Member volunteers are integral to the work we do as an organisation, influencing and providing the foundations for the networks, outreach activities and support that we offer.
If you are interested in volunteering, there are a wide range of options available through our activities, and you can choose anything from helping with a one-off event to providing long-term support to a project, or to someone in our community. People volunteer for many different causes and reasons, from skills and career development to networking and advocating or simply because it’s fun.
The value of volunteers
For others
A membership community like ours, made up of over 50,000 people, can make a big difference – providing a strong network of support for the wider chemical sciences community, and positively influencing its future by inspiring the next generation.
For you
Volunteering is not just a great way to give back to your local community – it also helps you to stand out from the crowd professionally, whether you use it to gain experience, build new skills or meet people that will expand your personal network and support your own career.
Becoming a volunteer also helps when applying for or maintaining professional awards such as Chartered Chemist.
The volunteer was a great help to me and I found his thoughtful and friendly discussion very beneficial.
Download our Volunteer Principles to find out more about volunteering with the RSC.
Explore the different ways you can volunteer with us through your membership
Micro-volunteering
Short volunteering contributions that are often online
Short term or one off activities
Opportunities that don’t require long term commitment that are often discrete activities
Careers/PPD
Activities that can support you in your career development but also where you can provide support to other members
Science
Explore how you can give back to the chemical sciences
Location
How to find opportunities near to you
Shape the RSC
Take a look at some of the voluntary roles that help support and drive our strategy
Informing policy
Share your evidence and experiences to help us shape UK government policy
Get inspired
Members support the wider chemistry community in all sorts of ways. You can keep up with the latest stories on our community news pages.
Do you have a volunteering story of your own to share? If so, we would love to hear about it – contact our press office (pressoffice@rsc.org) to tell us more.
Get to know the community
For more about engaging with different groups and tips on sharing your love of chemistry more broadly, have a look at our Public Attitudes to Chemistry report and communication toolkit.
Volunteer queries
- Email:
- Send us an email
Useful forms and documents for RSC volunteers
Information and resources to assist our volunteers in meeting the responsibilities of their role.