Blind volunteer roles

Do you have a passion for helping people discover the unlimited possibilities that technology can bring? Would you like to open up a world of opportunities for blind and partially sighted people in your local community by training them to use technology? Join our local technology team helping people with sight loss get the most out of technology.

How often will I be needed?

• 3 Hours per Month

Key requirements

• 1 reference.

Location

Region

• Northern Ireland

Additional location information

• Omagh Library 1 Spillars Place Omagh BT78 1HL

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 16 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Good communication skills
• Patient approach to training
• Natural tech user

RNIB NI Technology Fair will return on Wednesday 11 February 2026, this is the biggest showcase of assistive technology products for blind and partially sighted people in NI bringing you skills and tools for modern living.

As a meet and greet volunteer you will greet and assist – offering a warm welcome making sure visitors sign in (where applicable) & signposting attendees to workshops, stands, information points, toilets etc. You might also help with other practical tasks to help the event run smoothly, such as assisting with stall set up or taking guide dogs out for exercise.

Volunteers are needed for either full day or part of the day on Wednesday 11 February 2026

How often will I be needed?

• 6 Hours per Event

Key requirements

• Be aged 18 and over Volunteers will need to be able to be walk around or be on their feet for the majority of the day and be physically able to offer support.

Location

Region

• Northern Ireland

Additional location information

• Foyle Arena 2 Limavady Road Derry/Londonderry BT47 6JY

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• A positive attitude and great communication skills, reliability, a willingness to help others and have a love for community engagement and teamwork

Join our amazing volunteer team in this flexible opportunity that puts you at the heart of our work supporting blind and partially sighted people. You’ll make taking part in events and carrying out volunteering easier and more enjoyable for our customers and volunteers with sight loss.
You’ll take some of the stress and anxiety out of getting around and taking part in activities as a blind or partially sighted person. The help you give will encourage people to do more.

What you’ll be doing
• Sighted guiding / giving practical help to individuals in and around venues, so they can take part in events.
• Supporting volunteers with sight loss with their volunteering activities which range from facilitating a regular community group to delivering a talk about sight loss to a local business. Your role would involve things like guiding; Meeting and greeting at group activities or creating a welcoming and interesting display stand at events.

In this role you will only be helping individuals in places open to the public, often in a group setting. We will provide training in sighted guiding techniques and understanding sight loss.
We would particularly like to recruit support volunteers within the Downpatrick area (last Wednesday of every month)

What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Event

Key requirements

• This role requires one reference

Location

Region

• Northern Ireland

Additional location information

• Particularly looking for Volunteers in Downpatrick area - Last Wednesday of Every month

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • An outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people. • An empathetic and professional manner. • The ability to take the supportive and helpful role.

The Vision Friends project has been running successfully for the past five years, providing free, Welsh Government-funded training to health and social care professionals across Wales. The training is designed to help professionals better understand and support people living with sight loss.

This year, we are launching a new strand of the project: Vision Friends: First Responders. The aim is to adapt our existing training to specifically support first responder services to enhance their ability to support individuals with sight loss in emergency and urgent care situations.

We are seeking a committed and empathetic volunteer to help us shape a more inclusive future by gathering valuable feedback from blind and partially sighted individuals, as well as first responders via online forums. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact on how services are developed and delivered across communities in Wales and beyond.

What you will be doing:
Facilitate engaging and accessible online forums with blind and partially sighted people to gather feedback for an RNIB led project;
Run structured feedback sessions with first responders to understand the service experiences and identify areas for improvement;
Ensure participants feel comfortable, heard and respected throughout all discussions;
Capture key insights and report findings clearly and accurately to the health and social care training team;
Support RNIB in creating a positive and inclusive environment for all forum participants.

What you will gain:
Valuable experience in community engagement and facilitation;
The opportunity to influence real change;
Full access to training and ongoing support from the health and social care training team;
A supportive, inclusive volunteering environment.

Please note, this volunteering opportunity takes place on Fridays only and is expected to last until Autumn 2025.

How often will I be needed?

• 2 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• This opportunity requires 2 references

Location

Region

• Wales

Home based

• This role is home based

Additional location information

• Volunteering will take place remotely over Microsoft Teams or Zoom but there is also the option to attend Vision Friends training sessions and meet the team in person in Cardiff.

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 16 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Experience of Welsh language skills and/or Microsoft Teams or Zoom would be helpful but not essential. Previous experience of facilitation isn't essential as long as you have excellent communication skills including active listening skills and are confident in facilitating groups discussions and handling sensitive topics with empathy and discretion. You will also need to have strong organisational skills, be reliable and and are committed to RNIB’s values of inclusivity and respect

This group is a chance for blind and partially sighted people with Charles Bonnet Syndrome to come together and socialise. In the role of facilitator, you will ensure the group runs smoothly and that everybody has a chance to contribute to the group conversation. You don’t need to have any experience or knowledge of Charles Bonnet Syndrome as you won’t be asked to give out any information about the condition and no medical information is exchanged.

You will:
Listen to the group conversation, ensure it flows and that all conversations are appropriate;
Make appropriate contributions as and when required to stimulate conversation;
Create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, encouraging all participants to feel comfortable taking part;
Be the link between the group participants and the RNIB Talk and Support team;
Report any Safeguarding concerns or data breaches to the Talk & Support staff team.

This is a telephone-based role that you can do from home. You’ll need access to a landline and/or mobile phone.

How often will I be needed?

• 2 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• 2 references

Location

Region

• South West, Scotland, East Midlands, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East of England, Wales, North West, Greater London, West Midlands, Northern Ireland, South East

Home based

• This role is home based

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Good listening skills and verbal communication skills
• Able to use the telephone confidently for an hour long call up to 3 times per week
• Able to work with a wide range of people from across the UK
• Demonstrate empathy and understanding of the issues faced by visually impaired people
• Ability to follow internal policy and procedures
• Willingness to undertake and remain compliant with mandatory safeguarding training and attend other training and development opportunities when required.

Do you have a passion for helping people discover the unlimited possibilities that technology can bring? Would you like to open up a world of opportunities for blind and partially sighted people in your local community by training them to use technology? Join our local technology team helping people with sight loss get the most out of technology.

How often will I be needed?

• 5 Hours per Month

Key requirements

• This role requires an enhanced criminal record check This role requires 1 reference

Location

Region

• Northern Ireland

Additional location information

• RNIB NI Holywell Trust 10-12 Bishop Street Within, Derry-Londonderry, BT48 6PW once a month initially

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 16 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Good communication skills;Patient approach to training;Natural tech user

Are you looking for an admin volunteer role which helps to make a positive impact on people living with sight loss? As a Helpline Admin volunteer, you will use your excellent administration skills to make a positive impact and a genuine difference to those seeking help from RNIB by acting on requests to the Helpline email mailbox. These requests can include:

• Printing and mailing factsheets, letters and booklets to customers.
• Monitoring envelope, booklet and sundry levels and order replacement supplies accordingly.
• Sorting the Helpline post received into the Peterborough office and scanning applications for the RNIB’s Talking Books services
• Converting documents using Word into an acceptable format for conversion to braille or audio and update customer records on a CRM system.

We're looking for volunteers who are available sometime during weekdays for a either half a day or a couple of half days. The role is based in RNIB’s Peterborough office.

This is a busy role and would suit someone will excellent admin and customer care skills who has a methodical and organised approach and is able to pay attention to detail.

How you will be supported in your role:
Full training on the role will be provided. You will also receive support from your volunteer manager which will include regular updates and catchups.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• This opportunity requires 1 reference.

Location

Region

• East of England

Additional location information

• RNIB, Northminster House, Northminster, Peterborough, PE1 1YN

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 16 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• Excellent admin and customer care skills. A methodical and organised approach and able to pay attention to detail.

Join our amazing team and make a real difference to people living with sight loss. Help create a welcoming and safe environment for people to share their experiences, ask questions and support each other and connect with a local community in a group setting via Facebook.

In this role you will be:
• Creating a warm and welcoming environment – Welcoming new members to the group and encouraging participation.
• Supporting group conversations – Instigating dialogue based on eye health related days/events or more interest-based topics.
• Working with a Volunteer Moderator and engagement Team to create engaging content for the Group.

What you’ll gain from the role:
• A chance to build a strong community; by engaging with the people with sight loss and local and national organisations.
•  A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people, sharing information and working as a team to create and share content.
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups, both with your manager and your fellow moderators and engagement volunteers.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers through regular moderator meetings.

How often will I be needed?

• 5 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• This role requires 1 reference

Location

Region

• North East, West Midlands, South West, Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber, Greater London, South East, Northern Ireland, Scotland, East Midlands, North West

Home based

• This role is home based

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• An understanding and interest in maximising the benefits of social media platforms. A willingness to learn about local services and activities to inform the community as appropriate. Interested in helping people get the information they need. Good communication skills.

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Are you a reliable handyperson who can undertake, upkeep, and repair a range of tasks for our housing support clients?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to make basic home improvements to client’s accommodation?
• Are you a dab hand at DIY and want to put your handyperson skills to good use?
• Do you have an interest in motivating people to make positive changes in their lives through acquiring new skills?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include carrying out basic household repairs and alterations such as:

• Gardening work
• Flat pack furniture assembly
• Putting up curtain rails/blinds
• Hanging pictures and shelves

Skills required

No volunteering experience is required however the below skills are essential:

• Practical skills in DIY and/or gardening
• Good listening and communication skills
• Excellent people skills to enable you to work with a range of individuals with complex backgrounds

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

Sooty, the nation’s much-loved bear and a true national treasure, has featured on RNIB’s collection boxes for over 50 years. Thanks to generous public support, these iconic boxes have raised more than £13 million in donations.

We’re looking for friendly, reliable volunteers to join our network of Sooty Box collectors. In this flexible role, you’ll help place new boxes and collect and bank donations from Sooty Boxes in local shops, cafés and other businesses in your area. Whether you volunteer on your own, with a friend or as part of a group, you’ll be making a real difference in your community.

You can give as much or as little time as you like and fit the role around your other commitments.

Please note: Volunteers are expected to use their own transport and ideally should have access to a car. Mileage or public transport costs will be reimbursed.

How often will I be needed?

• 1 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• Requires 2 references

Location

Region

• Northern Ireland, North West, North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, Greater London, Wales, South West, West Midlands, East of England, South East, Scotland

Additional location information

• We are particularly looking for volunteers in Ayreshire, Bedfordshire, Berkshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Devon, Derbyshire, Dorset, Essex, Gloucestershire, Gwynedd, Isle of Wight, Jersey, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside, Norfolk, Northern Ireland, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, South Humberside, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Wiltshire

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • Good organisational skills • Trustworthy, enthusiastic and self-motivated • Willing to travel in and around your local area • Comfortable working independently • Able to send and receive emails

Join us at the Bikeability Trust and help shape fundraising appeals and events, as part of a Fundraising and Events Board, to support greater access to cycles for children.

The Bikeability Trust – Fundraising & Events Board Member (Multiple Roles) 
Location: Remote (occasional in-person meetings) 
Time Commitment: Up to 5 days per year (including preparation and meetings) 
Remuneration: Voluntary (reasonable expenses reimbursed) 
Term: 3 years

Overview 

The Bikeability Trust is establishing a new Fundraising & Events Board to strengthen governance around appeals, and to support the Trust in developing a sustainable income stream through our strategic objective of providing increased access to cycles for young people.

Currently a quarter of all 5-to-10-year olds do not have access to a cycle. Through appeals and individual giving fundraising, the Trust aims to raise £25,000 to support families through a bursary-style investment to allow parents to purchase cycles for their children. Not only will this allow children to support their Bikeability cycle training, but it will also give children the freedom to benefit from the impact cycling has on their health and wellbeing.

This is a unique opportunity to join at the inception of a high-impact Board that will provide expert oversight of appeals related to Bikeability delivery, while also advising and supporting the Trust’s leadership team as we grow and diversify our funding model. 

We are seeking up to five Board Members, each bringing a distinctive area of expertise, who are committed to the Bikeability Trust’s mission: to help more people – especially children – gain the confidence and skills to cycle safely. 

Core Role Description (applies to all Board Members) 

All members of the Fundraising & Events Board will: 

• Provide fair, impartial, and timely oversight of fundraising appeals organised and developed at the Bikeability Trust relating to planning, delivery, quality assurance and monitoring and evaluation. 

• Ensure decisions are consistent, well-evidenced, and uphold the integrity of the Trust’s values and mission. 

• Offer strategic guidance to the Trust’s internal working group on income generation, particularly through the fundraising and events income generation channels 

• Contribute to, through support and network-sharing. and attend high-value donor or partnership events, helping to inspire support, generate funds and promote the impact of the Trust’s work. 

• Support the Trust in developing new partnerships, making connections, and identifying potential funding opportunities. 

• Champion the values of the Bikeability Trust and uphold the highest standards of integrity and governance. 

Individual Specialisms 

Each Board Member will also bring expertise in at least one of the following strategic areas. Please indicate your area(s) of specialism in your application: 

• Cycling Sector 
  Deep understanding of the UK cycling landscape, from active travel policy to delivery and innovation in cycle training. You will provide insight into emerging trends, help shape influence of the Trust’s appeals and fundraising in the sector, ensuring we are achieving our strategic outcomes. 

• Health & Wellbeing 
  Experience in public or community health, mental wellbeing, or physical activity promotion. You will advise on impact measurement, support our case for wider health-related sources of income generation through appeals, and help position Bikeability within wider wellbeing agendas. 

• Charity Leadership (Director/CEO level) 
  Strategic leadership experience in the third sector, particularly fundraising. You will offer guidance on governance, income generation through appeals and individual giving, and sustainability, drawing on your experience in navigating funding environments and board dynamics. 

• Active Travel & Transport Policy 
  You will help align the Trust’s appeals and fundraising offer withing the wider active travel and transport sphere, advising on strategies and collaborative funding bids and positioning. 

• Corporate Partners & Commercial Growth 
  As an existing corporate partner of the Trust. you will support support in raising awareness and encouraging participation and involvement in the Trust’s fundraising and appeals function, building even stronger B2B and B2C relationships. 

To Apply 

Please submit a CV and short cover letter outlining your interest in the Fundraising & Events Board Member role and which specialism(s), skills and experience you can offer. Please submit your application by Monday 15th September. 

We value diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from all backgrounds, especially those underrepresented in cycling and governance. 

Join our amazing volunteer team to make a real difference to people living with sight loss. You’ll be supporting people to come together in a group setting, to benefit from each other’s company, knowledge and encouragement, leading to reduced isolation, stronger networks of support, and new friendships. You can support with either local and regional telephone groups or face-to-face groups.

What you’ll be doing:
• Meeting and greeting group members on arrival or joining virtually.
• Creating a warm and welcoming environment.
• Supporting group conversations.
• Assisting with group activities (if appropriate).

What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Week

Key requirements

• 1 reference Criminal record check

Location

Region

• Scotland

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • An interest in group or community work. • A sociable personality. • A commitment to working towards a society where people with sight loss are equal participants.

Join our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of sight loss and RNIB services at local events. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to create a world without barriers. This face to face opportunity will see you providing information about RNIB services and activities to help people with sight loss live the lives they want, enabling them to hear about the support that is available, and how they can help others.

What you’ll be doing
• Creating a welcoming and interesting display stand.
• Speaking directly to people affected by sight loss.
• Being a friendly face of RNIB locally - engaging with a diverse range of people.
• Providing information and demonstrations of basic independent living aids for the general public and professionals.

What you’ll gain from the role:
• An opportunity to give something back.
• A chance to build a strong community.
• A sense of achievement through the difference you make.

•  A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.

In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A supportive route to building your confidence in meeting members of the public and serving customers.
• A rewarding experience.
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups.
• Expenses.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers.

In applying for / signing up for this role you agree to be contacted when we are seeking volunteers to help with an event in relation to this role description. We will contact you via a communication method for which you have given consent.

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Event

Key requirements

• 1 reference

Location

Region

• Northern Ireland

Additional location information

• Currently looking for applicants within the Belfast area Only

Who this opportunity will suit

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• • An outgoing, friendly approach to meeting new people • An empathetic and professional manner. • Good communications skills with active listening. • An interest in helping people access the information they need.

If you believe that everyone should have the chance to experience the freedom, confidence, and joy of being on the water, this is a unique opportunity to help make that vision a reality.

SEAS All Afloat is a newly merged charity bringing together two well-established Welsh organisations — SEAS Sailability and All Afloat — both with a shared passion for inclusion through watersports. Together, we’re combining our experience, networks, and energy to create a single, stronger charity that opens up the world of sailing and boating to people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

Over recent years, our programmes have supported thousands of young people and families to enjoy safe, inclusive activities on the water. Many of our participants are disabled, disadvantaged, or facing barriers that can make access to sport and outdoor adventure difficult. We know the transformative power that comes from being out on the water — the laughter, the teamwork, the sense of belonging — and we’re determined to make sure no one is left on the shore.

As Chair of Trustees, you’ll guide SEAS All Afloat through this exciting next stage of our journey. The merger offers us an incredible opportunity to shape our shared vision, strengthen our partnerships, and grow our impact across Wales. We’re looking for someone who can lead with empathy and clarity — helping to bring people together, inspire confidence, and keep us focused on what matters most: changing lives through access to the water.

You’ll lead a dedicated Board of Trustees who bring a wealth of passion, insight, and expertise from across a variety of sectors. One of your early priorities will be to work with the trustees to review our board’s overall skillset — celebrating the strengths we already have while identifying areas for future growth as the charity develops. This will help ensure we have the right mix of voices and experience to deliver our ambitions.

You’ll also work with our Operations Manager and volunteers to support day-to-day activity, secure sustainable funding, and strengthen the charity’s governance and long-term strategy. As an ambassador for SEAS All Afloat, you’ll represent the charity to partners, funders, and the wider community, championing inclusion and connection through watersports.

This is a voluntary position, with around six to ten board meetings a year and occasional community or partnership events. For the right person, it’s a chance to lead with heart — to guide a talented and committed board through an exciting period of growth, and to ensure that more people across Wales can discover the confidence, wellbeing, and joy that comes from life on the water.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone with:

• A passion for making outdoor activities accessible for all.
• Strong leadership and governance experience (charity, corporate, or public sector).
• Excellent communication and people skills, with the ability to build consensus.
• Confidence in representing the charity externally and acting as a spokesperson.
• A collaborative and inclusive approach.

Experience in sport, youth development, disability inclusion, or fundraising would be an advantage, but is not essential.

What difference will you make?

As Chair of SEAS All Afloat, your leadership will directly shape the future of inclusive watersports in Wales. You’ll be guiding a newly merged charity at an exciting turning point — helping to unite two respected organisations, SEAS Sailability and All Afloat, into one stronger, more sustainable force for change.

Your impact will begin with people: bringing trustees, staff, and volunteers together around a shared vision. You’ll help the board build confidence and clarity about its role, review and develop the mix of skills and experience we have, and ensure that everyone feels supported, valued, and able to contribute. Under your leadership, the board will not only govern effectively but grow in ambition, becoming a confident, forward-thinking team that steers the charity with care and conviction.

Strategically, you’ll play a crucial role in turning the promise of our merger into long-term success. You’ll help set a clear direction for the next stage of our journey — shaping priorities, guiding governance, and ensuring we have the resources and resilience to reach more people each year. Your insight and steady leadership will help us build sustainable partnerships, secure funding, and create a stable foundation for the charity’s future.

Most importantly, your work will make a real difference to people’s lives. Every decision you help shape — every conversation about strategy, funding, or growth — will translate into more opportunities for people who might otherwise never get the chance to experience the water. Disabled sailors discovering independence, young people building confidence, families finding connection and joy together: these are the lives that your leadership will touch.