Internship scheme

A volunteer internship at Diabetes UK is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills and gain experience at the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes.

Our internship scheme is open to anyone who is willing to commit to the duration of the volunteer placement, who would like to get experience of working in the charity sector and who has an interest in the work of Diabetes UK.

What's involved

You'll get a chance to work on specific projects making a real difference to the charity's work.

The internships last for between 3 and 12 months and are voluntary placements, but we will reimburse your travel and lunch expenses. Interns will generally work between three to five days a week, with flexible hours in line with the staff flexitime policy.

What you'll be doing

All placements are project-based, with a clearly defined role. The placements will give you real responsibility and the opportunity to apply your knowledge in a practical way. Most of our internship placements consist of unique pieces of work, with a specified output at the end of the placement.

For example, you could be:

• creating and producing materials
• planning events
• co-ordinating internal or external communications
• reviewing the way we work.

Benefits to you

You'll gain valuable work experience, develop new skills and learn how one of the UK's largest charities is run. You'll also get:

• Payment of agreed out of pocket expenses such as lunch and travel
• Diabetes UK commitment to Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities Policy
• You will be supported by a main contact and have regular meetings to discuss your progress and personal development needs
• You will become a full and integral part of the team, and will be able to draw on the team for advice and guidance
• A full induction into Diabetes UK
• Opportunities to find out about the work of other teams in the organisation
• Training appropriate to your role
• A reference on successful completion of your internship
• Career development support
• The satisfaction of knowing that you are making a vital difference to the work of Diabetes UK.

Find out more

Watch the video to see Alex and Kirstie, two interns who volunteered in 2009, talk about what they did at Diabetes UK and what they gained from the experience.