Make a difference whilst gaining valuable skills and experience by volunteering for one of our internships
Volunteer internships at NAT
Internships at NAT are longer term volunteer positions, usually undertaken for three days per week for a maximum of three months. These voluntary positions offer the opportunity to gain meaningful hands on experience in areas such as policy, fundraising or communications. NAT refunds agreed travel expenses (up to £250 per month) and pays for lunch (up to £3.50 per day).
Visit our vacancies pages for details of any current intern opportunities.
Volunteers undertaking internships at NAT are still able to claim benefits such as Job Seekers Allowance and Housing Benefit, so long as eligibility requirements for these benefits continue to be met (more information can be provided on request).
If you're a university or other organisation which places interns and want to find out about opportunities at NAT then please get in touch with us: admin.vol@nat.org.uk
Testimonials from some of our interns
Below are comments from some of our former interns, outlining the benefits that an internship at NAT has brought them:
Isabelle Modigell, previous Policy & Campaigns Intern:
Having heard plenty of horror stories about interns simply pushing a photocopier button for months on end, I was fairly wary of internships to start with. Luckily my internship with NAT was nothing like this! Within a week I felt part of the friendly and energetic team who all made a real effort with me. I also received a thorough induction from various staff members so I felt comfortable in the office and felt I understood the organisation. My tasks were very varied and taught me a lot of different things - one week I was organising a media briefing, the next researching the criminalisation of HIV transmission or analysing data from a survey on HIV social care funding. They were always more than happy to offer me interesting opportunities such as manning a parliamentary stand or attending a House of Commons debate. While I worked independently on a lot of these tasks, which gave me the feeling I was making a useful contribution, I could always turn to my line manager or other members of staff for help if I wasn't sure about something. Something I really valued was the monthly review meetings with my manager who not only gave me useful feedback but also checked if I had any suggestions on how NAT could improve or support me better. An added bonus is the fantastic location of the NAT offices on Old Street!
All in all I feel like it was a valuable experience and would recommend it to anyone looking for enjoyable and varied work experience.'
Maddy French, previous Communications & PR Intern:
'As well as confirming my interest in charity communications, I came out of NAT feeling I had had some great new experiences that have since helped me secure other positions in charity. The internship focused on getting coverage of NAT’s fundraising campaigns in the lead up to World AIDS Day and gave me chance to focus on a charity’s social media profile, think creatively about how to promote fundraising initiatives and gain some PR experience. It was great to be given the opportunity to come up with ideas and then to take responsibility for them, and the great results we had through social media meant I felt I really contributed to the team. The opportunity to gain some PR experience has also been valuable in other positions and I am very grateful to NAT for this - it was a satisfying feeling seeing articles in the press about HIV and NAT that I had helped to promote!
As well as the great work experiences, the NAT staff were also really fun to work with - my internship was well timed as I was able to attend the excellent NAT Christmas party! I would fully recommend doing an internship at NAT to anyone – a great charity where you can gain excellent hands on experience.'
Helen Fisher, previous Fundraising Intern:
My internship at NAT was an incredibly positive and rewarding experience. It gave me the confidence to go after a role in event fundraising and the satisfaction that I was helping a truly worthwhile cause. From the first everyone at NAT treated me as though I was a member of staff and were so friendly and welcoming, as well as great fun to work with. My internship focussed on NAT’s Major Donor event Spring Awakening, it was my role to source most of the prizes for the tombola and assist the Fundraising Officers in lots of other areas of the event. The Fundraising Officers were always on hand to give advice and support but it was fantastic to be given individual responsibility for certain aspects of the event, as it allowed me to use my initiative and gain a lot more experience than I would have in another internship. I am so grateful to all the team at NAT for this brilliant opportunity and I am so very glad that I applied for the role.
I would definitely recommend an internship at NAT, you will have so much fun, gain lots of experience and confidence and help further the aims of a great cause.'
Becky Rawle, previous Fundraising Intern:
I left University with the naive belief that I would simply walk into the career of my dreams. Six months on and numerous job applications later, I began to realise that I wouldn’t get anywhere in the charity sector without a bit of experience under my belt. I found the Fundraising Events Internship for NAT on the w4mp website and found the application process simple and informative about what my role would include. After meeting the team at my interview I knew NAT was the place where I wanted to work. The people are so friendly and welcoming and the work of NAT is exemplary within the charitable sector. Luckily the team were impressed by me as well and I started my internship in March 2010.
The fundraising internship I completed was centred on two events; a Major Donor event and a Challenge event “Walk for Life”. I was given a lot of individual responsibility for these events which was fantastic because I felt like I was gaining real experience and was making a genuine difference to the events success. The fundraising team were always on hand for support and guidance, but the personal responsibility kept me interested and allowed me to use my initiative which is not possible in most internships, where the main focus is to follow and learn.
I would definitely recommend this internship for the opportunity to get some real hands-on experience and to gain an insight into the workings of a charity as a whole. It is experience which not only looks impressive on your CV, but it will give you confidence within yourself to pursue a career within the sector.'