Apply to Become a Community Volunteer for PASDO'S PESP Programme.
The Community Volunteer for PASDO's PESP Programme is a stipend-paid volunteering opportunity in the United Kingdom open to UK nationals, international students, foreigners and immigrants from various countries including India, China, Nigeria, United States, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Africa and Asia
Volunteer Assignment Details
Status: Open
Assignment category: Community Outreach
Length of assignment: 4 weeks
Mode of engagement: Remote, based within your local community
Working hours: Flexible. Evenings, weekends, part time, or full time depending on availability
This role is suitable for individuals who want to make practical impact within their own communities while gaining valuable experience in outreach and nonprofit programme delivery.
About the Productivity Enhancement for Small Businesses and Professionals (PESP) Programme
The Productivity Enhancement for Small Businesses and Professionals (PESP) Programme is a grant-funded subsidy initiative in the United Kingdom managed by PASDO to support small businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs, educators, health workers, and selected essential professionals by reducing operational barriers and workloads pressures that they face while promoting digital inclusion and local economic growth.
Through this PESP programme, PASDO manages a Digital Inclusion Grant that provides up to 40 percent subsidy on qualifying virtual staffing support and digital services delivered by approved service providers across the UK.
The programme focuses on:
Helping new businesses to take off successfully and supporting existing small businesses to grow sustainably so that they can create and retain jobs
Encouraging entrepreneurship and self employment
Supporting educators and essential professionals by reducing workload pressure
Improving digital inclusion for small businesses and community based professionals
Strengthening local economies through practical, community driven support
How the Subsidy Works
PASDO partners with approved service providers across different locations in the United Kingdom who deliver qualifying productivity and digital services.
Once accepted as a Community Volunteer, you will be informed of the specific service provider covering your location and which of their services are eligible for our subsidy grant.
Eligible businesses or individuals (applicants) who wish to access the grant are guided to check the website of the assigned service provider to identify what specific services the applicants are be interested in.
After identifying the service they are interested in, the applicants use a prescribed form on PASDO;s website to apply for a subsidy grant for that service, supplying all necessary information regarding the service including its URL.
If the application is granted, the following happens:
- A grant subsidy grant approval email is sent to the applicant informing them of the approval (with a copy sent to the Community Volunteer for record keeping),
- An order is placed for that service by PASDO on the service provider’s website, ensuring that the final cost of the service is actually reduced to reflect the subsidy granted to the applicant, and
- An email is sent to the applicant by the service provider with invoice of the new order.
The applicant is allowed up to 48 hours to pay the reduced cost to the service provider in order to secure the subsidy. All subsidized orders are set to expire after 48 hours if they are not claimed so as to allow us reallocate the subsidy to other applicants on the waiting list.
If the subsidised service is one that is renewable on a monthly basis, the subsidy can last for up to six months, provided the beneficiary continues to make consistent and appropriate use of the service. After the six months, beneficiaries may apply for extension of the subsidy grant, which, if approved, can entitle the applicant to another six months of such service at a lower subsidised rate.
Due to limited funding, there is a monthly cap on the number of new subsidies that can be approved. Hence, subsidies are allocated on a first come, first served basis each month.
Beneficiaries who voluntarily opt out or lose access due to underutilisation may not re-join the programme for a minimum period of two years.
The Role of Community Volunteers
As a Community Volunteer, you will act as a local program representative, helping eligible individuals and small businesses in your community to understand and access the available subsidies.
This role is community-focused, practical, and impact-driven.
Key Responsibilities and Tasks You Will Handle as a Community Volunteer
As a Community Volunteer, you will:
Engage small businesses, schools, clinics, and other workplaces within your community
Identify eligible small businesses, aspiring entrepreneurs, educators, health workers, and essential professionals
Educate them about the PESP Programme and available subsidies
Guide interested beneficiaries to sign up online with the relevant service provider
Assist them to apply the correct subsidy code during signup
Track completed signups and report progress through PASDO’s online system
Outreach may be done through street level engagement, visits to offices and shops, and responsible use of social media and community networks.
Skills and Experience You Will Gain as a Volunteer
Volunteers will develop practical, transferable skills including:
Community engagement and outreach
Professional communication and persuasion
Program coordination and reporting
Understanding of small business challenges and support systems
Experience working with a structured nonprofit programme
Volunteers who complete their assignment satisfactorily will receive a Certificate of Volunteering from PASDO.
Paid Stipend and Support
This volunteer opportunity includes provision for payment of a modest support stipend to assist volunteers with transport and related outreach expenses.
To ensure transparency and accountability, the stipend is capped at £20 for each successful subsidy that a volunteer helps an eligible business or individual to access.
How to Apply
To apply to become a Community Volunteer for PASDO’s Productivity Enhancement for Small Businesses and Professionals (PESP) Programme, please click the Apply button below and complete the application form.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to programme funding and regional needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a paid job?
No.
This is a volunteer role, not employment. Any stipend provided is solely to support volunteer-related expenses.
Can I apply if I live in the UK?
Yes.
If you are living and present anywhere in the UK and are willing to engage with people in your community, you may apply.
Can international students in the UK apply for this volunteer opportunity?
Yes. International students living in the UK are welcome to apply for this Community Volunteer role.
Does this volunteer opportunity count toward the 20-hour work limit for international students?
No. This is not a job or paid employment.
Community Volunteers do not receive wages or salaries. Any money provided is a modest stipend strictly to support transport and volunteer-related expenses, not payment for work or hours.
Volunteers are responsible for checking that their visa conditions allow volunteering activities in the UK.
Can visitors to the UK apply for this volunteer opportunity?
Yes. This is a volunteer role, not employment.
Visitors to the UK may apply if their visa permits them to engage in volunteering.
When and how are stipends paid?
Stipends are paid out at the end of the assignment to support volunteer-related expenses.
Stipends will be paid out via PayPal. Volunteers who are visitors or have foreign bank accounts may be allowed to receive their stipends to their foreign bank accounts via international wire from another international branch of PASDO with such international transfer system, provided that the volunteers are willing to wait for up to 7 business days and also willing to bear the associated fees (1% + £30) of the international transfer.
What is the duration of the volunteer assignment?
Each volunteer assignment lasts four weeks (one month).
How long does it take to review volunteer applications?
Volunteer applications are usually reviewed within two weeks.
Due to the volume of applications received, only shortlisted applicants may be contacted. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of submitting your application, you may assume that your application was not successful for that application cycle.
Is there a limit to how many individuals or businesses I can support as a volunteer?
Yes. To ensure that the programme remains manageable and that support can be delivered effectively, volunteers are initially approved to support a limited number of individuals or businesses to access the subsidy.
Once a volunteer has supported the approved number, they may request permission to support additional participants, subject to programme capacity and availability.
Locations Where this Volunteer Opportunity Applies
England
Greater London
This volunteer opportunity is open to individuals living across the Greater London area, including the City of London, Westminster, Camden, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich, Croydon, Richmond, Barnet, Ealing, and Wandsworth. Volunteers in these areas can apply to support small businesses and professionals within their local communities.
Greater Manchester
You can apply for this volunteer opportunity if you live in Greater Manchester, including Manchester, Salford, Stockport, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan. The programme is suitable for residents who are willing to engage local businesses and professionals across these towns and boroughs.
West Midlands
This volunteer opportunity is suitable for residents of the West Midlands, including Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, and Wolverhampton. Volunteers based in these locations can participate in community outreach and support activities across the region.
West Yorkshire
Individuals living in West Yorkshire, including Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Kirklees, and Calderdale, are eligible to apply for this volunteer opportunity. The programme is designed to support local economic activity and small enterprises across these areas.
South Yorkshire
This volunteer opportunity is open to applicants residing in South Yorkshire, including Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster, and Barnsley. Volunteers in these locations can engage directly with small businesses and professionals within their communities.
Merseyside
Residents of Merseyside can apply for this volunteer opportunity, including those living in Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, St Helens, and Knowsley. The programme supports community-based outreach and engagement across these areas.
Tyne and Wear
This volunteer opportunity is suitable for individuals living in Tyne and Wear, including Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, North Tyneside, and South Tyneside. Volunteers in these locations can support eligible individuals and businesses within their local environments.
Bristol, Nottingham, Leicester, Southampton, Portsmouth, Brighton, Reading, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, York and other cities Across England
You can also apply for this volunteer opportunity if you live in other major cities across England, including Bristol, Nottingham, Leicester, Southampton, Portsmouth, Brighton, Reading, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Cambridge, Bath, and York. The programme is open to volunteers across these cities and surrounding areas who are willing to engage their local communities.
Scotland
Central Belt
This volunteer opportunity is open to individuals living across Scotland’s Central Belt, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stirling, and Falkirk. Volunteers in these areas can apply to support small businesses and professionals within their local communities.
Glasgow
You can apply for this volunteer opportunity if you live in Glasgow or the surrounding areas. The programme is suitable for residents who are willing to engage small businesses and professionals across the wider Glasgow area.
Edinburgh
This volunteer opportunity is suitable for individuals living in Edinburgh. Volunteers based in Scotland’s capital can support local businesses, educators, and professionals within their communities.
Aberdeen
Residents of Aberdeen can apply for this volunteer opportunity. The programme is open to individuals willing to engage small businesses and professionals across the city and surrounding areas.
Dundee, Perth, Inverness, and Other Cities
This volunteer opportunity is also open to individuals living in other parts of Scotland, including Dundee, Perth, and Inverness. Volunteers in these cities and surrounding areas are welcome to apply and support community-focused outreach activities across Scotland.
Wales
South Wales: Cardiff, Swansea, Newport
This volunteer opportunity is suitable for individuals living across South Wales, including Cardiff, Swansea, and Newport. Volunteers in these areas can apply to support small businesses and professionals within their local communities.
Cardiff
You can apply for this volunteer opportunity if you live in Cardiff. The programme is suitable for individuals willing to engage small businesses, educators, and professionals across Wales’ capital city.
Swansea
This volunteer opportunity is open to individuals living in Swansea. Volunteers based in Swansea can support local businesses and professionals across the city and surrounding coastal communities.
Newport
Residents of Newport can apply for this volunteer opportunity. The programme is suitable for individuals willing to engage small businesses and professionals across this key South Wales commercial centre.
North Wales
This volunteer opportunity is also open to individuals living across North Wales, including Wrexham and Bangor. Volunteers in these areas are welcome to apply and support community-focused outreach activities across North Wales.
Northern Ireland
Belfast
This volunteer opportunity is suitable for individuals living in Belfast. Volunteers based in Northern Ireland’s capital can apply to support small businesses, educators, and professionals across Belfast’s commercial and service-oriented communities.
Derry/Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry, Armagh
You can apply for this volunteer opportunity if you live in Derry/Londonderry, Lisburn, Newry, or Armagh. The programme is suitable for individuals willing to engage small businesses and professionals across Northern Ireland’s key towns and regional commercial centres, including border and cross-community areas.
Volunteer Opportunity Suitable for UK Locals, International Students Seeking UK Work Experience, Foreigners and Immigrant from India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan, United States, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Africa and Other Countries
This volunteer opportunity is designed to be inclusive and practical. It is ideal for people who live in the UK and are willing to engage directly with their local communities by speaking to small businesses and professionals about support opportunities available through PASDO’s PESP Programme.
It is suitable for various groups of people, including but nor limited to:
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Volunteering Opportunity Suitable for UK Locals
This volunteer opportunity is open to UK locals who want to support small businesses, educators, and essential professionals in their local areas. UK citizens and residents can gain recognised charity or nonprofit volunteering experience, develop outreach and communication skills, and contribute directly to local economic growth and community development in the UK.
Paid Volunteer Opportunity in the UK for International Students Seeking UK Work Experience
This volunteer opportunity is particularly suitable for international students in the UK who are looking to gain practical UK work experience alongside their studies.
It allows students to:
Build UK-based experience in community outreach and programme coordination
Improve communication and professional confidence
While this is a volunteer role, a modest stipend is provided per successful onboarding to support transport and basic volunteering costs, making it more accessible for students.
Paid UK Volunteer Opportunity Suitable for Foreigners and Immigrants from India
Foreigners and immigrants from India living in the UK can apply for this paid volunteer opportunity to gain UK community outreach work experience, support local businesses and professionals in the UK.
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This paid volunteer role is suitable for foreigners and immigrants from China residing in the UK who are interested in community based volunteering, local outreach, and supporting economic and social development initiatives in UK communities.
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Nigerian immigrants in the UK, including students and working professionals, can engage in this paid volunteer opportunity to gain UK work experience, build community connections, and support small businesses and educators within their local areas.
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Foreigners and immigrants from Pakistan living in the UK who are searching for meaningful paid volunteer opportunities can participate in this programme, supporting local businesses and essential professionals while gaining recognised UK work experience.
Paid UK Volunteer Opportunity for Foreigners and Immigrants from United States, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Africa and Other Countries
Foreigners and immigrants from the United States, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Africa and other countries residing in the UK are welcome to apply for this paid volunteer opportunity. PASDO encourages diverse community participation to ensure inclusive access to volunteer opportunities and local development support across the UK.