If you or your family are looking for volunteer opportunities in Hong Kong, NGOs and charity organisations like HandsOn and the Salvation Army are always accepting volunteers.
Hong Kong may have us living on the busy end of the spectrum, but there’s no denying that we can all afford to make time for causes and community services we care about (plus, the more hands, the merrier!). Investing your efforts into worthwhile NGOs and charitable organisations can be one of the most meaningful ways to spend your hours. Be it donating, contributing to the team, or even simply spreading the word about where to volunteer. From family volunteering to help domestic workers to animal welfare and elderly care (to name a few), there are plenty of NGOs and charity organisations in Hong Kong doing inspiring (and necessary) work.
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HandsOn Hong Kong – A connecting platform to join hands in volunteering
As an affiliate of the international volunteer network, HandsOn Network (HON) helps charities meet their volunteer needs. By pairing individuals who want to give back to the community with meaningful missions, there is plenty that you can participate in. Get started by simply signing up!
HandsOn Hong Kong, Room A, 9th Floor, Easy Tower, 609-611 Tai Nan West Street, Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2481 8092, www.handsonhongkong.org
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HELP for Domestic Helpers (HDH) – Empowering Foreign Domestic Helpers through education and more
HDH provides domestic helpers with free advice and support. Volunteers who can help with grant writing and advocacy translation (especially Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Malagasy, Cantonese or Mandarin) are very useful. As well as office administration, fundraising, event management, media, PR or communications volunteers.
HELP for Domestic Helpers, Room 606, 299QRC, 287-299 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2523 4020, www.helpfordomesticworkers.org
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ImpactHK – Hong Kong charity organisation to help those homeless in the city
As a Hong Kong-based charity, ImpactHK is dedicated to supporting people living without homes in Hong Kong. Volunteers are invited to help make an impact at the various events. Check out what’s coming up on the ImpactHK Facebook page.
ImpactHK, 5A, 5/F, Splendid Centre, 100 Larch Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2448 5200, www.impacthk.org
Christian Action – Volunteering work to help those with physical and psychological needs and marginalised groups
With a goal to serve people who are disadvantaged, marginalised, displaced or abandoned, Christian Action provides pro-bono legal and psychosocial help. It also offers abused domestic helpers refuge in safe shelters, amongst a range of other services.
Christian Action, 55 Clear Water Bay Road, Choi Wan Estate, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2382 3339, www.christian-action.org.hk
Changing Young Lives Foundation – Charity organisation empowering youth through education and development
The foundation serves young people in need from Hong Kong and China. Volunteers help with a number of services and activities including tutoring, mentoring, skill coaching and training. It requires help with fundraising, surveys and research.
Changing Young Lives Foundation, LG3, Kin Tin House, Pak Tin Estate, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2511 0505, www.changingyounglives.org.hk
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Hong Kong Dog Rescue (HKDR) – Animal welfare and adoption volunteer work in Hong Kong
As one of Hong Kong’s most active and successful dog re-homing organisations, Hong Kong Dog Rescue volunteers are primarily dog walkers. The organisation is also looking for volunteers interested in professional photography, graphic design, event planning, and fundraising, so get in touch if you fit the bill!
HKDR, 6 Shek Lin Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
HKDR, Shop 4, G/F, Brilliant Court, Sai-Hong Lane, No.28 Praya, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, www.hongkongdogrescue.com
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Crossroads Foundation – Volunteer to distribute necessities to those in need and more
Hong Kong-based charity, Crossroads Foundation assists people in need by distributing valuable goods, partnering with global companies looking to make a difference, providing simulation experiences and much more. Check out the specific ways you can volunteer here.
Crossroads Foundation, Crossroads Village, 2 Castle Peak Road, Gold Coast, Tuen Mun, New Territories, Hong Kong, 2984 9309, www.crossroads.org.hk
Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation – Hands-on patient support or admin and events volunteering
With a team of psychologists, registered nurses, social workers and breast cancer survivors, the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation (HKBCF) offers a diversified support service from treatment preparation to recovery. Volunteers help through hands-on patient support, assisting at fundraising events and public education activities and volunteering at homes. Also, providing services such as translation, editing, proofreading, design work, and administrative support.
Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, 28 Lung Cheung Road, Ngau Chi Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation, 22/F, Jupiter Tower, 9 Jupiter Street, North Point, Hong Kong, www.hkbcf.org
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Hong Kong Girl Guides Association – Volunteer leaders to help with empowerment for girls and young women
Girl Guides have been working with girls and young women in Hong Kong for over a century. The hugely varied, girl-led programme embraces everything from current global issues to adventure sports to social action and everything in between. Volunteer leaders work with Happy Bees (4 to 6 years), Brownies (7 to 10 years) and Guides (11 to 15 years) in weekly meetings on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New Territories and the outlying islands.
Hong Kong Girl Guides Association, 8 Gascoigne Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 2332 5523, www.hkgga.org.hk
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Justice Centre Hong Kong – Long-term volunteer to aid refugees in Hong Kong
This nonprofit human rights organisation works fearlessly to protect the rights of Hong Kong’s most vulnerable forced migrants. Including survivors of torture, human trafficking and forced labour, as well as refugees, and other people seeking protection. Most volunteer opportunities require a long-term commitment (usually six months).
Justice Centre Hong Kong, theDesk, 511 Queens Road West, Sai Wan, Hong Kong, 3109 7359, www.justicecentre.org.hk
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MindHK – Mental health advocates in need of volunteers to do admin or professional help
You are not alone, Mind HK is a mental health charity that destigmatises talks around mental well-being and you can play your part by volunteering to help in content translation, web design and event management. You can also volunteer to provide a lecture or educational workshop if you are a professional and trained psychologist or psychiatrist. Of course, there are always two sides to the story. Aside from professionals, all individuals are welcome to share their own battles with mental health to help those struggling now.
MindHK, Unit B, 18/F One Capital Place 18 Luard Road Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 3643 0869, www.mind.org.hk
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Lifelong Animal Protection Charity (LAP) – Looking for volunteers to help with animal welfare and adoption
LAP helps animals in Hong Kong find safe and loving homes. Volunteers help by organising events, walking dogs, bottle-feeding motherless puppies and kittens. Plus, matching shelter pets with the right prospective adopters and more.
LAP, 11 First Street, Sai Ying Pun, Hong Kong, www.lap.org.hk
The Zubin Foundation – NGO in Hong Kong raising social issues and empowering ethnic minorities
The Zubin Foundation is an independent nonprofit organisation working to raise awareness about social issues that do not receive enough attention in Hong Kong. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a student, all volunteers are welcome. Graphic design, project management, IT, or marketing skills are particularly useful at the moment.
The Zubin Foundation, Unit F, 5th Floor, High Fashion Center, No. 1 Kwai Hei Street, Kwai Fong, Hong Kong, 2540 9588, www.zubinfoundation.org
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Mother’s Choice – Local NGO offering child care, foster care, adoption, sexual health education and support to young mothers
As a well-known baby and children’s charity, Mother’s Choice is looking for volunteers to support as a photographer or videographer, graphic designer, administrative assistant, translator, or child care assistant. There is also a student volunteer programme, encouraging kids to get involved.
Mother’s Choice, various locations across Hong Kong, www.motherschoice.org
Pathfinders – Helping pregnant domestic helpers and their vulnerable children through law and midwifery
Pathfinders helps vulnerable migrant children born in Hong Kong. Though many families in Hong Kong are lucky enough to benefit from the work of domestic helpers, some helpers who become pregnant end up in situations that may be harmful to their wellbeing. Volunteers with experience in anything from law to midwifery, to general admin are welcome!
Pathfinders, Unit 11C, Worldwide Centre 123 Tung Chau Street, Tai Kok Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, 5500 5486, www.pathfinders.org.hk
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Po Leung Kuk – Volunteers for elderly care and community service
Though Po Leung Kuk provides social services to families and children. Volunteers are also often needed for the Elderly Home to help them clean their homes and escort services for medical appointments. Plus, translation if you’re bilingual. You can volunteer here individually or as a corporate group (more helping hands are always welcome.).
Po Leung Kuk, 66 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, 2277 8888, www.poleungkuk.org.hk
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Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) – Animal welfare volunteers, humane education and foster care
Volunteers are encouraged to help with a range of work including dog walking, animal care, humane education, kennel keeping and finding animals in their forever homes. You can also volunteer to foster the animals until they are adopted (a lot of the time, adopting them themselves!).
SPCA, various locations across Hong Kong, 2802 0501, www.spca.org.hk
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The Child Development Centre (CDCHK) – Classroom support and other volunteers in Hong Kong
This non-profit provides tailored early intervention for all children with developmental or special educational needs. Regular, committed volunteers are trained to provide classroom support. Other volunteers are welcome on a less frequent basis within your areas of expertise.
The Child Development Centre, 4/F Prime Mansion, 183-187 Johnston Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong, 2849 6138, www.cdchk.org
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The Salvation Army – Mentorship, elderly care and event management volunteering in Hong Kong
A well-known international Christian church and charity, The Salvation Army welcomes all individuals, organisations and corporates to volunteer. You can aid as a one-off fundraising activity volunteer (it hosts charity sales, carnivals, running races and festive home-visits during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Christmas and Chinese New Year). Or, become a regular volunteer to help with tutoring, mentorship and elderly care.
The Salvation Army, 2783 2323, www.salvationarmy.org.hk
The Women’s Foundation – Challenging gender stereotypes and empowering women in poverty
This non-profit organisation is dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls living in our city. Volunteers help as English instructors, running skills workshops and participating in planned equality events, all the way to breaking gender stereotypes and empowering women to pursue their passion.
The Women’s Foundation, 9A, Chun Wo Commercial Centre, 23-29 Wing Wo Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 2592 8264, www.twfhk.org
More NGOs And Charities For Volunteering In Hong Kong
- EcoDrive – Promotes the awareness and reduction of single-use plastic in Hong Kong. www.ecodrivehk.com.
- Feeding Hong Kong – Driving to and from food drop-offs, by working as a delivery assistant, or on a more long-term basis as a Community Cooking Class Chef! www.feedinghk.org.
- Food Angel – Help with food collection, preparation and distribution to give to families in need. www.foodangel.org.hk.
- Green Hub – Helping with educational programmes and activities, low-carbon catering, and co-op market gardening. www.greenhub.hk.
- The Child Development Centre (CDCHK) – Committed volunteers are trained to provide classroom support, and other volunteers are welcome on a less frequent basis within your areas of expertise. www.cdchk.org.
- Vision First – Fight for equal rights for refugees in Hong Kong and help raise awareness of issues they face. www.vfnow.org.
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If you have an organisation in need of volunteers, please email [email protected] or [email protected] and we’ll do our best to include it.
Editor’s Note: “Where To Volunteer In Hong Kong: 20 NGOs And Charity Organisations” was originally published by Tania Shroff and most recently updated in August 2023 by Fashila Kanakka. Special thanks to Alex Purcell Garcia for her contribution.