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United Way Blog

Volunteering: There’s an app for that.

London is a world-class city with a new mark of distinction: global leader in volunteering. In December 2015 London was named European Volunteering Capital 2016. The honor comes in recognition of programs developed as a legacy of London 2012, when volunteering played a huge role in the success of the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  

Team London is Mayor Boris Johnson’s volunteering initiative for the city and focuses on areas where volunteers can make the biggest impact: making the capital greener and cleaner, increasing healthy living through cultural and sporting events, and increasing opportunities for young people. Since 2012 Team London has mobilized over 120,000 active volunteers, including 60,000 school children and young people.

And now Team London has launched a free “Speed Volunteer” app which matches volunteers with short, one-time volunteering opportunities, making it possible for busy people to find a convenient opportunity with a tap and a swipe. The new app is the first of its kind in the country and no doubt will make it easier for more Londoners to become volunteers. The Speed Volunteer app is available on iTunes and an Android version should be available soon.'


Once you download the app, you can search opportunities by your interest, the day, or the name of the organization. Opportunities pop up on a map or via a list that describes what’s involved and how many volunteers are needed. Opportunities could range from distributing leaflets to helping children at arts and crafts program to teaching English as a second language. Other opportunities include creating social media content for an education charity, maintaining ponds and wildlife areas and teaching homeless people to read and write.

Don’t live in London? Your local United Way might offer a similar app, and definitely can connect you all kinds of volunteering – short, medium or long-term. So no matter where you live, you can Live United.

Photos courtesy of Team London