VolOut did not start as a product idea or a planned launch. It started as a recurring question: why is it still so hard for people who want to volunteer to find organisations that truly fit them — and for organisations to find volunteers who genuinely belong?
Over time, this question kept surfacing in conversations within queer spaces, especially here in Switzerland. I met people who cared deeply about their communities but felt unsure where to contribute. They wanted to volunteer, but in ways that felt sustainable, aligned with their values and respectful of their energy. At the same time, I spoke with queer organisations doing essential work, often with limited resources, struggling to reach volunteers who would feel at home in their spaces.
What became clear was that the problem was not a lack of willingness. It was a lack of connection.
Volunteering often assumes insider knowledge: knowing where to look, whom to ask, how much you are expected to give. For many queer people, especially those who are new to activism, community work or Switzerland itself, this can feel like a barrier rather than an invitation. Organisations, on the other hand, rarely have the tools to present themselves in a way that goes beyond tasks and shifts, to show their culture, values and context.
VolOut grew out of that gap.
I began imagining a platform that treats volunteering as a relationship, not a transaction. A place where organisations can be visible as communities, not just as needs. And where volunteers can explore opportunities without pressure, guilt or the fear of committing too much too fast.
The name VolOut reflects this intention. It is about visibility, openness and showing up as yourself. Especially in queer contexts, being able to participate without masking or explaining who you are matters. Volunteering should feel safe, affirming and human.
VolOut is still in its early stages. It is being built slowly and intentionally, with care rather than urgency. The focus is not scale or optimisation, but fit. Respect for time, energy and motivation on both sides. Connection first, commitment second.
In the coming phase, VolOut will be shaped together with Swiss queer organisations and Swiss queer volunteers. Their experiences, needs and feedback will influence what this platform becomes. This feels important to name, because VolOut is not meant to be built for a community, but with one.
If you are part of a Swiss queer organisation, or a Swiss queer volunteer curious about helping shape something new, you can already take a look and register your interest. Testing VolOut at this stage means giving feedback, sharing perspectives and helping define what actually works in real community contexts.
You can learn more and sign up to help test at https://volout.com
For now, this is simply the beginning. A quiet introduction to a project that believes that when the right people find the right places to contribute, community work becomes lighter, stronger and more sustainable for everyone involved.