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Volunteering for military charities
Military charities are focused on attending to the needs of servicemen and women, both past and present.
The charities run services that will support the physical and mental wellbeing of returning veterans, current military individuals and their families. There is help available in areas such as housing, children, health and social care and volunteers are needed across them all.
If you’re passionate about giving back to the brave service people who have protected our country and its civil liberties, then browse the opportunities below to find the role that best suits you.
Military volunteering opportunities range from fundraising in supermarkets to helping families create keepsakes that can be sent to serving men and women.
Roles that involve working directly with military personnel and their families usually require a minimum commitment of a few hours regularly to ensure continuity of care.
What sort of roles are available?
Caseworker
Voluntary case workers typically work with former servicemen to assess their needs and ensure they have access to the correct services, for example, counselling. You will work one-on-one with clients in a rewarding role where you get to see first-hand the positive impact you are having on their lives.
You will also assess clients’ overall situation, like their living conditions, and decide whether they need extra support in these areas. For example, a charity might offer to pay for a fresh coat of paint in a client’s home to help lift their morale.
Ssafa (The Armed Forces Charity) recruit voluntary case workers frequently.
Befriender/carer
Many war veterans experience social isolation. By volunteering your time as a befriender, you could change one (or many lives) for the better.
The role may involve visiting the veteran at home to find out how they would like to go about getting the most out of life and helping them integrate into community groups where they can meet like-minded people and make new friends. You may also help out with odd jobs such as gardening or admin. The Royal Air Forces Association frequently appeal for befrienders across the country.
Fundraising
If you don’t want to make a long-term volunteering commitment, you could still support a military charity of your choice by doing some fundraising. One of the most popular ways to raise money is through The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, which runs in November every year.
Why not volunteer as a street collector, where you will encourage as many people as possible to wear a poppy in exchange for a small donation?
Additional roles supporting military charities
For more information on supporting the military in ‘behind the scenes’ roles, please click through to our Charity shop work, Office & admin and Fundraising pages, or explore the range of charities below.
What charities can I volunteer for?
Ssafa, The Royal British Legion, Help for Heroes, Royal Air Forces Association
Why volunteer later in life?
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Explore volunteering roles
There are so many ways you can make a difference. Discover a wide range of volunteering opportunities and find the role that’s right for you.