YHA has a range of volunteering opportunities available. Have a look at the different types of volunteering that we have available below, or click on 'current opportunities' for a list of more specific positions.

1. Voluntary Wardening

Voluntary Wardening offers opportunities for YHA members to run a Youth Hostel for a week. The small self-catering hostels open to Volunteer Wardens are in some of the most idyllic locations in the network.

To apply you’ll need experience of staying in these small hostels and be willing to attend a weekend training course which covers the hostel routine, paperwork, customer service and health and safety. All Voluntary Wardens must also complete an Enhanced CRB Disclosure.

2. Hostel-based support

Many people volunteer to help at their local hostel and there are various opportunities on offer, depending on the nature and location of the hostel.

Volunteers are able to help with:

General upkeep and maintenance (not electrical work unless qualified)
Gardening
Conservation work where grounds permit
Organising events, including volunteer work parties and fundraising
Each hostel manager decides on the roles suitable for volunteers at their hostel, so please contact them directly and discuss what’s on offer.

3. National Office Support

YHA’s National Office is based in Matlock, Derbyshire. If you live in the Matlock area and have some free time during the week, there are various ways you could contribute towards the work of the office including:

Campaigning or lobbying on behalf of YHA
Administrative support, including for Marketing, Membership and the Volunteering departments
Professional services – see below.

4. Professional services

YHA welcomes support from individuals with professional services to offer. Are you an architect, lawyer, PR or marketing professional, youth worker, photographer, property valuer, teacher, surveyor, social worker, ecologist or Health and Safety professional? The list of professional skills that YHA could benefit from is practically endless. If you would like to help in this way please let us know what skills you would be willing to share.

5. Student placements

Work experience
We have a limited number of work experience placements each year. Placements are usually for one week at a hostel but if you live in the Matlock area, placements are also available at National Office.

International students
International Students are also welcome to apply for longer-term volunteering opportunities. If you are interested please contact us and tell us more about where and what you are studying and how long your overseas placement needs to be. Applications are only considered if you are on a recognised course.

Short projects
Throughout the year we organise special volunteering projects for young people undertaking schemes such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award or Millennium Volunteers. Please contact us to see if there is a project near you.

6. Youth work

Postellers is a YHA youth programme run by volunteers in London and the Southeast. The programme takes young people on hostelling trips throughout the year and opportunities are available to volunteers to help run the trips and help organise the group. To find out more please click here.

You should know that:

All volunteers must be registered for insurance purposes and if you are likely to come into contact with young people and vulnerable adults while you volunteer with YHA we will ask you to complete a free Enhanced CRB Disclosure.