Charity shop volunteer volunteer roles in woolwich, greater london
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job description
We need dedicated volunteers to work at our Finchley Road store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.
About Octavia Foundation Shops
We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.
Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.
Job Type: Volunteer
Pay: n/a
Benefits:
- Travel Expenses claimable
- Store discount
Flexible language requirement:
- English not required
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
- Weekends only
Work Location: In person
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job description
We need dedicated volunteers to work at our Fulham Road store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.
About Octavia Foundation Shops
We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.
Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.
Job Type: Volunteer
Pay: n/a
Benefits:
- Travel Expenses claimable
- Store discount
Flexible language requirement:
- English not required
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
- Weekends only
Work Location: In person
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Do you want to make a real difference?
At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.
Here's why Oxfam is the perfect opportunity for you:
Be a Second-hand Superhero: In our high street shops, Ecommerce Hubs and Online Shop, people like you help create exciting and inspiring collections – retail therapy with a purpose!
Increase Your Skills: Gain valuable retail experience you can add to your CV, such as merchandising, customer service, and teamwork.
Find Your Community: Meet like-minded people who share your passion for a fairer world.
Flexibility: We know life gets busy. That's why we offer flexible volunteering options. A few hours a week is all it takes to make a big difference.
Oxfam isn't just another charity shop. We're a movement of passionate individuals working to create a fairer world, and we’d love you to be a part of it!
What happens next?
After you apply, the manager will ask you to come in for an initial chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you'd like to do in the shop. From there, you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!
We are Oxfam Together we can create a more equal future, free from poverty.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job description
We need dedicated volunteers to work at our Chiswick High Road store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.
About Octavia Foundation Shops
We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.
Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.
Job Type: Volunteer
Pay: n/a
Benefits:
- Travel Expenses claimable
- Store discount
Flexible language requirement:
- English not required
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
- Weekends only
Work Location: In person
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job description
We need dedicated volunteers to work at our Askew Road store. If you have a passion for fashion (especially second-hand), amazing customer service skills and you are keen to learn new skills, then this opportunity is for you. As a volunteer you will also be involved in receiving, sorting, steaming, and pricing our lovely donations, serving at the till, and using your creativity to create displays around the shop. Training will be provided. As a volunteer, you will be helping to raise money for the Octavia Foundation and support the work we do in the local community.
About Octavia Foundation Shops
We are Octavia. Founded by the Victorian philanthropist Octavia Hill in the 1860s, our work today covers three areas: homes, support, and care. We provide Londoners with quality, affordable housing, allowing many people to remain in the city who otherwise would have been priced out. We empower people, connecting them with opportunities for a better life. And we look after the elderly and vulnerable, with tailored and personalized care. We are for hope, for communities, and for connections. For the common good.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for friendly volunteers who adhere to our values of being reliable, respectful, responsible, and resourceful. You will be a good team member who we can expect to volunteer in our shops for a minimum of 4 hours a week.
Practical Considerations
We do reimburse Travel and Lunch expenses in line with our policy.
Job Type: Volunteer
Pay: n/a
Benefits:
- Travel Expenses claimable
- Store discount
Flexible language requirement:
- English not required
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
- Weekend availability
- Weekends only
Work Location: In person
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
***Please note that this is an opportunity based in Nottingham (shire) in the United Kingdom and we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***
Age UK Notts are seeking individuals who would like to be considered as a volunteer for our Companion Service.
Volunteers will be supporting people remotely, in their own homes and in the community within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and ideally, we ask all applicants to provide a minimum of 1 hour volunteering a week.
The companion service volunteer can choose to be:
• A companion telephone/video caller
• A companion within the person’s home
• A companion outside the person’s home
• Or a combination of all three.
Examples of the type of support the service offers include:
• Telephone / video calls for an older person/s on a regular basis at a mutually agreed time for a friendly chat.
• Supporting an older person/s hobbies and interests or simply chatting with them in their own home on a regular basis.
• Supporting with digital access & building confidence skills & motivation to access the opportunities of the internet.
• Supporting the person outside of their home e.g., by accompanying them on a walk, to the shops, to a café, garden centre, theatre or cinema or other social activities / community groups.
• Where appropriate, supporting the older person to access other services through information and signposting or referring to the Companion Service Coordinator for support.
We are looking for the following skills/interests:
• Individuals with a genuine interest in the wellbeing of older people who are committed to volunteering on a regular basis.
• Commitment to complete our Volunteer Report Form accurately and regularly.
• Ability to travel for visits in the local community either by car or public transport for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.
• Digital literacy for those volunteers who choose to participate in this type of activity.
Please do note, however, that at the moment we are not looking for Volunteer Telephone Companions.
We are looking for volunteers with good daytime availability in specific areas of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Please contact the volunteering team for further information on where specifically in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
EBAY COORDINATOR (CHARITY SHOP)
eBay Coordinator (RSPCA Finchley, Golders Green, Hendon & District Branch - based at the North Finchley Charity Shop & remote)
Are you an eBay top-rated seller? We are looking for volunteers skilled in online selling and photography to help turn donations into funds. You will have fun, contribute to making our eBay business a big success, and enable us to help more animals!
Overview of opportunity
This is an excellent opportunity if you are interested in collectables, researching unusual items, and love photographing objects to look their best! The time you dedicate would ensure that we made the most of the incredible donations to our charity shops, which means more funds can go towards our vital animal welfare work.
About the RSPCA
Founded in 1824 we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It has always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.
Our Charity Shops in East & North Finchley
Our shops play an essential role in raising the profile of the RSPCA in our local community and funds for our branch so that we can continue our vital animal welfare work. Our shops sell a mixture of donated items, including clothes, books, bric-a-brac and collectables, and a selection of new items.
Volunteer eBay Coordinator responsibilities
- Researching and listing the items for sale in our dedicated eBay store.
- A picture is worth 1,000 words so ensuring that attractive photographs are taken to boost eBay sales.
- Packaging items appropriately before posting them to the buyer.
- Maintaining accurate records of listed and sold items.
What we are looking for in a volunteer eBay Coordinator:
- Ideally, you would have experience in selling items on eBay.
- Can create attractive listings for a wide variety of items.
- Someone who is flexible and can offer an ongoing commitment.
What we can offer you as a volunteer eBay Coordinator
- You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your area.
- Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
- Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and training programme.
- Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.
If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!
Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.
Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
The board of trustees are jointly and severally responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the Farm, it’s financial health, probity of its activities, developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals in accordance with the governing document and legal and regulatory guidelines.
All trustees should be aware of, and understand, their individual and collective responsibilities, and should not be overly reliant on one or more individual trustees in any particular aspect of the governance of the charity. For example, all trustees should be able to read the financial accounts.
THE ROLE
Main Responsibilities
· To ensure that the charity, and its representatives, function within all legal and regulatory requirements applicable, and in line with the organisation’s governing document, continually striving for best practice in governance.
· To maintain the fiduciary duty invested in the position, undertaking such duties in a way that adds to public confidence and trust in the charity.
· To take appropriate professional advice in all matters where there may be a material risk to the charity, or where the trustees may be in breach of their duties.
· To determine the overall direction and development of the charity through good governance and clear strategic planning.
· To avoid any personal conflict of interest.
· To manage and use the resources of the charity so as to optimise its potential.
· To ensure that robust systems are in place for internal financial control and the protection of the charity’s funds and assets.
· To undergo a thorough induction upon appointment and ongoing training to remain alert to, and aware of, their duties and responsibilities, and of the environment in which they operate.
· To achieve the purpose of the charity and to pursue the charitable objects, and provide public benefit.
Main Duties
- Ensuring the charity complies with legislative and regulatory requirements, and acts within the confines of its governing document and in furtherance to the charitable objects.
- Acting in the best interest of the charity, beneficiaries and future beneficiaries at all times.
- Promoting and developing the charity in order for it to grow and maintain its public benefit and recognising the situation when it may be more appropriate to wind the charity up where there is no longer a need for the charity to provide the services it does or because the charitable objects are no longer relevant to contemporary social situations.
- Maintaining sound financial management and control of the charity’s resources.
- Ensuring a fully effective and appropriate system for the recruitment, appointment and monitoring of the work and activities of the General Manager and, where applicable, other members of the senior management team.
- Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the charity and its resources, striving for best practice in good governance.
- Acting as a counter-signatory on charity cheques (including any electronic transactions) and any applications for funds.
- To maintain absolute confidentiality about all aspects of the trustees’ business, bearing in mind the over-riding legal obligations placed upon trustees.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
- An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
- Good independent judgment
- Strong communication
- Friendly and approachable
- Knowledge of and interest in animals and community farms is desirable.
- Candidates who are local are desirable, but it is essential that you are able to travel to the farm for meetings, events and the odd day of volunteering.
ABOUT DEEN CITY FARM
Deen City Farm and Riding School is an urban farm with an educational focus in the heart of the London Borough of Merton. With over 60,000 visitors a year, our five-acre site includes a farmyard, gardens, riding school, shop, café and small playground. As well as welcoming visitors who want to meet the animals and enjoy the setting, we also work with local schools and community groups to fulfil our charitable aim of improving the lives of everyone in the community. Volunteering is at the heart of the project and we also provide a work experience programme.
Deen City Farm is a limited company as well as a registered charity.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Jumble Sales Organiser Volunteer
Would you like to raise funds, have fun and join a super team of volunteers who together make our Jumble Sales in Thatcham a great success? As Jumble Sales Organiser you would be helping to make everything run smoothly for the team.
Time Expectations: 1 Saturday every other month (plus preparations)
This could be a shared role and tasks may include:
· Booking the hall for future Jumbles
· Contacting the Jumble team before events to check availability
· Set up stalls, running a stall and packing away at the end
· Collecting any items/resources needed from the centre the day before
Without volunteers, Cats Protection Berkshire Cat Centre simply wouldn't exist. Our amazing, friendly volunteers are a diverse group with a shared love of cats who fit volunteering around their home lives and personal commitments.
We're often looking to welcome new volunteers to join our brilliant team. As well as meeting great people and making an incredible difference to the cats of Berkshire.
Please note: Although we do welcome everyone, unfortunately our centre is not set up to accommodate young volunteers under the age of 18, including those on the Duke of Edinburgh programme.
Full training and support will be given for all roles. We look forward to hearing from you!
Applicants will need to complete an application form with two references.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About us
Sense is a national charity dedicated to supporting children and adults who are deafblind or have complex disabilities, along with their families, to lead fulfilling lives. We believe in inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their disability, has the opportunity to engage fully in life's experiences.
About the role
As an Administration Support Volunteer, you’ll work closely with the Trading Support Team, getting involved in a range of administration tasks and team projects. Your role will help support our shops and our team based in Crayford.This volunteering role would suit someone who is organised and enjoys getting involved in a variety of tasks and activities.
You’ll help support our shops by:
- Organising and maintaining both digital and paper-based files.
- Supporting internal and external communications, such as responding to emails or taking phone calls.
- Supporting to prepare letters, presentations and reports.
- Accurately inputting and updating information in spreadsheets and databases.
- Keeping an eye on supplies and helping us stay well stocked and ready to serve our shops.
- Assisting with social media, with a focus on our Facebook pages.
- Supporting team projects and helping with ad-hoc admin tasks as they come up.
This role would suit you if you’re:
- Organised with a high level of attention to detail.
- Friendly and able to communicate, both written and verbal.
- Comfortable using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
- Proactive, reliable and happy to work independently or with others.
- Able to handle sensitive information with care and confidentiality.
- Respectful of others and their diversity.
- Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.
What Sense Offers
- Full training with ongoing support and guidance from the Sense team.
- The opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge.
- The chance to meet people from a wide range of backgrounds.
- The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others.
- The opportunity to make an important contribution to Sense and the people we support.
- A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request).
- Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed (as agreed with your manager).
Sense Values
We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Fundraising Events Organiser Volunteer
Would you like to be part of a dedicated and friendly team of volunteers and make a real difference to the lives of cats and kittens in our care? Do you enjoy planning and organising for events? Maybe you have a particular skill that you would like to put to use?
Then this could be the role for you!
Our Fundraising Events Team are at the heart of what we do, raising essential funds for the cats.
Our Fundraising Events Organisers share ideas, tasks and inspiration, planning and delivering local events, with the support of the Fundraising events helpers, such as Open Days (usually 2 per year) at the centre and our annual Christmas Bazaar.
Time Expectation: This role can be varied and time commitment can be flexible.
Without volunteers, Cats Protection Berkshire Cat Centre simply wouldn't exist. Our amazing, friendly volunteers are a diverse group with a shared love of cats who fit volunteering around their home lives and personal commitments.
We're often looking to welcome new volunteers to join our brilliant team. As well as meeting great people and making an incredible difference to the cats of Berkshire.
Please note: Although we do welcome everyone, unfortunately our centre is not set up to accommodate young volunteers under the age of 18, including those on the Duke of Edinburgh programme.
Full training and support will be given for all roles. We look forward to hearing from you!
All applicants will need to complete an application form, with two references.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.
Here's why Oxfam is the perfect opportunity for you:
Be a Second-hand Superhero: In our high street shops, Ecommerce Hubs and Online Shop, people like you help create exciting and inspiring collections – retail therapy with a purpose!
Increase Your Skills: If you have a particular interest, you can build on it to gain valuable retail experience to add to your CV, such as merchandising, customer service, and teamwork.
Find Your Community: Meet like-minded people who share your passion for a fairer world.
Flexibility: We know life gets busy. That's why we offer flexible volunteering options. A few hours a week is all it takes to make a big difference.
Oxfam isn't just another charity shop. We're a movement of passionate individuals working to create a fairer world, and we’d love you to be a part of it!
What happens next?
After you apply, the manager will ask you to come in for an initial chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you'd like to do help out. From there, you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!
We are Oxfam Together we can create a more equal future, free from poverty.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Our small friendly Charity Shop in South Westminster
As well as being an important source of revenue for the Centre, the shop on Horseferry Road is the public face of the Cardinal Hume Centre to the residents and workers of Westminster. It can be a very busy environment with lots of regular customers. You will be part of a friendly, international team! You will receive excellent support and opportunities to learn team skills and customer service. You can obtain a reference for future employers.
How does this role make a difference?
You will be part of the fundraising team, raising funds to support the work of the Cardinal Hume Centre and promoting the work of the Centre to the public. Typically, the Charity Shop raises in the region of £50,000 per year.
What will you be doing?
Flexibility will be given where possible, but in general, volunteers will undertake the following tasks as part of this role:
· Customer service on the till
· Cashing up at the end of the day and walking the takings round to the reception and handing in to Finance Team
· Greeting and helping customers
· Replenishing the stock on the shop floor
· Sorting donations
· Helping present top items in window display and around the shop
· Promoting the work of the Centre to the public
Want to increase your skills in retail?
If you want to develop in this role, we are keen to support you. There are more responsibilities you can take on in the shop, for example; opening and closing the shop, cashing up at the end of the day and helping with the induction of new volunteers. Let us know if this interests you. We also have employment advisors who can provide employment support. Furthermore, if you want to expand your experience in the voluntary sector, you can combine your role in the shop with a volunteer role elsewhere in the organisation.
What are we looking for?
No special qualifications are needed to work in our shop, as relevant training will be given, however, we will be asking for the following qualities:
· Over 16+
· Good spoken English needed – at least Entry Level 3
· The ability to contribute to a positive team culture and atmosphere
· Be able to provide a friendly, high-quality service to customers
· A commitment to equal opportunities and to treating all individuals who visit or work in the shop with dignity and respect
· Physically fit - able to lift light bags and boxes and to comfortably use the stairs between the shop floor and the stock room. Manual handling training will be given.
What is the time commitment?
The shop opening hours are 10am – 4.30pm, Monday – Friday. A full or half day (10 – 1pm or 1 – 4.30pm) is ideal, but we are flexible and are grateful for even a couple of hours help each week. Ideally, volunteers will commit to a period of at least 4 months.
How will you be supported?
· You will be supported and trained in all areas of retail and customer service by the Charity Shop Manager and the Assistant Shop Manager.
· You will receive a Centre induction from a Volunteer Coordinator
· You will be reimbursed for reasonable and agreed ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses such as travel and also lunch if working a full day.
· For volunteers who stay for more than three months, we are happy to provide a reference.
The Centre enables families, children and young people to overcome poverty and avoid homelessness.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
At WWT, we are on a mission to restore wetlands and unlock their power. Taking direct action to bring wetlands back to life and inspiring and empowering everyone to do just the same.
We are looking for 2 volunteers to join our Finance, Audit and Risk Committee (FARCom) as co-opted members.
Effective governance is vital in making sure we harness our resources to achieve our strategy. Our Council of Trustees are responsible for overseeing our strategic direction and managing our finances, resources and risk.
The FARCom plays a crucial role in supporting trustees to do this. As a co-opted committee member, you will bring your specialist skills and knowledge to bear, helping to ensure short and long term viability for the charity. Co-opted members are not trustees, but play a crucial role in enabling good governance.
Online interviews will take place during the week of the 23rd June (if you have restricted availability that week, please make a note of this in your application – we will accommodate requirements where possible).
Restore Wetlands and Unlock their Power





Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Branch Trustees
RSPCA Stort Valley Branch – multiple opportunities
Help us make the world a better place for animals
RSPCA Branches rescue, rehabilitate and rehome those animals most at risk through clinics, animal centres, boarding and fostering facilities; offer advice and education on animal welfare; and support with microchipping, neutering and subsidised animal treatments for animals owned by people in financial difficulty.
Each RSPCA branch (of which there are approx. 150) is a separately registered charity, operating at a local level across England and Wales. Branches did 78% of the rehoming activity across the RSPCA network in 2020 and took more than 31,000 animals into their care. There are also over 300 RSPCA charity shops, all of which are run by RSPCA branches. The RSPCA has been at the forefront of animal welfare since 1824 when we were founded in a London coffee shop, and we’re proud to be the oldest animal welfare charity around.
What does RSPCA Stort Valley Branch do?
We cover an area either side of the M11 from Saffron Walden in the north to Harlow in the south and fundraise and offer welfare services within this area.
The animal welfare services that we offer are centred around our busy clinic in Harlow and include:
- Subsidised routine veterinary treatment and microchipping for owned animals - in 2024, we made over 2,200 consultations at our Harlow clinic and administered more than 500 vaccinations and 250 microchips.
- Advice and education
- Community outreach
We operate a charity shop in Bishops Stortford town centre, selling clothes, books, games and other items to help with our fundraising.
In addition to our Harlow clinic, we work closely with RSPCA animal centres and inspectors to support their work and to look after and re-home animals rescued in our branch area. We also support neighbouring branches by seeing some owned animals from their nearby towns at our clinic. We are working to improve our fostering network to help with rehoming, and are keen to step up our fundraising work to enable us to provide additional welfare support to the community.
What do RSPCA branch trustees do?
RSPCA branch trustees are volunteers who shape the work that the branch does, and are collectively responsible for governing and managing the affairs of the branch. “Trustees have overall control of a charity and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do.” “Trustees are the people who lead the charity and decide how it is run.” “They may be known by other titles, such as: directors, board members, governors, committee members” - Charity Commission. At Stort Valley, we have a lovely team of staff and volunteers with experienced, capable people managing our shop and clinic day-to-day. Trustees will set the strategy, make the big decisions and lead on new initiatives.
To find out more about being a Trustee, visit the Goverment Trustee - What's involved which explains what trustees do. There is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and we have an online session about becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.
Stort Valley Branch is presently in the process of converting to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘CIO’), the modern legal form for many charities - loosely equivalent to a Limited Company. We expect to complete the change in the second half of this year (2025).
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for applications from people from all social and cultural backgrounds, who are passionate about improving animal welfare. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced trustee or not, as trustee training and induction will be provided. If you can bring relevant skills and experience from other aspects of your life, that’s great, and we’re pretty sure you’ll learn some new ones here!
Right now, we would like to recruit several additional Trustees. We’ll define and re-balance the roles of all the Trustees once our new Trustees have settled in, so we’re not necessarily looking for you to select a specific role at this stage. The opportunities could include taking the lead on fundraising, overseeing our clinic or shop, increasing our local outreach and education activities, enhancing our online presence and recognition, and more. Ideally, for some of the roles, you’ll be relatively local to the branch area; others can be done remotely.
We hold monthly Trustees’ meetings, which last 1.5~2 hours. We ask for Trustees to join as many of these meetings as possible. You’ll also need to allow time to prepare for meetings - creating or reading through any relevant documents in advance – and of course, for the specific activities you take on. We normally meet in the evening, online (Google Meet), at times chosen to suit Trustees’ availability.
Trustees are elected or re-elected for a 12-month term at the branch’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Between AGMs, branches have the ability to co-opt an additional three trustees who serve until the next AGM and can then be elected.
What’s in it for you?
There are lots of benefits to becoming an RSPCA Branch Trustee, including:
- induction and trustee training
- the chance to meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare
- the opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones
- the ability to use your skills to improve the wellbeing of animals in your local area, and make a real difference to the lives of animals
- the capacity to shape innovative projects, and be part of the RSPCA’s ten-year strategy - “Together for animal welfare”
- access to our learning hub, which contains training materials and courses on a variety of subjects
- the chance to shape the services in your local area
- volunteering is good for your wellbeing.
Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.
Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.