Volunteer for Shelter Scotland
We exist to defend the right to a safe home and fight the impact of the housing emergency. Shelter Scotland volunteers are part of our fight. From raising funds in our shops or local communities to helping those directly impacted by the housing emergency, there are so many ways you can make a difference.
OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE FIGHTING FOR HOME
We welcome volunteers from all backgrounds, especially those with lived experience of homelessness and unsafe housing. Our diverse community of volunteers is an asset to Shelter Scotland, bringing valuable perspectives and empathy to everything we do.
How to become a volunteer
1. Apply for a role
Browse our current volunteering opportunities to find a role and location that are suitable for you. Select ‘fill in an application’, enter your details and then ‘submit application’. We’ll get in touch within 14 days.
2. Progressing your application
We’ll hold an informal recruitment conversation with you to get to know you and give you a chance to find out more about the role.
3. Recruitment checks
Depending on the role you applied for, we may ask you to complete a criminal record check and/or self-disclose any convictions. The role profile will confirm if this applies.
4. Getting to know you
After we confirm your role, you’ll have a main contact who'll provide you with learning material, an induction and ongoing support. You’ll be asked to sign a Volunteer Agreement outlining what you can expect from us and us from you.
5. Welcome to Shelter Scotland
You’re now part of our volunteer community. Thank you for your support!
Want to know more about volunteering?
Why volunteer
There are so many different reasons to volunteer. Volunteering with us is a space to grow, to build confidence and find a sense of purpose, all while playing a part in fighting the housing emergency. It’s also a great way of meeting new people and having fun.
Whatever your motivation, we’d love to hear from you.
Who can volunteer
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, especially those with lived experience of homelessness or bad housing.
You have to be aged 18 or older to volunteer for roles in our offices or with our Community Fundraising teams.
If you're aged 14 to 18 you can volunteer in our shops. You'll need consent from a parent or carer if you're under 16.
All our volunteers must be based in Scotland. Please view the role adverts for more information on where volunteer opportunities are based.
See our current volunteering opportunities to find out more
Time commitment
Our roles are as flexible as possible to suit your availability.
You could volunteer every week, support us at a one-off event, or somewhere in between. We can adjust your time with us if your circumstances change.
Volunteering if you have convictions
At Shelter Scotland, we pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming volunteers with a range of life experiences. Having a criminal record doesn’t automatically make you unable to volunteer with us. We’ll talk to you about your conviction and anything else you’d like us to know, for example the circumstances surrounding the conviction or how things have changed since.
Occasionally a conviction may impact some aspects of the volunteer role, but we recognise the skills you bring as an individual and we'll do our best to find a suitable role for you or make minor adjustments to the one you applied for.
Ways you can volunteer
In our shops
We have Shelter Scotland shops across the country, all powered by volunteers. Join us in one of our shops and you could be serving customers, sorting stock, creating window displays, or even out and about in a van collecting donations.
In your community
Our community volunteers help us by raising funds, collecting donations, and spreading the word about what we do. You can choose whether to join us at events or speak at community groups, or even a bit of both.
See our current volunteer community roles
Supporting our Fight for Home
You could volunteer to help people who are experiencing homelessness or bad housing. This could involve working on digital research, outreach, support, admin and communications, all while empowering people to know about their rights.
See our current volunteer support roles
Volunteer stories with Shelter Scotland
Find out what volunteering with Shelter Scotland is like
"Volunteering makes you feel good."
"Volunteering has developed my skills, working with other people as a team."
"I've learned a lot about homelessness and housing issues."