Get Involved
Your skills, experience and ideas can make a difference here.
There are many ways to be part of UFIP. Volunteer your time, develop new skills, share your experience, support our work, build a partnership or take on greater responsibility within the community.
However you begin, we want involvement with UFIP to create opportunities for connection, learning, contribution and growth — for you and for the communities we serve.
There are many ways to make a meaningful difference
Getting involved with UFIP can mean giving your time, developing skills, sharing experience, building partnerships, supporting our work or taking on greater responsibility in the community.
Volunteer With UFIP
Support programmes, events, outreach and everyday community activity while contributing your time, skills, experience and energy.
Explore VolunteeringDevelop Your Skills
Gain practical experience through creative media, digital skills, events, employability, community work and hands-on volunteering.
Explore Development OpportunitiesPartner With UFIP
Collaborate through referrals, research, programme delivery, community engagement, skills-sharing, sponsorship or other partnership opportunities.
Start a PartnershipSupport Our Work
Donate, fundraise, sponsor an activity, give useful items or help sustain the programmes, people and community infrastructure that make UFIP’s work possible.
See Ways to Support UFIPShare Your Voice
Take part in research, community conversations, storytelling and consultation where lived experience and community knowledge can help shape what happens next.
Explore Community ParticipationContribute & Lead
Take on greater responsibility, help shape activities, support others and develop the confidence and experience to grow into community leadership.
See How You Can Grow
Bring what you know. Learn something new. Grow through experience.
Volunteers are central to life at UFIP. They help welcome people, support programmes, share skills, create media, strengthen events and contribute to the warm, community-led atmosphere that defines our work.
Volunteering with UFIP is also an opportunity to develop. Through practical experience, guidance, mentoring and training, volunteers can build confidence, strengthen their CV, develop new skills and take on greater responsibility over time.
Your involvement can grow with you.
Volunteers may begin by supporting an activity and later take on responsibility for event coordination, media coverage, community outreach, peer support or elements of programme delivery. Where appropriate, UFIP creates opportunities for volunteers to develop confidence, mentor others and grow into community leadership.
Volunteer roles are matched to appropriate responsibilities, induction and safeguarding requirements. Roles involving children or protected adults are subject to relevant checks, procedures and disclosure requirements. UFIP is enrolled with Volunteer Scotland Disclosure Services.
Give your time. Build something for yourself too.
We believe volunteering should be a meaningful two-way experience. As you contribute to UFIP and the wider community, we aim to create opportunities for you to develop confidence, skills, relationships and practical experience that you can carry forward.
Practical Experience
Gain hands-on experience through real programmes, events, community activities, creative projects and organisational work.
New Skills
Develop digital, creative, communication, organisation, employability and community-facing skills through training and learning by doing.
Confidence
Build confidence by trying new things, contributing ideas, meeting people and seeing the difference your contribution can make.
Connection & Networks
Meet people from different backgrounds, build supportive relationships and become part of a wider network of volunteers, organisations and community members.
Employability & Progression
Strengthen your CV, develop examples of practical experience and build skills that may support future employment, education, training or other volunteering opportunities.
Leadership
As your experience develops, there may be opportunities to take responsibility, support others, contribute to programme delivery and grow into community leadership.
Everyone’s journey is different. There is no expectation that every volunteer will follow the same path, but we want people to have room to grow if they choose to.
Strong partnerships can create deeper and more lasting community change
UFIP works with charities, schools, universities, businesses, public bodies, funders and community organisations that share our commitment to inclusion, opportunity, racial justice, community voice and locally led change.
A partnership might begin with a referral, event or workshop and grow into research, employee volunteering, shared learning, professional skills support, sponsorship, programme delivery or longer-term collaboration.
We are particularly interested in partnerships that recognise community knowledge, create meaningful opportunities for people to participate and strengthen the capacity of communities to contribute and lead.
Your support helps keep opportunity, connection and practical help within reach
Every contribution strengthens UFIP’s ability to respond to community needs. Your support helps us deliver programmes, provide practical assistance, develop volunteers and keep the Unity Hub active as a welcoming community space.
Make a secure donation
Whether you give once or choose to support us regularly, your donation helps sustain the practical work behind UFIP — from community programmes and essential supplies to volunteer development and the running of the Unity Hub.
Glasgow Community Lottery
Support UFIP through the Glasgow Community Lottery. When you purchase a ticket through our page, part of the ticket price supports our charitable work while you are entered into the weekly draw.
It is a simple way to provide ongoing unrestricted support for the work we do with communities.
Support UFIP Through the LotteryGive Goods, Resources or Expertise
Support does not always have to be financial. Depending on current needs, UFIP may welcome suitable food, good-quality clothing, programme materials, equipment, professional expertise or other practical contributions.
Donations may support our food provision, clothes bank, community programmes or the Unity Hub. Please contact us before bringing items so we can confirm what is currently needed and what we are able to accept.
Ask What We Currently NeedFundraise, sponsor or support a community initiative
Individuals, businesses, groups and organisations can also organise a fundraiser, sponsor an activity, provide professional support or help us meet a specific community need.
Please contact us before publishing fundraising materials, collecting money or using the UFIP name or logo. We can discuss your idea, help ensure it is appropriate and agree how funds will be collected and transferred.
Share Your Fundraising IdeaStand with us on the issues that matter
From challenging racism to responding to emerging community needs, UFIP creates practical opportunities for people to take action, show solidarity and help strengthen more inclusive communities.
Featured Campaign
Wear your values. Challenge racism. Build visible solidarity.
Unity Against Racism invites individuals, schools, organisations and businesses to make their commitment to racial justice visible, challenge discrimination and help create safer, more welcoming communities.
The campaign encourages everyday allyship, conversation and practical action while creating opportunities for people and organisations to stand publicly against racism.
Share your expertise, experience or leadership
From time to time, UFIP works with people who bring specialist knowledge, professional experience, creative practice, research expertise or strategic leadership that can strengthen our organisation and the communities we serve.
Trustees & Governance
When trustee vacancies arise, we may seek people with lived experience, strategic insight or relevant professional skills who can contribute to UFIP’s governance and long-term direction.
Mentors & Trainers
Experienced practitioners may support employability, digital learning, confidence-building, leadership, media, business and other practical learning opportunities.
Creative Practitioners
Filmmakers, photographers, artists, storytellers, producers and facilitators may contribute to film, media, heritage and cultural programmes.
Researchers & Evaluators
Researchers and evaluators may collaborate with UFIP on participatory research, community-led inquiry, evaluation, knowledge exchange and learning.
Advisers & Professional Volunteers
Appropriate legal, financial, marketing, HR, safeguarding, communications, technology and organisational expertise can help strengthen UFIP’s capacity and development.
Sessional & Freelance Opportunities
Paid sessional or freelance opportunities may occasionally arise for experienced facilitators, trainers, creatives and programme specialists when funded work requires additional expertise.
Opportunities are advertised when available
UFIP does not recruit continuously for every role listed above. Trustee, paid and freelance opportunities will be advertised when vacancies arise. Expressions of interest for voluntary specialist contributions are also welcome.
Your contribution becomes practical support, opportunity and community-led change
Every hour volunteered, donation made, partnership developed, skill shared and campaign supported helps UFIP create opportunities for people to connect, develop, contribute and thrive.
Food & Essential Support
Support helps us provide food, clothing, everyday essentials, shared meals and practical assistance for individuals and families experiencing hardship.
Children, Young People & Families
Contributions help create safe activities, creative learning, family programmes, confidence-building opportunities and positive experiences for children and young people.
Wellbeing, Recovery & Connection
Support creates welcoming spaces where people can reduce isolation, strengthen wellbeing, build supportive relationships and access recovery-informed and peer-led opportunities.
Skills, Employability & Leadership
Volunteers, partners and funding help people develop digital confidence, employability skills, practical experience and pathways into greater responsibility and leadership.
Community Voice & Research
Your support helps create opportunities for lived experience, community knowledge and local priorities to contribute to research, storytelling, programmes and wider conversations.
A Stronger Unity Hub
Support helps sustain the community infrastructure behind our work — a welcoming place for programmes, volunteering, training, creativity, research, meetings and community connection.
Support for UFIP does more than fund individual activities. It helps create the conditions in which people can move from receiving support to participating, developing skills, contributing their knowledge and taking a more active role in community life.
Questions about volunteering, giving and getting involved
These answers cover some of the most common questions about getting involved with UFIP. Contact our team if you would like to discuss a particular opportunity, role or contribution.
Do I need previous experience to volunteer?
Not always. Some roles require particular skills or experience, but many opportunities are suitable for people who are willing to learn, complete an introduction or induction and follow UFIP’s policies and guidance.
How much time do I need to give?
This depends on the opportunity. Some roles involve regular sessions, while others may relate to one-off events, short-term programmes, creative projects or occasional specialist support. We will explain the expected commitment before you agree to a role.
Can asylum seekers and refugees volunteer with UFIP?
Yes. UFIP welcomes volunteering enquiries from refugees, people seeking asylum and people from different migration backgrounds.
People seeking asylum are generally permitted to undertake genuine unpaid volunteering for charitable organisations while their asylum claim is being considered. Individual roles must still meet UFIP’s normal safeguarding, suitability and role requirements.
Will I need PVG scheme membership?
It depends on the role. In Scotland, certain paid and unpaid positions involving children or protected adults are classed as regulated roles and require membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme.
UFIP will assess the responsibilities of each role and explain whether PVG membership or another safeguarding requirement applies before you begin.
Does UFIP reimburse volunteer expenses?
Expense arrangements depend on the role, programme and available funding. Where expenses are available, eligible costs and the approval process will be explained in advance.
Will I receive training or support?
This depends on the role, but UFIP aims to provide appropriate induction, guidance and practical support. Some opportunities also include training, mentoring or hands-on learning in areas such as creative media, digital skills, events and community engagement.
Can volunteering help me develop skills or experience?
Yes. Many UFIP volunteering opportunities allow people to build practical experience, strengthen confidence, develop new skills and create examples of experience that may support future employment, education, training or community leadership.
Can my company or organisation support UFIP?
Yes. Organisations can work with UFIP through programme sponsorship, employee volunteering, professional expertise, donated services or equipment, research, referrals and broader community partnerships.
Contact us to discuss the type of contribution or partnership that would be most appropriate.
Can I organise my own fundraiser for UFIP?
Yes, but please contact UFIP before publishing fundraising materials, using our name or logo or collecting money publicly. We can discuss your idea, confirm that it is appropriate and agree how funds should be collected and transferred.
Does UFIP accept donated food, clothing or other items?
Sometimes. Depending on current needs and available storage, UFIP may be able to accept suitable food, good-quality clothing, programme materials, equipment or other useful items.
Please contact us before bringing donations so we can confirm what is currently needed and what we are able to accept safely.
How are donations to UFIP used?
Unrestricted donations may support programme delivery, practical assistance, food and materials, volunteer development, equipment, community activities and the costs of sustaining the Unity Hub and UFIP’s wider charitable work.
Where a donation has been accepted for a specific restricted appeal or purpose, it will be used in accordance with that restriction.
Can I offer professional or specialist expertise?
Yes. We welcome appropriate expressions of interest from professionals, researchers, trainers, creatives and other specialists who may be able to strengthen UFIP’s programmes, organisational capacity or community work.
Opportunities depend on current needs, projects and capacity, so please contact us before offering a particular service.
However you begin, there is a place for your contribution at UFIP.
Volunteer your time, develop your skills, share your experience, support our work, join a campaign or build a partnership with us. Every contribution can help create stronger connections, greater opportunity and more community-led change.