Fighting fires, saving lives at sea and tackling oils slicks – volunteers from across Europe give up their time in a wide range of extraordinary ways. November is Europe Month in the Year of the Volunteer and throughout the month events will explore the role of Europe in developing volunteering opportunities in the UK and the volunteering methods Europe and the UK can learn from each other.

Support from the European funds is for the most part a well-kept secret in England. Even people living in areas benefiting from high levels of support are unlikely to realise that big projects have been created with significant European support. The European Social Fund provides 500 million pounds a year in England to help promote employment opportunities for all, helping people into work and promoting social inclusion.

Search for volunteering opportunities: Use the opportunity finder to the right to find out what's available in your area of interest.