Skilled volunteering

A unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference while developing your own skills and networks.

Skilled volunteers bring real-world expertise that empowers social entrepreneurs to thrive. Volunteers help equip changemakers to build sustainable ventures that create positive social impact. This collaborative support accelerates the growth and resilience of entrepreneurs and strengthens communities and systems across the UK. Skilled volunteers play a vital role in advancing SSE’s mission to foster a more just and sustainable society by enabling social entrepreneurs to solve complex challenges and improve lives at scale.  

Download detailed volunteer pack

Apply

Benefits of skilled volunteering with SSE  

Volunteering with the School for Social Entrepreneurs offers you a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference while developing your own skills and networks. By contributing your expertise, you will:  

• Drive positive social impact: Use your professional expertise to support social entrepreneurs.
• Enhance your leadership and teamwork skills: Apply and develop your abilities in a real-world social enterprise setting.  
• Broaden your professional network: Engage with a diverse community of changemakers, fostering new connections beyond your usual workplace.  
• Boost your company’s social responsibility profile: Demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to social value and community engagement.  
• Flexible and manageable commitment: Choose roles and timeframes that fit around your work schedule.  

Volunteering with SSE offers a unique chance to give back, develop new skills, and bring fresh perspectives to your professional journey—all while helping create lasting social change.  

Opportunities we have for skilled volunteers  

• Expert - A professional working in a specific business area who designs and delivers tailored sessions for cohorts of entrepreneurs.
• Witness  – An individual who shares personal life experiences and real-world stories to inspire and inform a cohort of entrepreneurs.  
• Business Review Panel Member  – Part of a panel who review and provide feedback on business ideas and ventures.  
• Consultant Mentor  – A mentor matched to entrepreneurs based on specific skills and knowledge, providing targeted support.
• Mentor - Offers guidance by drawing on personal experience, helping entrepreneurs find their own solutions.
• Interviewer - Opportunity to assist with interviewing applicants for learning programmes.  
• Workshop Facilitator  – Designs, hosts, and delivers workshops or short courses on specific topics.
• Peer Coaching Facilitator  – A trained action learning facilitator who leads a series of peer coaching sessions within a programme.

What skills and experience we’re looking for   

•  Passionate about social enterprise and social entrepreneur development
• Excellent skill and knowledge base
• Presentation and facilitation skills
• Strong organisational and communication skills

How it works

1. Download and read the detailed volunteer pack.
2. Apply using the application form.
3. [Optional] Complete our diversity, equity and inclusion form. Once you complete the application form you will automatically be redirected to it.
4. We try to match you to an opportunity that you would be suitable for when either:
   1. an opportunity comes up and we search through applications for someone with matching skills.
      or
   2. quarterly we assess all applications and decide which we want to add to our pool of regular contributors.
5. We then will arrange a call to further assess the fit between yourself and opportunities to volunteer.
6. If we agree that it is a good fit, we will give you further details specific to the opportunity.

Apply