Reference Letter Volunteer to Paid Work Template (UK 2026)

[On charity/organisation letterhead]

[Date]

To whom it may concern,

I am writing to support [Candidate name]'s application for [target paid role]. [Candidate name] has volunteered with [Organisation name] from [start date] to [end date — or 'present'], where they have served as [volunteer role title — be specific, e.g., 'Volunteer Trustee', 'Volunteer Coordinator', 'Programme Delivery Volunteer'].

In this role, [Candidate name] has been responsible for [scope — what they actually did, hours per week, who they worked with, what they were accountable for]. Although unpaid, this is substantive work — [explain why and how it parallels paid work in the same field].

Specifically, [Candidate name] has:

- [Concrete achievement 1 with measurable outcome]
- [Concrete achievement 2 with measurable outcome]
- [Concrete behavioural observation with example]

In their volunteering, [Candidate name] has demonstrated [primary capability relevant to the paid role they're applying for] consistently. I would highlight [specific moment or project] as evidence of [specific capability], where they [detail of what they did].

Beyond delivery, [Candidate name] has shown [working-style quality] — they are reliable, prepared, and treat the volunteering with the same seriousness as paid work. We have relied on them for [specific responsibility] precisely because of this reliability.

I have confidence [Candidate name] will bring the same approach to paid employment in [target field]. I recommend them without hesitation.

Please contact me directly with any questions.

Yours faithfully,
[Your name]
[Your role]
[Organisation name and registered charity number if relevant]
[Email] · [Phone]