Tips for Recruiting and Engaging Young Volunteers

Young volunteers bring fresh ideas, energy, and enthusiasm to any organisation. However, keeping them engaged means understanding what motivates them and what they are looking for in a volunteer experience. They often seek meaningful opportunities that align with their values, provide skill development, and allow them to make a tangible instant impact.

With the right approach, organisations can create a supportive and enriching environment that encourages young people to contribute their time and effort. Here are some effective ways to attract and retain young volunteers:

Engaging young people in volunteering is easier than ever with social media. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn are powerful tools to spread the word about opportunities. Eye-catching images, short videos, and interactive content can capture their interest, while direct messaging and polls encourage engagement and feedback.

Since many young people use TikTok as a search engine for opportunities, travel, and inspiration, why not for volunteering too? By tapping into TikTok trends and using popular sounds, your organisation can reach a wider audience in a fun and relatable way. Plus, offering easy online sign-ups and digital volunteering options makes getting involved more convenient than ever. A strong online presence builds credibility and ensures your organisation is accessible to the next generation of changemakers.

Young volunteers want to feel like their work has purpose. They often look for opportunities that help them gain new skills, build their resumes, or make a real difference. Giving them leadership roles, project-based tasks, or advocacy opportunities—especially in areas they care about—can keep them engaged. Be sure to explain how their contributions make an impact. Providing structured mentorship programs or pairing new volunteers with experienced members can also enhance their experience. Furthermore, allowing young volunteers to take ownership of projects fosters a sense of responsibility and pride in their work, increasing their long-term commitment.

You can make volunteer roles more appealing to young people by rethinking job titles and descriptions. For example, "charity shop volunteer" might not immediately grab their attention, but a role like "Visual Merchandising Assistant" or "Store Stylist" could spark interest. Framing the opportunity as a chance to curate displays, style the shop window, and gain hands-on retail experience makes it more engaging. By highlighting creative and skill-building aspects, you can attract young volunteers who want to contribute while developing valuable expertise.

Between school, jobs, and personal commitments, young people have busy schedules. Making volunteer roles more flexible—like offering remote work, short-term tasks, or weekend shifts—can help them stay involved. Letting them choose tasks that fit their schedule will also encourage long-term participation. Virtual volunteering is another great option, allowing them to contribute from anywhere. Here are some ideas:

Micro-volunteering involves completing small, one-off tasks that can be done in a short amount of time. This type of volunteering is perfect for busy young people who want to make a difference but don't have a lot of time to commit. Some examples of micro-volunteering tasks:

Micro-volunteering is a great way for young people to get involved in volunteering without having to make a long-term commitment. Ensuring that tasks have clear instructions and manageable time commitments can also reduce stress and make volunteering a positive experience. One-off missions are great for this on Volunteero. Just small tasks for the volunteers, they complete them and you can archive them.

Young volunteers are more likely to stay engaged if they feel connected to others. Encouraging teamwork, hosting social events, and setting up mentorship programs can make them feel welcome. Group volunteering is also a great way to attract more young people since they often share opportunities with friends. Some young volunteers might feel more comfortable and confident bringing a friend with as well. Having them complete tasks in pairs can be really encouraging.

Creating online communities can help volunteers stay connected even outside of scheduled activities. Organising regular check-ins or informal gatherings helps build a sense of belonging. When volunteers feel like they are part of a supportive network, they are more likely to stay committed and encourage their peers to get involved as well. The Volunteero Chat feature can create an interactive and safe environment for young people to interact. The volunteers won’t be able to see each others contact details or start conversations with other young people. You as the staff user, have full control and can create this online community for them.

Recognising volunteers for their hard work makes them feel valued. Simple things like thank-you messages, social media shout-outs, and appreciation events can go a long way. Offering incentives such as certificates, recommendation letters, or professional development opportunities can also help keep them motivated. Personalised recognition, like highlighting individual achievements or asking volunteers for their input on future projects, shows that their contributions truly matter. Gamifying the volunteer experience can be a great way to boost engagement and encourage long-term participation. Implementing reward systems, achievement badges, or milestones adds a fun and interactive element to volunteering. For example, Volunteero's Badges Feature on allows you to create custom badges tailored to your organisation, making recognition more personal and meaningful. This article here offers plenty of creative examples to inspire you.

Make use of Volunteero's chat feature to motivate and shout-out volunteer achievements, This public recognition can help volunteers feel valued and appreciated, strengthening their connection to the cause.

Recruiting and engaging young volunteers requires a thoughtful, flexible, and tech-savvy approach that aligns with their values, interests, and lifestyles. By leveraging social media, offering meaningful roles, providing flexibility, fostering a sense of community, and showing appreciation, organisations can create an environment where young people feel inspired to contribute their time and skills. Clear communication, strong relationships, and recognition are key to keeping them engaged and motivated. Providing leadership opportunities, mentorship programs, and chances for skill development can further enhance their experience.

Volunteero can make this process even easier by streamlining volunteer management, and offering digital tools to engage and communicate with young volunteers effectively. The one-off missions, interactive chat, and custom badges help create a rewarding and community-driven experience. With Volunteero, organisations can simplify onboarding, track contributions, and ensure volunteers feel recognised and valued. When young volunteers see the real impact of their efforts, they are more likely to stay involved and encourage their peers to join. Investing in young volunteers today not only strengthens your organisation but also helps shape the next generation of passionate and dedicated changemakers, ensuring a vibrant and engaged volunteer community for years to come.