Growing through volunteering

Why investing in young volunteers benefits everyone

When I was asked to write about recruiting young volunteers, my first instinct was to produce a simple factsheet. Something practical to help organisations use Volunteer Cambs , understand the basics, and navigate the technical side of involving younger people.

But the more I thought about it, the more I realised that would miss the point.

Because this is not just a recruitment question.

It is a question about what kind of organisations we want to be, and what kind of communities we want to build. 

To explain what I mean, I need to go back to my beginning.

I grew up in Italy, the daughter of two teachers. My mother believed education did not stop at the classroom door. She encouraged young people to question, to take part, and to believe their voice mattered.

That belief shaped me early on. I started volunteering as a teenager and have continued in different forms throughout my life. Peer mentoring, animal shelters, environmental projects, community research, refugee support work, and later local community projects.

Volunteering was never separate from life. It became how I understood belonging, responsibility, and connection to others.

And that is the first reason investing in young volunteers matters.

Young people do not just gain from volunteering. They are also forming their sense of place in the world. When they are welcomed into real roles where they feel useful and they feel they have an impact, they begin to understand that they matter in their communities. That they are needed. That they can contribute now, not just in the future.

The second reason is what they bring to organisations.

When I think back to my own early volunteering, we were deeply committed. We believed what we were doing mattered, and we wanted to be part of it.

We were students, so we had knowledge but not much experience. We learned by being included, by watching, and by trying things out.

We noticed things others sometimes missed. We were often closer to the people we were supporting in age, experience or perspective. We were comfortable with early digital tools and informal communication at a time when many organisations were still adapting. We helped share information, make simple materials, and connect people through word of mouth and networks.

None of this felt exceptional at the time. It just felt like participation.

But in reality, it added capacity, creativity and reach, to the organisations we were part of.

The third reason is long term impact. 

Many of the people I volunteered with went on to work in education, community work, or the voluntary sector. That was not a coincidence. Early volunteering shapes identity. It often shapes careers. More importantly, it shapes how people relate to their communities for the rest of their lives.

So when we talk about recruiting young volunteers, we are not talking about short term support. We are talking about investment in the future of civic life.

Which brings us to the practical side.

What does good practice look like

Most organisations already have the foundations they need. Involving young volunteers is usually about adapting existing practice, not starting from scratch.

Before you advertise, make sure safeguarding, supervision, insurance and volunteer policies are in place. A useful test is simple – would this still work if the volunteer was 15 or 16?

When designing roles, avoid simply adapting adult descriptions. Focus on what the volunteer will actually do, what support they will receive, and what they might gain. Clarity and simplicity matter more than complexity.

When advertising through Volunteer Cambs, be explicit about age suitability and whether parental consent is needed. Use clear, welcoming language, especially for those who may be applying for their first volunteering role.

Parents and guardians are important partners, particularly for under 18s. They should feel informed and reassured, while young people remain central to communication and decision making wherever possible.

From the first expression of interest, keep the process human. An informal conversation works better than a formal interview. It helps both sides understand whether the role is a good fit.

Early support matters. Clear induction, regular check ins and encouragement in the first weeks can make a significant difference to confidence and retention.

A final thought

Young volunteers are often seen as people who benefit from experience and guidance.

They do.

But they are also contributors right now.

They bring energy, perspective, skills and connections that strengthen organisations today, not just in the future.

If we involve them well, we are not just supporting young people.

We are strengthening the fabric of our communities.

If you’d like support, contact us. We’re always happy to help.