Micro-Volunteering

What is Micro-Volunteering?

Micro-volunteering means undertaking small, quick, low commitment actions that benefit a good cause. It might be a task that one person completes from start to finish, or it might be broken down into small parts, where an individual is just one of many people performing the same task to achieve the end result. These tasks can be anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 min to an hour! Micro volunteering doesn't necessarily require any ongoing commitment. Sometimes called home or virtual volunteering, if it's online, it can be done from anywhere, at any time!

What does micro-volunteering look like?

Micro-volunteering can be digital, but it doesn’t have to be. It can be ad-hoc, for the same charity or for a different cause each time. It can be skilled such as reviewing a draft proposal or practical such as transporting donations. The list is endless!

Examples include:

• Copy editing leaflets.
• Creating useful connections/networking.
• Set up a social media account.
• Create media content.
• Office-based micro-volunteering opportunities including archiving or data input.
• Share a post on social media to raise awareness or ask for donations.
• Sign a petition.
• Join a bag pack or shake a bucket.
• Donate supplies or collect donations.
• Fill out a survey.
• Translate a document.
• Donate your skills, such as graphic design.
• Take part in some citizen science.
• Litter pick.

You can find some great micro-volunteering opportunities from national and international organisations such as Age Scotland, Macmillan, SSPCA and the United Nations Volunteer programme.

Watch this video by Walking Scotland:

https://youtu.be/EuH6tsQi_qQ?si=QyBa05dTCq4c_kWn

For Organisations

In order to set up and be successful in recruiting volunteers for micro-volunteering opportunities, organisations still need to consider the full volunteer journey. These steps should help you be successful:

• Plan – what are the tasks, who will manage process.
• Advertise – Be the Change, social media, noticeboards.
• Recruit / Manage – be on top of volunteer enquiries, avoid onerous admin.
• Task – give clear, simple instructions and be available for questions.
• Feedback – encourage open and regular feedback from the volunteers.
• Recognition – letter of thanks, references, opportunities to socialise. 
• 
  

What are the Benefits of Micro-volunteering?

According to Charity Excellence, Micro-volunteering has numerous benefits.

·      It enables charities to create volunteering opportunities that engage people in your cause, who may otherwise not have the time.

·      It can get lots done quickly and efficiently, and can save charities time and money.

·      With jobs and family commitments, lack of time can be a real barrier to volunteering and this is a simple way to encourage more to volunteer. 

·      Micro-volunteering can be used by any charity and it:

·      Enables you to increase volunteering capacity and access skills and experience that you might otherwise have been unable to.

·      Allows you to recruit volunteers from anywhere in the country, not just locally.

·      Can be used to reach groups who may otherwise be excluded, such as older people or the disabled, if housebound.

·      Often doesn’t require an application process or training.

·      Can be a good way to bring people initially on board and then grow their engagement and commitment to play a greater role in your work.

https://www.charityexcellence.co.uk/what-is-micro-volunteering/; accessed 11/12/2025.