Befriender volunteer roles in greater london

Volunteer for NYAS

• Do you want to make a difference to a young person’s life?
• Do you have 1- 4 hours per month to spare?

Due to the request of the young people who are waiting for an Indepenent Visitor we urgently require male volunteer befrienders to be a positive role model. So why not volunteer as a mentor/befriender for NYAS as an Independent Visitor for children and young people in care.

As a volunteer you will:

• Have fun, take young people on outings and maybe share a hobby, sport or interest
• Offer support and a listening ear and be a positive influence in a young person’s life and help build self- esteem and confidence

You don’t need any special qualifications

We are looking for reliable and dependable people from all walks of life.

We will provide training and on-going support. We will pay expenses to a set limit.

Here is what some of our young people and volunteers have to say about this rewarding role:

• I like how my Independent Visitor isn’t anything to do with social services and is here to support me not to judge.
• They have boosted my confidence, now I feel like when I go places I can just relax and have fun.
• My young person always looks forward to me coming, they have had such a disjointed life, I am a stable figure in their life and this has to be important for them as everything else changes around them a lot.

Job Type: Volunteer

Budget: £30.00 per month

Work Location: In person

Job Types: Part-time, Zero hours contract, Volunteer

Expected hours: No more than 2 per week

Work Location: In person

We’re Mind, the leading mental health charity. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. We provide advice and support to empower anybody experiencing a mental health problem and we campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.

Our volunteers are a fundamental part of our shops. Any time which they volunteer at our shops, help us be there for more people who are experiencing a mental health problem. 

About the volunteer role

To provide our volunteers with opportunities to gain a variety of skills and experience, we offer them a range of volunteer roles to choose from, which include:

• Stock preparation volunteer
• Volunteer shop sales assistant
• Volunteer stock generation assistant
• Volunteer window dresser/Merchandiser
• Specialist knowledge volunteer (antiques and collectables)
• Specialist knowledge volunteer (books and entertainment)
• Housekeeping volunteer

Key tasks

There is a variety of tasks within the above mentioned roles that our volunteers get involved with, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers with their purchases, providing them with great customer service and a delightful shopping experience
• Receiving donated items from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated items for sale
• Creating visually appealing window and in-store displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, clean and coordinated
• Processing sales and serving at the till
• Signing up gift aid donors
• Stock rotation
• Identifying special or valuable items within donated stock

About you

• Passionate about customer servise 
• Good communication skills 
• Friendly and helpful
• Respectful of others and their diversity

Experience & skills you will gain

• Experience of working as part of a team
• Retail experience 
• Stock organisation
• Selling skills 
• Customer service skills 

Our Commitment

We are committed to becoming actively anti-racist in everything we do. This is a critical priority for Mind. We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation, recognising different perspectives, will enable us to provide excellent services. We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all.

Can you commit to volunteering for a minimum of 2 years? 

Do you have 2 to 4 hours spare a month? 

Do you live in Reading?

Would you like to befriend a child or young person in care and make a long-term friendship with them? 

If yes, then volunteering for Reconstruct may suit you.

An Independent Visitor is an adult volunteer who befriends a young person in care and develops a long-term friendship with them. This often involves helping young people develop new interests, skills and hobbies or going on outings such as to the cinema, bowling or just a walk in the park.

You must be 21+, available for flexible working and able to commit to a minimum of 2 years. As a volunteer, you would spend about 2-4 hours every month with your allocated child.

Each volunteer is carefully matched with a child or young person in care in their local area who shares similar interests.

WHAT DO INDEPENDENT VISITORS DO?

• Visit a child monthly and becomes a trusted adult friend to them.
• Provide a consistent and reliable adult with a view to building a trusting and positive relationship with the child.
• Provide a child with the opportunity to try new activities and spend time with them away from their placement. This in turn can enhance progress and resilience of children, by building self-esteem, strengthening mental health, and opening new social relationships outside of the care system.

WHAT SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE DO YOU NEED?

• Interpersonal Skills – Ability to easily build rapport an identify with children and young people.
• Communication – Excellent communication skills, good report writing skills.
• Committed – Willing to commit to a child for at least one year and preferably two years.
• Role Model – A good role model for a child or young person who may have experienced difficult times during their childhood.
• DBS Check – We will carry out safer recruitment checks and you will be required to have an Enhanced DBS check.

Examples of activities can include:

• Sports
• Play football 
• Cinema
• Bowling
• Go to the library

You will be allocated a budget for each visit for your activity, and payment of your expenses, are paid so you are not out of pocket. These include, travel costs, and parking.

As part of the recruitment process, candidates will be required to attend necessary training for the role. Interviews will be arranged in due course thereafter.

GHRI is building and enhancing its telemedicine and telehealth platforms, and we’re seeking a Front-End Developer Volunteer with an eye for design and a passion for purpose.

�� Your Role:

Create and optimize user-friendly interfaces for GHRI’s telehealth web and mobile platforms.

Ensure seamless navigation, responsiveness, and accessibility.

Collaborate with the back-end team to improve real-time virtual consultation systems.

�� Ideal Skills:

Proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React or Vue.

Knowledge of UI/UX principles and web performance optimization.

Interest in digital health innovation and humanitarian impact.

�� Benefits:

Certificate of volunteer service and digital health experience.

Opportunity to build a real-world telemedicine interface.

Global collaboration and recognition.

Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 500 shops. Our stores sell lots of great donated & new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.

Our retail stores are the face of our charity on the high-street and in local communities. We have loads of amazing stock donated to us every week, and this all needs to be sorted, tagged and put on the shop-floor for sale!

Making sure our shops look fantastic is another task you can get involved with. You may also be required to help out on the till too, but we will show you how that works during your time volunteering with us. We value the contribution of everyone who supports Barnardo’s.

You will be a friendly face of Barnardo’s by volunteering in one of our shops. It would be great if you could volunteer one shift a week (or even more if you want) but we’re always happy to be flexible to work around your availability.

Why we want you

Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 700 stores. Our stores sell lots of great donated and new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.

What you will be doing

• Work on the till processing sales and returns
• Prepare stock, including sorting, steaming and pricing
• Create stylish window displays
• Replenish stock on the shop floor
• Stock-take and other administrative tasks

The skills you need

• Friendly and helpful
• Happy to be part of an amazing team of staff and volunteers
• Enthusiastic about the work of Barnardo’s
• Flexible and willing to do a variety of the shop tasks

What's in it for you

• Have fun and meet new people
• Develop skills for your CV including confidence, teamwork and problem solving
• Make a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families
• Learning and development opportunities through our Volunteer Academy which includes access to Level 2 Qualifications and other accredited courses
• Full training and experience of working in retail as a volunteer

Location:

2 Broadway Parade, Crouch End, Greater London, N8 9DE, United Kingdom

Minimum age: 14 years

Please note: we only accept applications from those residing in the UK

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Enjoy dancing? Interested in supporting young Disabled people in an inclusive setting? Volunteering with us is a great way to build teamwork and communication skills in a warm and welcoming community.

No dance experience needed, just an interest or passion for supporting young people.

Stopgap Dance Company are a global leader of disability access in dance and continuously examine best practice. We actively advocate for the industry and the wider world to become more inclusive.

Our mission is to create an inclusive world where diversity is not just accepted but pursued, a world where no one is limited by prejudice against Deaf, Disabled or neurodivergent people.

Alongside our professional productions we run multiple dance companies during the week and we are looking for motivated volunteers to support with our Wednesday evening group.

Below is an idea of the things you could support with:

• Welcoming members at the start of the session
• Helping with setting up and tidying the space
• Encouraging our members to engage in activities
• Supporting with the creative tasks
• Performing at our annual community platform
• Dancing and having fun!

Skills you’ll gain from joining us:

• Invaluable teamwork and communication skills
• A chance to support your local community
• A fulfilling and rewarding experience that builds your confidence within an inclusive setting
• A deeper understanding on how to teach and support an inclusive group
• Build great relationships with the group members and other volunteers.

Availability: Wednesday evening, during term time only.
Consistency is key for the young people we work with, so we are looking for someone who would be able to commit to most weeks.

Venue: Guildford, GU1 1NS

DBS check: Anyone who becomes a regular part of our team will need a DBS. If you do not already have one, we will ask you to complete an online form before starting, as well as reading our Safeguarding and code of conduct policies.

Fundraising events helper

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our fundraising event helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· help set up and/or man stalls at events

· help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections

· help at fundraising events such as quiz nights, cake sales and dances

· promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

WANTED: Local Legends. No Cape Required.

Some kids climb trees.
Some build rockets from cardboard boxes.
Some are learning how to light a fire without burning their eyebrows off.
They’re curious, messy, hilarious – and they need YOU.

At 23rd Poplar Scouts, we’ve got a growing bunch of Squirrels, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and Explorers (ages 4 to 18) who are bursting with energy, questions, and potential.

And we’re looking for more grown-ups (yes, you!) to join our crew of volunteers.

Here's the deal - we don’t care if you can’t tie 12 knots or survive a week in the woods with just a spork or whether you're a parent, student, working professional, or retiree.
We do care if you:

• Enjoy seeing young people grow in confidence

• Like a laugh

• Are reliable

• Are up for trying something new (even if it involves glitter, tents, or biscuits)

You could help once a week, once a month, or just whenever you can. We’ll show you the ropes, give you some training, and promise not to make you wear shorts in winter.

This is about community, confidence, and connection – and giving young people a place to feel like they belong.

Sound good?

!!!Click on apply and share a few details about yourself.

Join us at 23rd Poplar Scouts and help shape the future, one adventure at a time.

Volunteer roles available in:

• Squirrels (4–6 yrs) – storytelling, play, and first friendships.

• Beavers (6–8 yrs) – crafts, games, and learning new things.

• Cubs (8–10½ yrs) – exploring, teamwork, and outdoor skills.

• Scouts (10½–14 yrs) – adventure, responsibility, and independence.

• Explorers (14–18 yrs) – leadership, community service, and big challenges.

We take children on voyages as readers and writers. Volunteer with us to join the adventure!  

Who are Literacy Pirates? 

Through our year-long after-school programme, we develop the literacy, confidence and perseverance of children aged 9-13 who are falling behind in class and have fewer opportunities in their personal lives, so that they can succeed at school and beyond.  

Children join us in our fantastical, pirate-themed space in Hackney to practise their reading and writing. We also publish their work in the real world so that every Young Pirate finishes the programme a published author, journalist and film star!  

What does a Volunteer do?  

As a Volunteer Crewmate, your role is to come along to our sessions in Hackney and help children practise their reading and writing in small groups by providing constant encouragement, positivity and celebration of their achievements. 

Sessions are led and managed by staff, which means you can dedicate the whole time you’re with us to providing direct support to the children.  

You will:  

• Receive full training.

• Gain experience working with children and leading small groups.

• Develop your communication, leadership and problem-solving skills.

• Take part in games and have fun. 

• Be invited to celebration events with the children to see the difference that you’ve made.  

We offer employment references, for volunteers who have fulfilled their commitment of 12 sessions with us.  

What are we looking for?  

We ask volunteers to give just three hours per month, although you are welcome to volunteer as frequently as you like!  

Sessions run every weekday during term time from 3:45 to 6:45 p.m. and you will have the flexibility to select which sessions you would like to attend. Please note, we do not run sessions during half terms or the Christmas, Easter and Summer holidays. 

No experience is required to become a volunteer – just a desire to help children develop their reading and writing skills! Full training is provided.  

All we ask is that you:  

• Are aged 16+  

• Must be a UK resident, and are able to commute to our Hackney ship  

• Complete a criminal background check (we cover the cost of this) 

Our Hackney ship is located at: 

138 Kingsland High Street 

London

E8 2NS

Become an Independent Visitor to be matched one to one with a young person in care. You will meet once or twice a month to take them out to do fun activities together. This is an opportunity for our young people to develop a healthy relationship with a trusted adult, have fun and share their worries and feelings if they are ready to do so.

We'll provide full training, all your expenses and ongoing support from dedicated staff. 

This is an opportunity for you to build skills and knowledge within social care and test yourself with real life experience of a young person in care.

We're looking for enthusiastic, committed people to bring their experience, skills and positivity to the lives of young people who have been through tough times. We will be providing training on the following subjects.

Session 1 Introduction to IV and the Care system
Session 2 Trauma, Attachment and Growth
Session 3 Safeguarding
Session 4 Communications and Boundaries
Session 5 The Role Of The IV

Unify Giving CIC – UK Based / Remote

Unify Giving is growing — and we want to launch a merch page so people can support our mission through print-on-demand products. Every item sold will help fund our work: direct, safe, trackable giving to people experiencing homelessness and domestic violence.

We’re looking for someone who knows their way around WordPress, WooCommerce and print-on-demand tools to help us make it happen.

What you’ll do

• Add and configure a merch/e-commerce page on our WordPress site.

• Integrate with a print-on-demand service (like Printful or Printify).

• Upload and format product listings, images and descriptions.

• Make sure the shop is smooth, simple and works for supporters.

• Advise on best practice for ongoing management.

Why this is for you

• Great portfolio project in web + e-commerce development.

• Work with a live UK social impact organisation.

• Minimum 5–10 hours per month, for at least 3 months.

• A chance to combine tech skills with a cause making real difference.

• Know that profits from the merch go straight back into our mission: helping individuals rebuild their lives.

Who we welcome
We don’t mind your background, age, or job status. If you’ve worked with WordPress and e-commerce tools before and want to use those skills for good, this is for you.

�� This is your chance to build something tangible that funds direct giving and creates lasting impact.

REMIX is a dynamic new start-up youth charity dedicated to remixing young people’s lives across London, initially focusing on Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Southwark. We will deliver Mentoring, Life Skills, and Personal Development programmes.

Our success hinges on a robust, well-supported volunteer team, from mentors and skills coaches to administrative support. We need a systematic and expert approach to volunteer management from day one. We are looking for a skilled professional to design and implement our entire volunteer programme infrastructure.

The Role: Setting Up Our Volunteer Systems

We are seeking a proactive and experienced Volunteer HR & Volunteering Programme Lead to design and establish the complete systems and processes required to successfully recruit, onboard, manage, and retain our volunteer workforce.

This is a vital, project-based role perfect for an experienced HR, Volunteer Management, or Operations professional looking to make a significant, short-term impact on a new charity.

Key Project Responsibilities (The Deliverables):

• Volunteer Strategy & Roles: Design a scalable volunteer strategy and create professional role descriptions for our key volunteer positions (Mentors, Coaches, Admin Support, etc.).

• Recruitment System: Establish the end-to-end recruitment pipeline, including application forms, interview guides, and shortlisting criteria.

• Onboarding & Vetting: Design robust onboarding processes and necessary volunteer policies, ensuring full compliance with charity law, safeguarding best practices, and DBS checks (with guidance on required systems).

• Training Framework: Outline the necessary core training requirements for all volunteers (e.g., safeguarding, code of conduct) and liaise with the programme team on role-specific training.

• Retention & Recognition: Develop initial systems for volunteer communication, support, retention, and recognition to build a positive, professional volunteer culture.

• Documentation: Create a comprehensive Volunteer Handbook and all necessary process documentation for future hand-over to a HR/Operations team.

What We Are Looking For

• Expert Experience: Significant professional experience (5+ years) in HR, Volunteer Management, L&D, or Operations, particularly within the charity sector or organisations managing large volunteer teams.

• Process Design: Proven ability to design, document, and implement professional and compliant operational processes from scratch.

• Safeguarding Knowledge: A strong working knowledge of UK safeguarding and vetting procedures (including DBS checks) relevant to working with young people (aged 11-26).

• Project Management: Excellent project management skills, including the ability to set and meet deadlines within an agreed timeframe.

• Passion & Belief: A deep commitment to the REMIX mission and the importance of supporting young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Why Volunteer with REMIX?

• System Builder: This is a chance to build a high-quality, professional volunteer framework that will serve as the engine of the charity for years to come.

• High Impact: Your work directly enables every single programme we run, multiplying your impact across hundreds of young lives.

• Portfolio Enhancement: A highly valued project to add to your CV, showcasing your ability to deliver comprehensive HR/Volunteer infrastructure for a start-up charity.

• Flexibility: Work remotely and set your own hours, provided key deadlines are met.

How to Apply

If you are ready to build the engine that will drive REMIX's impact, we want to hear from you.

Please submit your interest via this website.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Join us in setting the foundation to remix young people's lives across our capital city!

Become an Independent Visitor to be matched one to one with a young person in a young offenders institution, Thamesmeed . You will visit once a month to provide them a consistent, adult relationship which is independent from the institution and from social services. This is an opportunity for the young person to share their hobbies and interest and to talk about their worries and feelings if they are ready to do so.

We'll provide full training, all your expenses and ongoing support from dedicated staff.

This is an opportunity for you to build skills and knowledge within social care and make a real difference in a young person’s life.

About Croydon Children's Quality Assurance Unit and Safeguarding Services: As part of Croydon Council we support our social care colleagues in safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of young people from the borough. We aim to improve the young people’s quality of life for today and for the future. We're looking for enthusiastic, committed people to bring their experience, skills and positivity to the lives of young people who have been through tough times