1. When do you recruit?
2. What is the time commitment?
3. Are all of your internships in London?
4. Who can apply?
5. I am from outside the EEC. Can I volunteer?
6. Do you accept speculative applications?
7. How do I apply?
8. Can I apply to more than one internship?
9. What is involved in the assessment process?
10. Will I get paid?
11. What training or skills development courses do you offer?
12. Will you provide me with a reference?
13. What about full employment? Will I be offered a job?
14. What are some of the areas I can volunteer in?
15. What is unique about the British Red Cross internship scheme?
16. I am interested in volunteering abroad. What do you offer?
The Red Cross recruits interns throughout the year on a rolling basis. There are more opportunities available during the summer, but we host a continual stream of internships during every month of the year.
This varies by internship, but generally most internships are for 8-12 weeks with a usual standard of 3 days per week. Some internships are for 2 days or 4 days per week – to check the specifics of an internship please read the role description. Where possible we try to be flexible about the days worked so interns can fit them in with other commitments.
No! We are very proud of offering not only a vast selection of internships at our head Office in Moorgate and in our London regional offices, but also of having offering placements based in our offices and centres right across the UK. In 2009 around 65% of our internships were based outside our head office.
We welcome applications from people of all ages and backgrounds. The specific criteria of roles will vary, but in general the following minimum criteria is required:
- Be 18 Years or older
- Basic computer skills
- An interest in working in the voluntary sector
- Fluent written and spoken business English
Interns must be resident in the UK for the duration of their internship.
If you are from outside the EEC you will need a valid visa which allows for volunteering in the UK, such as students on a degree programme, dependents of work visa holders and so on. For certain countries you are allowed to volunteer in the UK without requiring a visa if you are allowed visa free access with your country’s passport. Specific rules will vary according to nationality. It is the individual’s responsibility to check whether they are legally allowed to volunteer with us.
We are unable to support visas or help with arranging accommodation.
Please do not send us speculative applications as they will not be considered. We offer internships in a wide range of departments across the organisation – check the website regularly to see if new internships have been posted. You can sign up for email alerts for when a new role has been posted.
Please apply using the online application system. CVs and covering letters mailed to us will not be considered. On the online system you will be asked to enter your details and fill in a supporting statement. You will be given the option to upload a CV, covering letter, reference or any other supporting document you feel are relevant.
Yes! There is no restriction on the number of internships you can apply to at one time. The only requirement is that you must fill in separate applications and supporting statements for each. Note, however, that changing your personal details on one application will change it on all applications, this includes document uploads but not the supporting statement for specific roles.
After we receive your internship application we will short-list and send out emails inviting successful applicants to an interview to assess competencies and skills as required for the role. We will then generally call you to inform you whether or not you have been selected. If you are unsuccessful you will receive an email within 2 weeks of the closing date informing you.
All internships are voluntary positions, however we will cover reasonable travel expenses and lunch expenses (up to £5 per day).
As an intern you will have access to CV and interview skills training courses. You will also have access to our internal training courses, some of which lead to certifications.
All interns will receive a reference upon completion of their internship.
Generally, internships will not lead to job offers. However, as an intern you will have access to our internal jobs list.
Internships have been held in the following departments:
- Communications
- Humanitarian Education
- International Finance
- Emergency Response
- Fundraising
- Human Resources
- Youth Engagement
- International Tracing and Message Services (ITMS)
- And many more!
We offer a decisive mix of flexibility and structure. Many other charities offer highly structured schemes that run in cycles throughout the year or only during the summer, while others only offer positions on an inconsistent or ad hoc basis. The Red Cross posts positions regularly throughout the year that are subjected to consistent quality control to ensure a high level of experience is offered to all interns.
All of our internship opportunities are based in the UK. If you are interested in volunteering abroad with the Red Cross please contact the relevant country’s national Red Cross society (e.g. Spanish Red Cross, etc).