Volunteer work consists of non-paid activities done to produce goods or provide services to people other than members of the person’s own household or family. It plays a key role in many countries, contributing to the economy and social cohesion and enabling people to participate more actively in civic life.
Volunteers perform a wide variety of tasks, from tutoring children and adults to cleaning streets. They are often motivated by altruism, personal development or a desire to connect with their community, but they also offer a range of tangible benefits to organisations. In addition to bringing in extra hands, they can help improve efficiency and productivity, reduce costs, promote sustainability, and strengthen relationships with the community.
There are some important distinctions between volunteer work and paid employment, especially in a professional context. The term ‘unpaid work’ is sometimes used to refer to internships, which are structured programs that provide experience in a specific industry or profession.
People engage in volunteer work without the expectation of receiving remuneration for their efforts, although they may receive informal forms of support such as meals and transport or symbolic gifts as a way of saying thanks. Volunteering is also distinct from forced labour, which includes military service, court-mandated community service, and domestic or foreign work that is performed for a state employer. In some cases, it is legal for volunteers to be employed by the same organisation in which they volunteer, however this can limit the amount of time they can contribute as a volunteer.