Young Nepalese girl with her brother

Lasting change through volunteering

Creating lasting change by unlocking the power of people

We know that simply sending money can’t make the kind of lasting changes we all want to see. So, we unlock the power of people, bringing together local, national and international volunteers to work alongside the world’s most marginalised and vulnerable communities to build generational change. 

Areas of work

Purnima at a catch up class
Suraj Shakya

Inclusive and resilient education

Making sure everyone gets the skills they need to live a fulfilled, dignified life.

We helped over 3.2 million people to access the quality education they deserve in 2022-23.

Young female farmers in Kenya
Paul Wambugu/ Obscuramedia

Resilient livelihoods

Ensuring people have the skills and opportunities needed to support themselves and their families.

200,000 people benefited from our work supporting livelihoods in 2022-23.

Girls at the She Club, a safe space for girls to learn about SRHR
Chosa Mweemba

Adolescent and youth health and wellbeing

Improving health services and empowering people to exercise their right to quality care.

We helped almost 90,000 people access better healthcare in 2022-23.

Woman in headscarf

Right now, communities in the southern Philippines are recovering from decades of conflict.

With your support, a community scarred by conflict can unite and build a peaceful and hopeful future. Please, will you help heal and rebuild lives today.

Latest news

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Community volunteer
Lisa Marie David

Transforming individuals, communities and societies through active citizenship

Volunteers are an incredible resource, who are making a vital contribution to the delivery of the sustainable development goals. They are also stepping up to question, to challenge, to hold decision makers to account for their actions.

Fatima with community women
Lisa Marie David

A quiet revolution: Women rise above traditions in conflict-scarred communities

In a secluded marshland in the southern Philippines, women are emerging from the solitude and loneliness of their homes, reclaiming their place in the community and learning new skills – and it’s all thanks to your support.

A member of the Mpahi beekeeping co-operative checks on his bees.
©VSO/Alice Kayibanda

Beekeeping a sweet alternative to mining in Tanzania

Tanzania is a land rich in minerals, and mining is one of the country’s leading industrial sectors. However, the extractive industries cause many problems. But now there’s an economic alternative to mining through....bees! Read more

Our impact

In 2022-23, VSO reached 10.9 million people, nearly 7.4 million indirectly and over 3.5 million directly.

Find out more in our annual impact report

3.2m

Over 3.2 million were reached through our education projects.

200,000

Almost 200,000 people were reached through our resilient livelihoods programme.

90,000

Almost 90,000 people were reached through our health projects.

87,000

Over 87,000 through our wider work on resilience, inclusion and social accountability.

Volunteering with VSO

Make an impact by sharing your skills and experience with some of the most marginalised people in the world. Become a VSO volunteer.

Browse all current opportunities

More ways you can support VSO