Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham – Make a Difference and Build New Skills
Volunteering can be a meaningful way for veterans to stay connected with their community, use their existing skills and develop new experiences after military service.
Leaving the Armed Forces can bring significant changes to a person’s daily routine, career, social connections and sense of purpose. For some veterans, finding meaningful activities and opportunities to contribute to their community can help create a positive new routine.
For veterans living in County Durham and the wider North East, volunteering can provide opportunities to meet new people, support other veterans, and contribute to local community activities.
SMARTT Veterans CIC is a veteran-led organisation based in the North East of England supporting UK veterans and their families. The organisation provides support across areas including education and training, employment, mental health, housing, food poverty and community activities.
SMARTT Veterans also actively encourages people to volunteer and use their experience and skills to create positive change within the veteran community.
Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham | Why Is Volunteering Important for Veterans?
Volunteering can offer more than simply helping other people.
For veterans, it can provide an opportunity to:
- Stay connected with the community
- Meet new people
- Build new friendships
- Use existing military skills
- Develop new skills
- Improve confidence
- Gain practical experience
- Create a positive routine
- Support other veterans
- Contribute to local community activities
SMARTT Veterans highlights that volunteering can provide opportunities to learn valuable new skills, make new friendships and become part of a supportive group of people.
Can Veterans Use Their Military Skills Through Volunteering?
Absolutely.
Military service can provide veterans with valuable skills that can be useful in community organisations and charities.
These may include:
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Organisation
- Planning
- Training
- Problem-solving
- Mentoring
- Event management
- Working under pressure
- Responsibility
SMARTT Veterans specifically encourages volunteers to use their military experience, training and leadership abilities to support veteran-led programmes and strengthen local communities. Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham
Volunteering can therefore provide an opportunity to continue using these skills in a new civilian environment.
What Volunteering Opportunities Are Available at SMARTT Veterans?
SMARTT Veterans currently highlights several different types of volunteering opportunities.
These include event & community support, peer support & mentoring and skills-based volunteering.
1. Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: Event & Community Support
Community events are an important way of bringing veterans, families and the wider community together.
Volunteers can help with activities such as:
- Armed Forces Day events
- Setting up event areas
- Supporting information stalls
- Greeting attendees
- Helping with community activities
- Assisting with event organisation
SMARTT Veterans specifically mentions supporting events such as Armed Forces Day in Consett, where volunteers can help veterans, set up stalls and welcome attendees.
Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: For veterans who enjoy meeting people and being involved in community activities, event volunteering can be an excellent starting point.
2. Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: Peer Support & Mentoring
Veterans often understand experiences that other people may find difficult to relate to.
This can make peer support particularly valuable.
Volunteers may be able to help with:
- Social groups
- Veteran meetups
- Talks
- Breakfast clubs
- Walking football activities
- Community hubs
- Informal peer support
SMARTT Veterans lists peer support & mentoring as one of its volunteering areas and highlights activities such as talks, breakfasts, walking football and community hubs.
A veteran with relevant life or military experience may be able to use those experiences to encourage and support others.
3. Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: Skills-Based Volunteering
Not every volunteer needs to have previous charity experience.
People with professional or specialist skills can also contribute.
SMARTT Veterans identifies skills-based volunteering for people with abilities such as:
- Coaching
- Mentoring
- IT
- Training delivery
- Professional support
- Administration
- Communication
The organisation encourages people to use their individual abilities to contribute to veteran-led programmes and community initiatives.
This can be particularly useful for veterans who have developed specialist skills during military service or through their civilian careers.
How Can Volunteering Help Veterans Build Confidence?
Confidence can sometimes change during the transition from military to civilian life.
A veteran may have significant experience but feel uncertain about how that experience fits into a new environment.
Volunteering can provide a practical way to:
- Try new responsibilities
- Meet different people
- Develop communication skills
- Take part in team activities
- Gain experience outside the military
- Build confidence gradually
Unlike a traditional employment environment, volunteering can provide an opportunity to contribute while exploring different interests and abilities.
Can Volunteering Help Veterans Develop New Skills?
Yes. Volunteering can provide practical experience in areas such as:
Communication
Speaking with members of the public, volunteers and other veterans.
Leadership
Taking responsibility for activities or helping coordinate other volunteers.
Teamwork
Working alongside staff and other volunteers.
Event Management
Helping organise and deliver community events.
Mentoring
Supporting other people through shared experience.
Technology
Using IT systems and digital tools to support community programmes.
Training
Helping deliver activities or educational sessions where appropriate.
These skills can also become useful when applying for civilian employment.
Can Volunteering Help Veterans Find Employment?
Volunteering does not guarantee employment, but it can provide useful experience.
For veterans transitioning into civilian employment, volunteering may help demonstrate:
- Commitment
- Responsibility
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Leadership
- Initiative
- Community involvement
- New practical skills
Volunteering experience can also give veterans additional examples to discuss during job interviews.
For someone changing careers, it may provide an opportunity to gain experience in an unfamiliar sector.
Employment Support for Veterans in County Durham
Volunteering and the Transition From Military to Civilian Life
The transition to civilian life can involve more than finding employment.
Veterans may also need to develop:
- New routines
- New friendships
- New professional networks
- New interests
- New community connections
- A new sense of purpose
Volunteering can contribute to several of these areas at the same time.
It can provide structure while allowing veterans to remain active and connected.
Volunteering Can Help Build Stronger Veteran Communities
Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: Veteran communities can become stronger when people contribute their time, experience and skills.
A veteran who volunteers can potentially help another veteran feel more connected.
This can create a positive cycle:
Veteran Volunteers
↓
Share Skills & Experience
↓
Support Other Veterans
↓
Build Community Connections
↓
Create More Opportunities
↓
Stronger Veteran Community
SMARTT Veterans’ volunteering programme is based around this idea of using people’s abilities and experiences to create positive change.
Volunteering at Community Events in County Durham
County Durham has a significant veteran community.
SMARTT Veterans reports that the county had an estimated 22,615 veterans, representing 5.2% of its population according to 2021 Census data.
This creates an important opportunity for veterans to become involved in local community activities.
Events such as Armed Forces Day can provide opportunities for volunteers to help organise activities, welcome visitors and support the wider Armed Forces community.
SMARTT Veterans specifically highlights Armed Forces Day in Consett as an example of where volunteers can provide event and community support.
Volunteering and Veteran Community Activities
SMARTT Veterans supports several community-focused activities that can involve opportunities for connection and participation.
These include:
- Armed Forces Day
- Consett Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club
- Walking Football
- Community events
- Veteran social activities
Its Walking Football programme provides weekly sessions at Consett FC and combines physical activity with social connection and community engagement.
How Volunteering Can Support Other Veterans
Veterans can bring unique experiences to community support.
For example, someone who has successfully transitioned into civilian employment may be able to encourage another veteran who is starting that journey.
Someone with leadership experience may be able to help coordinate activities.
Someone with coaching experience may help with physical activities.
Someone with IT skills may help a charity improve its digital work.
The important thing is that different skills can contribute in different ways.
Who Can Volunteer With SMARTT Veterans?
Volunteering opportunities can be suitable for people with different backgrounds and abilities.
You may be interested in volunteering if you are:
- A veteran
- A serving member of the Armed Forces
- A family member
- A professional with useful skills
- Someone interested in supporting veterans
- Someone who enjoys community activities
- Someone looking to gain experience
- Someone wanting to give back to the Armed Forces community
The most appropriate volunteering role will depend on your skills, interests and availability.
SMARTT Veterans encourages people interested in specific volunteering roles to contact the organisation for current opportunities.
Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: What Are the Benefits of Volunteering?
Volunteering can provide benefits for both the community and the volunteer.
These may include:
For the Community
- Additional support for events
- More opportunities for veteran programmes
- Stronger community connections
- More peer support
- Greater awareness of veteran issues
For Volunteers
- New skills
- New friendships
- Practical experience
- Increased confidence
- A sense of purpose
- Community involvement
- Opportunities to use existing skills
Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: SMARTT Veterans describes volunteering as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference while learning skills and becoming part of a community.
Volunteering, Mental Wellbeing and Social Connection
Social connection can be an important part of life after military service.
Volunteering can provide opportunities to spend time with other people, work towards a shared goal and participate in meaningful activities.
For some veterans, having a regular activity can also help create structure and encourage community participation.
Volunteering should not be considered a replacement for professional mental health support, but it can be one part of a wider wellbeing and community routine.
Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: How to Get Involved With SMARTT Veterans
If you are interested in volunteering with SMARTT Veterans, the organisation encourages people to get in touch to discuss current opportunities.
The volunteering page highlights three main areas:
Event & Community Support
Help with events and community activities.
Peer Support & Mentoring
Help with social groups, meetups and veteran activities.
Skills-Based Volunteering
Use professional skills such as coaching, mentoring, IT or training delivery.
For current volunteering opportunities, SMARTT Veterans provides the following contact details:
Email: info@smarttveterans.org
Phone: 01207 588886
Mobile: 07592 628674
Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: Frequently Asked Questions About Veteran Volunteering
Are there volunteering opportunities for veterans in County Durham?
Yes. SMARTT Veterans provides volunteering opportunities connected with events, community activities, peer support, mentoring and specialist skills.
Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: Can veterans volunteer at Armed Forces Day events?
Yes. SMARTT Veterans specifically mentions supporting events such as Armed Forces Day in Consett, including setting up stalls and greeting attendees.
Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: What is peer support volunteering?
Peer support volunteering involves using personal experience to help create supportive environments for other veterans. SMARTT Veterans includes social groups, breakfasts, talks, walking football and community hubs among its peer-support activities.
Volunteering opportunities for veterans in Durham: Can I volunteer if I have professional skills?
Yes. SMARTT Veterans highlights skills-based volunteering for people with abilities such as coaching, mentoring, IT and training delivery.
Can volunteering help veterans develop employment skills?
Volunteering can provide practical experience in areas such as teamwork, communication, organisation, leadership and responsibility. These skills can potentially support a veteran’s wider employability.
Can volunteering help veterans meet other people?
Yes. Volunteering can provide opportunities to meet other volunteers, veterans and members of the local community. SMARTT Veterans highlights friendship and community connection as benefits of volunteering.
How do I find out about current volunteering opportunities?
SMARTT Veterans recommends contacting the organisation for details about specific current volunteering roles. Their volunteering page lists info@smarttveterans.org, 01207 588886 and 07592 628674.
Make a Difference Through Volunteering
Your experience matters.
Whether you have military experience, professional skills, community experience or simply want to help others, volunteering can provide an opportunity to contribute to the Armed Forces community.
From helping at events and supporting veteran activities to mentoring others and sharing professional skills, there are different ways to get involved.
If you are based in County Durham or the wider North East, consider exploring volunteering opportunities with SMARTT Veterans.
Together, we can support veterans, strengthen communities and create meaningful opportunities for those who have served. 
