Volunteering means taking action for issues that you feel are important. You don’t need any special skills to become a volunteer, although in many volunteer positions, possible special skills can also be utilised. Voluntary work is unpaid work based on free will and choice. Everyone chooses the cause they want to do volunteer work for.
Anyone, regardless of their age, place of residence, gender, race, or other qualities can volunteer according to their abilities, schedules, and resources. Volunteering does not replace professional work in social services, but volunteers bring their own personal contribution to the activities. Volunteering is very valuable for individuals and the community. Voluntary work enhances communal trust and social capital which are also the bases of economic development in the society.
Volunteering is a two-way process where both the volunteer and the target gain something. Volunteers learn new skills, experience joy, meet new people, get new experiences, and are even empowered by volunteering. In Finland, volunteers help prevent loneliness and social exclusion, promote arts and culture, organize sports club activities, keep nature and the environment clean, and promote the well-being of people and animals in many ways.
Would you like to volunteer in Finland?
Read more about volunteering as an immigrant and among immigrants here. You can also find and submit volunteering tasks on our platform Vapaaehtoistyö.fi.
Volunteering opportunities for English speakers in Finland:
- Finnish Red Cross
- Finnish Red Cross multicultural activities
- Save the Children
- Familia
- Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters
- Finnish Association for Mental Health
- Yeesi
- Guiding and Scouting
- Kontti Recycling Department Stores
Volunteer opportunities in Helsinki region for Finnish and non-Finnish speakers:
- Volunteering in Helsinki (In Finnish)
- Helsinki City volunteering in youth work
- Finnish Red Cross
- Finnish Red Cross multicultural activities
- Finnish Refugee Council
- Helsinki Deaconess Institute
- Save the Children
- Familia
- Finnish Association for Mental Health
- Yeesi
- Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters
- Etelän-SYLI
- Kalliola Settlement House (In Finnish)
- Seniorisäätiö
- Guiding and Scouting
- Park Pal
- Kontti Recycling Department Stores
- Reuse Centre