Places in Metro Vancouver that welcome volunteers with no experience. We check each one by hand, and you apply on the organization's own site.
These sites list roles from many organizations. Some ask you to create a free account.
Volunteer centre · Charity
In Vancouver
Vancouver's volunteer centre. Sign up for single events with partner charities, such as food bank shifts and cleanups. No experience needed.
Volunteer centre · Charity
In Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and New Westminster
The Tri-Cities volunteer centre. Free one-on-one help to find a first role, plus a directory of roles for high school students.
Volunteer centre · Non-profit
In Langley
Matches volunteers with Langley non-profits, including work-from-home roles. Students often help at summer fairs and festivals.
Volunteer centre · Charity
In North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Bowen Island and Lions Bay
Book an information session and an advisor suggests roles that fit you. Its youth directory lists over 80 roles for ages 12 to 19.
Volunteer centre · Charity
In Richmond
Richmond's volunteer centre. It helps you find a role with a local non-profit.
Volunteer centre · Non-profit
Across Metro Vancouver
Free account. Search roles posted by Volunteer BC members by location, type and interest.
Volunteer centre · Charity
Across Metro Vancouver
Search roles near you by postal code. Run by the Volunteer Centre of Calgary, a charity.
Animal welfare · Charity
In Vancouver and Surrey
What volunteers do
Ages 12 to 15 must come with a parent or guardian, and ages 16 to 18 can go alone only at some centres. Pick a centre to see its roles.
City program · Public organization
In Burnaby
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Help with swimming lessons, summer camps, youth centres and festivals. Camps and youth programs take volunteers 14 and up.
Seniors' programs · Public organization
In Burnaby
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Weekly roles that help seniors: fill grocery orders in a store, make phone calls, visit or help at social events. Visits take 1 to 2 hours a week.
City program · Public organization
In Surrey
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Expect an interview and two references, which can take up to 6 weeks. Each program sets its own age; city-wide special events take ages 14 and up.
Thrift store · Charity
In Delta
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Sort, price and sell donations at the thrift shop in Ladner, or work 3-hour shifts with a partner at the hospital gift shop.
Newcomer services · Charity
In Surrey, Delta and Langley
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
For adults living in or near Surrey, Delta or Langley. Roles include community kitchen and grocery shopping help, events and seniors' programs.
Food bank · Charity
In Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Shifts start at 7am, and you must live in BC. Roles include sorting, building hampers, serving clients and warehouse work.
Food bank · Charity
In Burnaby and Vancouver
What volunteers do
Applications open in windows, so check the page. The criminal record check is free through the food bank. Reference letter after 80 hours.
Thrift store · Charity
In Burnaby and Langley
What volunteers do
Store roles need no experience and include greeting customers and ringing up sales. Warehouse roles are at the Burnaby store only.
Food bank · Charity
In North Vancouver and West Vancouver
What volunteers do
Help clients at the grocery depot, prepare lunches or work in the warehouse. Most volunteers give one shift a week for at least 3 months.
Newcomer services · Charity
In Vancouver, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Surrey and Richmond
What volunteers do
No experience needed, and every volunteer can get a reference. Give at least 3 hours a month for 3 months. Check the page for open roles.
Newcomer services · Charity
In Vancouver and Burnaby
What volunteers do
Help newcomers practise English or settle in. Under 16 needs a parent's consent. The criminal record check is free once you pass the interview.
Parks and environment · Charity
Across Metro Vancouver
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Join or lead a litter cleanup at a beach, river or lake on a date you pick. Online guides cover each step, and it suits friends or school groups.
Food bank · Charity
In Richmond
What volunteers do
Regular roles are one fixed weekly shift for at least 3 months. A 30-hour youth program for ages 15 to 18 ends with a certificate and a reference letter.
Newcomer services · Charity
In Vancouver
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Roles include event set-up, greeting visitors at service centres, and visits, rides and grocery shopping for seniors through Better at Home.
Food bank · Charity
In Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Anmore, Belcarra and New Westminster
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Food bank volunteers must be 19 or older and ideally stay 6 months. Help at events and fundraisers fits around your own schedule.
Sport and recreation · Charity
Across Metro Vancouver
What volunteers do
Help run sport programs for athletes with intellectual disabilities, from about an hour a week. Volunteers 16 and up need a police check.
Parks and environment · Charity
In Vancouver
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Remove invasive plants, host visitors at the Nature House or help at events. Ages 12 to 15 can join EcoStewards work parties with an adult.
Food bank · Charity
In Surrey
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Sort donations, stock shelves and welcome clients on regular shifts. Under 16, you can volunteer with a parent or guardian.
Library · Public organization
In Surrey
What volunteers do
Teens mentor young readers or join the Teen Library Council; adults tutor or deliver books. Teen programs take applications at set times.
Hospital · Public organization
In Surrey
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Under 18 needs a parent's consent, and some units are 20 and up. Plan on one shift a week, on the same day, for at least 6 months.
Meal program · Charity
In Vancouver and New Westminster
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
You can try one shift before you commit. Then apply with references, take an online orientation, get a criminal record check and have an interview.
Events and festivals · Non-profit
In Vancouver
What volunteers do
Builds skills for
Work about 15 hours over the July festival weekend, after an online orientation. There are no single-day roles. Perks include a weekend pass.
Volunteering
Can't give a weekly shift? Find one-day volunteer roles at festivals, races, food sorts and tree plantings, and learn how to make short shifts count.
Volunteering
What counts toward Ontario's 40 high school volunteer hours, what doesn't, tasks and minimum ages, getting approval, logging hours, and the Minister's Certificate.
Volunteering
Which police check a volunteer role needs, which checks are free in BC and Ontario, where to apply, the letter to bring, fingerprints, and how long it takes.
Ready for a paid job? Entry-level jobs in Metro Vancouver →
We are not part of these organizations. Roles, age limits and rules change, so read the organization's page before you apply.