One of the best parts about working in Nucleus, is the volunteers. Volunteers are the heart and soul of Nucleus, making a huge difference in how we support and advocate for our clients. They don’t just help us provide better services – we help them start their journey into the working world. It’s a win-win partnership for us.

What Volunteers Do at Nucleus

Volunteers are often the first people our clients meet. Whether they’re answering phones, helping out at quick advice sessions, or welcoming people at the reception desk, their kindness and empathy ensure that every client feels respected, valued, and heard from the start. They set the stage for the service that defines Nucleus.

Volunteers help triage clients cases, assessing the urgency of their issues and supporting with a case plan. With help and supervision from our team, they might take on cases themselves, empower the client to help themselves or pass them on to one of our specialist teams. This way, clients get the right support as quickly as possible.

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“Volunteering my experience at Nucleus exceeded my expectations. From the outset, Nucleus provides its volunteers with numerous responsibilities that promote personal growth. For instance, as a volunteer on drop-in days, I had the opportunity to interview a variety of clients from diverse ethnic and financial backgrounds, engage with the community in Kensington and Chelsea, and gain insights into their housing, benefits, and debt issues. This experience allowed me to better understand the housing and cost of living crises in London, which I now directly apply in my current role”, Ankit

A big part of their work is building trust with clients. Many people come to us feeling overwhelmed and stressed, buried under piles of paperwork and tough problems. Volunteers step in to help clients sort through it all, figure out what needs attention first, and find a way forward. By connecting with clients, they create a safe space where people feel supported and able to move toward solutions. This builds the foundation that our caseworkers are able to continue, delving into the solutions for our clients.

Volunteers work closely with our caseworkers. They step in to give extra time and attention to clients when needed, and in return, they learn a lot from our experts. This teamwork helps us provide better services overall and creates a really strong support network for everyone involved.

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What Volunteers Get Out of It

Volunteering at Nucleus isn’t just about giving back – it’s also about growing. For many, it’s a chance to build confidence and learn how to work with people. Dealing with clients, especially in tough situations, teaches valuable skills like empathy, problem-solving, and communication.

"During my time as a volunteer, I learned key practical skills such as communicating with clients, drafting formal correspondence and time management. These are all skills that I was able to talk about in job applications, which helped me secure my first paralegal role. I am extremely grateful for my time at the charity and will always look back on my time fondly." Dan

Our volunteers make a real difference in people’s lives, but they also walk away with new skills and insights that can help them in their own lives and careers. Whether they’re planning to work in law, social work, or something else, or just want to give back to the community, volunteering with Nucleus offers incredible opportunities to grow and learn.

"Volunteering at Nucleus has deepened my understanding of practical applications, providing valuable hands on experience in dealing with real life cases and client interactions. As a result, I have been able to develop my interpersonal skills, specifically, attention to detail, active listening, and clear communication. Being challenged with complex cases and being given the chance to manage these independently has honed my problem solving and organisational skills. It has helped me gain an insight on what areas of law I feel passionate about and want to pursue in my future career.”  Klara

“As a law student, I learned invaluable lessons in managing client expectations, prioritising their needs, and, most importantly, contributing to meaningful social causes that have a positive impact on the community. The mentorship and support I received at Nucleus have been instrumental in shaping me into a well-rounded, confident legal professional. Beyond being a workplace, the staff at Nucleus feltlike a family. As an international student in London, I will forever be grateful for how they made me feel at home. I will always be proud to have been part of Nucleus Legal Advice Centre.” Rashneel

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Anjeli is one of our long-term volunteers, supporting clients, staff and also new volunteers to develop and hone their skills. “I have been working at Nucleus as a volunteer for the past two years and I am thoroughly enjoying my experience.  The volunteering role has given me a newfound confidence in myself, as well as my knowledge in housing and welfare benefits law. I enjoy offering support to our clients and find it truly fulfilling to work amongst great colleagues who are striving to support clients at their most vulnerable.”

APartnership That Works

The relationship between Nucleus and our volunteers is a true win-win. Volunteers bring their dedication and compassion to help us provide the best support possible. In return, they get training, guidance, and the rewarding feeling of knowing they’ve made a real impact. In fact, many of our staff started out as volunteers.

We couldn’t do what we do without our amazing volunteers, and we’re committed to supporting and helping them grow. This partnership means our clients get top-notch support, and every step of their journey with us is filled with respect, care, and understanding.

At Nucleus, we love working with volunteers and support them every step of the way. We encourage our partners to do the same because it’s a win for everyone!