We have a range of volunteering placements at PBIC where you can utilise and develop your skills and knowledge to help others. Read our volunteering FAQs to find out more.

Whether you want to dedicate your time regularly or on an ad-hoc basis – we’re happy to accommodate you and any time that you can spare.

To apply for a volunteering position, please download and fill out our expression of interest form. Once completed, please send it over along with your CV to volunteering@pbic.org.uk.

Our volunteers get free access to unlimited ESOL courses at PBIC and opportunities to attend specialist training in a relevant subject area.

Why volunteer?

People choose to volunteer for various reasons.

img

You can learn new skills

Apart from soft skills such as leadership, teamworking and problem-solving skills, you will get the opportunity to develop in a specific area. You might want to learn how to teach English, give welfare advice or operate online databases. In addition, it’s a great opportunity to improve your English. Many of our volunteers have said how much their English improved through volunteering.

img

You will gain valuable work experience

Whether you have just finished school or have just moved to the UK, volunteering gives you the opportunity to experience a professional UK work environment. You will gain valuable experience which you can write about in your CV. Studies have shown that applicants who engage in volunteering have higher chances of being hired.

img

You can improve your health and happiness

Studies have found that volunteers report better health (both physical and mental) than non-volunteers. The World Happiness Report revealed that social support and generosity are key determinants of national wellbeing.

img

You will make an impact

You will have the chance to contribute to your community and be a part of something bigger than yourself. You can use your skills and knowledge to support those in need and have a real impact on their lives.

img

You can make new friends

Volunteering is a great way to meet new like-minded people. One of the best ways to make new friends is to commit to a shared activity which is exactly what you will do in a volunteering placement!

img

You can improve your knowledge

Our volunteers get free access to unlimited ESOL courses at PBIC and opportunities to attend specialist training in a relevant subject area.

Volunteering roles

Help with the day to day running of the office, greeting clients, filing paperwork, data entry etc. This placement is ideal for anyone looking to pursue a career in administration and would like to gain some experience.  

Our advice team is always looking for enthusiastic people that are keen to learn and take on new challenges. Support our general advice service, one to one advice, drop-in surgeries and casework. We provide a holistic approach to advice and guidance, you may be supporting individuals with issues in the following areas: welfare, employment, housing, consumer goods and many more.  

Some of the people that come through our door just need someone to talk to. It may be that they’re lonely or have no one to turn to with an issue. Our listening service volunteers will sit with clients and listen, without judgement, in full confidentiality and impartiality – just listen. As a listening service volunteer, you will be responsible for referring the individual to the appropriate service where needed.  

Our volunteer interpreters provide community interpreting in a range of different settings, from interpreting general advice sessions, to supporting individuals with visits to the bank or meetings with solicitors.  

We are especially looking for volunteers who speak the following languages: Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian, Russian, Portuguese, Spanish and Italian.  

Helping overcome the language barrier is key to successful integration. If you have experience teaching English as a foreign language and would like to give back to the community – get in touch! Our courses vary from ESOL with British Values, IELTS, Pre-Entry ESOL and Preparing for the Life in the UK test. 
We host several social and professional events throughout the year, volunteers help with organising and supporting events on the day. These placements are perfect for those who cannot commit to a regular number of hours each week.  
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Get in touch! We’d love to hear what you can bring to the table.

Volunteering FAQs

We often get asked lots of questions about volunteering and how to get involved. We’ve tried to answer as many as possible below:

Please send over a filled-in expression of interest form and your CV to volunteering@pbic.org.uk

Once you’ve sent your CV a member of our team will be in contact within 2 weeks. You will then be invited to an informal interview. If you are successful, we’ll try and set you up as soon as possible. However, some roles require special checks and clearances*  which may take a little longer to obtain. Once we have all the documents needed you can start straight away.    *PBIC will cover the cost for any checks/clearances that may be needed for your role.  
Yes – you may volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to improve your skills whilst looking for work. You should advise your Jobcentre if you start a volunteer placement as this is looked upon as a positive progression into employment.  
It’s entirely up to you. Some of our volunteers are happy to help for a couple of hours a week, some a few days per month. We have a volunteer database for any ad-hoc volunteer requirements such as translation/interpreting or event support, meaning that you can volunteer only a few times a year if you’d like.  
Again – this is also your call. However, if you’ve signed up to volunteer and we don’t hear from you in 12 months then we’ll take you off our system. You’ll be notified of this and be able to reapply if interested.  
You need to be aged 14 or over to volunteer. If you are under 18, you must get permission from your parents or guardians. 

“Volunteering at PBIC helped me gain confidence in a working environment. I now have great experience to add to my CV and I’ve made some wonderful friends in the process!”

Adam

“I like meeting new people daily and enjoy working in a team of friendly people that are always looking to help. I am very happy gaining new experiences and learning new things.”

Sonya

“I have been able to develop my English skills significantly. Interpreting for welfare advisors allowed me to learn lots about UK systems and the vocabulary around it. I was not very confident when I started and did not know if I was good enough to interpret – but the team was so encouraging and supportive which was the boost I needed!”

Marta who we now employ as a career adviser