental clean-up
• Sanctuary Care: offers teens volunteer roles in care homes

Many charities offer teens the chance to fundraise for them, amongst other opportunities.

Work with your teen to figure out what they are passionate about, and then find a charity that shares their values. 

Helping teens grow through giving

Volunteering helps teens grow emotionally, socially, and personally.

When they step into a real-world setting, they learn teamwork, empathy, confidence, and responsibility in ways that school and screen time can’t always offer.

Even small, occasional opportunities can make a lasting impact.

Sorting donations in a charity shop, helping at a food bank, or tending to animals at a shelter might seem simple, but these experiences often shape how teens view themselves and their place in the world.

And what truly makes volunteering meaningful is the support teens get from home.

When parents encourage their efforts, help them find the right environment, and talk through their experiences, volunteering becomes more than a task; it becomes a source of confidence, compassion, and personal growth.