Community group volunteer volunteer roles in greater london

Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups. Read Easy groups are changing the lives of individual adults across the country by providing them with the support they need to learn to read, and in turn opening doors for them to all sorts of new opportunities in life. You can read about the difference Read Easy makes on our website.

As the Team Leader you are responsible for the proper and effective direction of your local group. This role will appeal to someone with enthusiasm and energy who will enjoy managing a team of diverse volunteers. Ideally, the Team Leader will remain in this role for at least two years.

How we will support you

You will be provided with the Management Team Handbook, training/induction, policies, and guidance specifically needed for this role, including access to support from a Read Easy UK Regional Adviser, via your Team Leader. You will also be invited to Read Easy UK’s regional forums and annual conference which gives volunteers an opportunity for networking with those from other groups.

What you will be doing

● Leading the Management Team in setting goals and planning activities so that it functions effectively in delivering reading coaching to as many local people as possible.

● Encouraging and supporting Team members to fulfil and enjoy their roles, and managing succession planning for the group.

● Leading meetings and setting agendas.

● Ensuring that tasks are delegated and effectively completed so that all on the Management Team are able to contribute to the success of Read Easy locally.

● Ensuring that the requirements of your Constitution and Affiliation Agreement are met, and that the guidance in the handbooks provided by Read Easy UK is followed.

● Acting as an ambassador for your Read Easy group and building positive and beneficial relationships with key stakeholders.

● Building strong relationships with your Read Easy UK Regional Adviser.

● Maintaining and promoting the reputation of your group and of Read Easy UK as a whole and ensuring that members of the group uphold Read Easy UK’s values

The skills you need

● Strong leadership and team management skills and experience, with ability to motivate and inspire trust and confidence in others.

● An ability to think and act strategically, set goals, plan work and delegate.

● A willingness and ability to challenge others, deal with underperformance and manage conflict when necessary.

● Reasonable confidence in using IT.

● The ability to use initiative and work independently.

● A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures.

● An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for and offer support to the Team.

● A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included.

● Energy and enthusiasm with an average of four to five hours a week to commit to the role.

What is in it for you?

● Use your knowledge and skills to lead a team to support Reader achievement

● Meet and work collaboratively with new people

● Be active and engaged, adding value to your local community.

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!

Fundraising Volunteer

Thank you for your interest to become a Fundraising Volunteer at Cats Protection!

Our vision is a society where every cat has their best possible life because they are protected, cared for and understood by everyone.

We are a movement of people championing the welfare of cats. We lead society in a richer understanding of all cats and care for those that need our help.

Our Purpose is to to help people see the world through cats’ eyes

Our brand new Community Fundraising Hub is here to support you in this role, so there's never been a better time to get involved!

A bit about this role:

As a charity we can help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations from our supporters. Raising funds is a key role in our charity, helping to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need.

As a fundraising volunteer, we will support you every step of the way to ensure your time at Cats Protection is a positive and rewarding one. Whatever time you can give really does make a big difference We have lots of exciting activities to choose from for example attending a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, handling administrative tasks, or contributing to the development of new fundraising ideas. Whatever your skill set, this role could be perfect for you!

What can you expect to be doing?

As a flexible role, you have the choice to be involved in the following:

• face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, attending supermarket collections and monitoring collection boxes.
• online fundraising – assisting with online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised.
• bringing new ideas! We always love to come up with new ideas to raise funds for cats and we’d love to help bring yours to life.
• engaging with your local branch and Fundraising Hub and feeling like an integral part of the team.

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge though Cats Protection’s learn online system, providing you with the skills to thrive as a fundraiser. You’ll also have the chance to meet new people and be part of a dedicated team of volunteers. Money raised by our volunteers enables us to put cats first. Cats are at the centre of all we do. We care for them, ensure their welfare, and help others to understand and better support them.

We're looking for someone with:

• Sympathetic to cats and our values
• Happy to be part of a team of dedicated volunteers and employees.
• Flexible and adaptable to different events/activities
• Open to new ideas and ways of fundraising

Time expectation

This role is very flexible, often certain times of the year are busier than others. You can choose your level of involvement to suit your schedule.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The well being of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.

Trustee for the Mustard Tree

Can you help us grow our support for often-marginalised communities and people facing barriers to opportunities?

You could be a trustee for the Mustard Tree, a Reading-based Christian charity that reduces health and social inequalities, builds stronger communities, and gives a voice to the unheard.

About us

Set up in 2003, the Mustard Tree Foundation (Reading), known as The Mustard Tree, is a charity where we are passionate that every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Our vision is to develop the work we do in Reading, identifying unmet needs and innovating and growing projects which support individuals who are marginalised and facing disadvantage, delivering high-impact services to some of Reading’s most underrepresented people.  As a charity with a Christian ethos, the projects we generate are inspired by our faith and are thus are designed to serve all sections of our diverse community.

We are an incorporated charity, with a financial turnover in 2024 of £335k. Our three focused projects: Engage, Rahab and Starting Point, all support different communities, whilst linked to our common vision.

The role and what we are looking for in a new trustee

Trustees are the people who make the top-level decisions for our charity. Our Board includes people with experience and skills in our work and we’d expect new trustees to have strong empathy with our cause and with the needs of our beneficiaries. 

You don’t necessarily need prior experience of charity trusteeship, although that would be welcome. You need to have a Christian faith and participate with us in prayer.

We are especially looking for people with skills and understanding of financial management in a not-for-private-profit context; a grasp of fundraising strategy; or understanding of HR management and compliance, but we don’t expect you to have all three of those abilities!

If you can think strategically and plan long-term, you have the primary skills needed by our trustees; you’ll also need to be able to work collectively with other Board members. Support from our paid employees is always available, as they will be dealing with the day-to-day running of the organisation.

We are a charity not a business, but we apply business principles to governing our organisation. We are looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to join our charity. We want to expand the diversity of our board, in all meanings of the word, and strongly welcome applications from people from less-represented groups. 

We ask for at least five hours of your time per month, which includes all meetings, discussions, etc.  You will need access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.

What do you get as a volunteer trustee with our organisation? 

• An opportunity to exercise your strategic planning skills, probably in a different environment or context 
• An opportunity to influence and collectively-lead an organisation supporting often-marginalised communities
• A chance to expand and implement your understanding of our work
• A chance to augment your experience of charities 
• A boost to your career and CV, if needed 
• Satisfaction of helping an organisation that supports communities in Reading, thus giving something back to your community 
• Induction training from us; training, support and assistance from local charity-support & advice agencies

What do we get? 

• Your strategic skills, knowledge, understanding or experience
• Your abilities to influence plans for our charity’s future
• Enhancement to our overall governance and the Board of trustees; improvement in our charity governance and operational growth
• Your participation in our collective decision-making, contributing to all areas of our charity work
• Your enthusiasm

What do our beneficiaries get? 

• The ability to continue our support to access opportunities, as we plant hope and cultivate change
• A forward-looking and agile organisation, with a well-informed and well-managed Board of trustees

How to apply  

This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion by phone or video. A detailed Role Description and Person Specification can be made available to you upon request.

Trustee appointments are subject to satisfactory references, to completion of an online Safeguarding course and an Enhanced DBS check. 

Your CV or similar will be read by our existing trustees, and an interview offered as soon as mutually convenient.

I need to know more 

Contact Mike Allen via Apply Now below for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams/Zoom/phone)

Why do we need your help?

Food banks provide three-day emergency food parcels for people in crisis, working in partnership with organisations across the community. Drivers play a fundamental role in the running of the food bank, collecting food donations from a variety of locations such as supermarkets or churches across the local area as well as distributing the sorted donations from the warehouse to the local food bank centres. You will be given all the required training and provided with ongoing support and development opportunities. You will also have a main contact at the food bank throughout your time volunteering with us.

What will you be doing?

• Collecting food donations from collection points such as supermarkets, schools and churches within Brent

• Coordinating with the warehouse manager and supermarket community champions

• Delivering the food donations to the warehouse, located in Willesden

• Transporting sorted food from the warehouse across two food banks within Brent

• Regular loading and unloading of vehicles, helping your driver buddy

• Regular driving across the local area

The skills you need:

• Clean and current driving licence

• Physically strong and capable of carrying heavy boxes of canned foods

• Experienced and confident driver, you will be driving a small van around Brent

• Adaptable and flexible, sometimes we need to change your driving route or times

• Personable and committed, you will be the representatives of Brent Foodbank amongst our supermarket community

• You will need to follow the driving policy of the food bank

• You should enjoy being part of a volunteer team

• Have an eye for detail and be able to solve problems

• If you can’t drive but enjoy being out on the road, you can also be a driver buddy!

What’s in it for you?

• Using your existing skills to make a difference

• Meet new people who share your passion to end poverty in the community

• Make a real difference to the running of your food bank

• The opportunity to serve your local community

You will be given all the required training and provided with ongoing support and development opportunities. You will also have a main contact at the food bank throughout your time volunteering with us. 

We recognise that we have under-represented groups within our team. As part of our commitment to diversity and equality of opportunity we are actively encouraging applications from under-represented groups such as parents or carers who are re-entering volunteering after a career break, people who are LGBTQ+, from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, with a disability, impairment, learning difference or long-term condition.

Trustees play a vital role in ensuring Brent Foodbank meets its core purpose by overseeing the management and administration of the charity and ensuring that the foodbank has a clear strategy in line with our vision and goals.

What will you be doing?

The role involves acting as a charity trustee to set the strategic direction for the foodbank.  Providing good governance, ensuring that the foodbank meets its objectives and fulfils its charitable purpose.  Ensuring the foodbank operates within its budget and in compliance with its charity, legal and operational goals.

Key tasks

Key Responsibilities along with the board of trustees include:

• to approve, support, and guide the charity’s purpose, vision, strategy, goals and objectives
• to manage the charity’s resources responsibly, including ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, avoid undue risk, and not over-commit the charity
• to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity, responding to changes in the local community as appropriate to ensure that key risks are identified, monitored, and controlled appropriately
• to ensure appropriate financial plans are in place, budgets are monitored, and progress is evaluated
• to review and approve financial statements
• to help promote the organisation to key stakeholders and beneficiaries
• to ensure the charity has appropriate procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice, including employment, health and safety, equity, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, and GDPR compliance/data protection
• to prepare for and regularly attend and participate in board and sub-committee meetings and any Trustee away days.

What are we looking for?

Our ideal candidates would demonstrate:

• a knowledge of and commitment to the work of the Brent Foodbank
• a passion for the foodbank’s vision and strategy
• experience of working or volunteering in a governance role or equivalent experience
• an ability and experience to contribute to matters in a supportive and confident manner
• the ability to listen and engage with people with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences
• an understanding of our local community and the services, agencies, faith communities and other groups within it

We welcome applications from new and experienced Trustees.

What difference will you make?

By serving as a trustee at the foodbank you are part of providing a vital support function in our local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting or anyone who comes into contact with Brent Foodbank.

Finance Volunteer

We’re the MS Society – a community of people living with MS, scientists, campaigners, listeners, organisers, ambassadors and fundraisers. Our volunteers are a key part of achieving our goals and their support is vital. Join us.

About this opportunity
We are looking to recruit a Finance Volunteer for our Wandsworth Group. As a Finance Volunteer, you would be joining a coordinating team of volunteers to plan and deliver services and activities to support people locally.

You will maintain and approve income and expenditure records and explain financial information clearly to other group members. You would ensure our financial requirements and policies are followed, and that money is spent in a cost effective manner.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience with a large charity, develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you
You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be comfortable with figures, preferably with an accounting or business background. You will live in the immediate area of the Group, allowing you to meet with other volunteers from the Group.

Apply 

Read through the role description carefully

Please apply online

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

We're looking for enthusiastic, creative and organised people across Kent who can offer their support for a variety of local events and initiatives. To help build a group of passionate people we can call on if we need an extra pair of hands.

Around 90 per cent of our income comes from our supporters and we couldn't continue doing what we do without them. That means, our community fundraising volunteers play a really important part in rallying people together to raise vital funds which help to protect children and prevent abuse.

What you'll do:

Simply apply via the link and we'll keep you on our list of "Friends of Kent" fundraising group to contact whenever an event comes up that we needs support. All you need to do is let us know whether you are able to help or not.

The kind of support we are looking for could be anything from spreading the word about an event and helping to sell tickets, or making tea and coffee at an event, or even helping put up flyers in your local area.  Creating a pool of supports will help us run our events as smoothly as possible and help spread aware of the NSPCC in your local area. You'll be a valued part of our Volunteer Community Fundraising Team within Kent, raising awareness and funds. 

We appreciate that work, family and friends come first and, with that in mind, this role offers complete flexibility to fit in with your lifestyle. You'll volunteer without regular time commitments, ‘as and when' volunteering!

What you'll get:

We'll support you with advice, skills and tools to help you fundraise and spread the word of the NSPCC. You'll learn more about how you're helping to protect children across the UK, and you'll have the opportunity to grow your skills and inspire others to support us. It's also a chance to spend time with like-minded people and make new friends.

Who's right for the role?

While we think this role is suitable for a whole range of people, we are particularly looking for those with the following qualities and experiences.

• Passionate about helping young people and children
• Enthusiastic and personable
• Strong organisational skills
• Able to think on your feet
• You work well within a team
• Great communication and social skills

We are currently unable to accept applications from under 18's to this role.

Interested in getting involved? Volunteer today and join our fight for every childhood.

Can you help us to bring in the funds we need to make the food bank a success? 

We are looking for a volunteer Fundraising Lead to play a significant role in shaping a fundraising strategy, help raise awareness of Bounds Green Food Bank (BGFB) and generate income through events, projects and fundraising activities.

We currently raise money through grants, individual donations and community projects. We would like to broaden our fundraising initiatives and are looking for someone to raise funds, meet fundraising targets, raise our profile with key funding partners, and inspire relevant groups to support us.

About Bounds Green Food Bank: 

Open since June 2020, we serve over 1,500 children and adults in the community. We are committed to improving lives by providing food and essential household items and helping alleviate household food insecurity. We strive to promote social inclusion by supporting people and families in crisis situations and needing assistance.

The role: 

• Work with the Board of Trustees to agree a fundraising strategy, including setting annual fundraising targets

• Help to develop a fundraising team

• Identify income-generating opportunities and develop projects

• Build, develop and maintain relationships to secure funding

• Provide guidance to other teams that support fundraising initiatives e.g. the Grants Writing Team, Events Team and the Communication Team

Person specification: 

• Passionate about food insecurity and reducing social isolation

• Experience working in a fundraising role, including grants, trusts and foundations

• Ability and willingness  to work to financial targets 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and attention to detail

• Able to work flexibly and under pressure

• Ability to be creative and entrepreneurial in order to find new ways to raise funds

Benefits:

• Gain access to free workshops for volunteers and upskill on a range of topics (conflict resolution, mental health first aid, arts and crafts, and more)

• Join free social events for volunteers (such as picnics, walks, creative workshops and celebration events)

• Give back to the community - one of the NHS’ 5 Ways to Wellbeing!

• Gain a sense of community and meet the huge team of volunteers

Why we want you

Local groups across the UK are run by volunteers and offer friendship and support to people living with Parkinson's and their families and friends. The friendly faces and warm welcome provided by support group helpers means attendees get the most from the group, with the activities on offer running smoothly.

What you will be doing

• Welcome new people when they come along to activities for the first time
• Promote the group and Parkinson's UK in your community
• Help setting up and clearing up after group meetings - supporting other volunteers during busy periods
• Assist at events, which may include serving refreshments, handling registrations and raffles
• Contribute ideas for fundraising, activities and potential speakers

The skills you need

• A positive outlook to make things happen in our local community

What's in it for you

• You'll make new friends and meet new people, both in the branch and in the local community
• You'll be making a real difference for people affected by Parkinson's in your community

Disclaimer

It's important that people affected by Parkinson’s can trust us with their personal information. You would be handling personal or sensitive data, so by undertaking this role you'll need to complete our Advanced Data Protection training. Your Parkinson’s UK staff contact can help you do this. You will also be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Founded in 1997, the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants provides a place for refugees, migrants, and people seeking asylum to rebuild their life with support and community. From classes to casework to financial assistance, the Centre has a wide offering available for our community of over 200 people. Our approach is compassionate and human and the support we offer is long term - on average people stay with us around four years.

The current Board brings a wide range of charity and public body experience including strategy and fundraising and we are looking for skills to both enhance and complement these strengths.

The Centre has a dedicated and talented staff team led by our CEO, Andy Ruiz Palma, who joined in 2000 as an English teacher. In addition to this staff resource we have around 40 volunteers who provide direct support through activities. We also have in place accountancy support to the executive and a dedicated fundraising team.

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate a strong empathy with our client group and who understand how to work with organisations rooted in a local community. You will bring excellent people and communication skills and demonstrate good team-working.

We are open to applications from people looking for their first Trustee role or who may not have considered being a Trustee before and will provide mentoring to help trustees find their feet.

We are looking to recruit a deputy treasurer with:

A good understanding of financial management and reporting

A recognised accounting, finance or similar qualification

Ability to analyse and communicate financial information to the wider Board

Willingness to provide financial advice and support to the management team as needed

Knowledge and experience of fundraising finance practice in voluntary and community organisations (desirable)

Home-Start Croydon offers parents the support they need to help give their children the best start in life. As a Parent Champion Volunteer you will be engaging with families from your own community, providing peer to peer support and promoting services for children under 5 and their families. By connecting with other parents and carers, Parent Champions help communities thrive, breaking barriers and reducing isolation.

Key activities

• Engage with parents with children under 5 years old
• Build good knowledge of own community and links with local families
• Signpost parents to children’s centres and local organisations providing services for families
• Talk with parents in groups
• Facilitate parents to build peer to peer support groups
• Provide information on childcare options including the free early learning for two year olds
• Record accurate information manually
• Attend training and personal development activities
• Meet the Parent Champion Coordinator and other Parent Champions to share good practice

Person Specification

• Have experience of being a parent or carer
• Ability to talk and listen to other parents and understand their world
• Have a non-judgemental attitude
• Have an understanding of the difficulties parents face when looking for childcare
• Have a positive experience of using formal childcare and family services
• Have an understanding about confidentiality
• Have an awareness on the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
• Have knowledge of and commitment to equal opportunities, fairness and diversity
• Be able to keep basic records as requested by Home-Start

Trustees play a vital role in ensuring Airdrie Foodbank meets its core purpose by overseeing the management and administration of the charity and ensuring that the foodbank has a clear strategy in line with our vision and goals.

Key tasks

Fundraising Lead Trustee Responsibilities:

• to work alongside the Trustee board to set our strategic Fundraising goals and track that funds and grants are sought and applied-for to fulfil the charity’s strategy and objectives
• to work with the rest of the Board to plan the level of funds required to ensure the effective running of the charity
• chair the Fundraising sub-committee, consisting of staff and foodbank volunteers
• engage staff and volunteers with the foodbank’s fundraising strategy, emphasising that fundraising is everyone’s responsibility
• to assist the Foodbank staff in the organisation of local fundraising opportunities to support the running of the charity
• to help dovetail our local efforts with Trussell’s national fundraising campaigns and events throughout the year
• to support the staff with the writing of high-quality grant applications that are in line with the charity’s strategy and objectives
• to regularly update the rest of the board at Trustee board meetings, or other communication in between, with relevant information and/or developments regarding fundraising or grant applications.

Key Responsibilities along with the board of trustees include:

• to approve, support, and guide the charity’s purpose, vision, strategy, goals and objectives
• to manage the charity’s resources responsibly, including ensuring the charity’s assets are used only to carry out its purpose, avoid undue risk, and not over-commit the charity
• to ensure the effective and efficient administration of the charity, responding to changes in the local community as appropriate to ensure that key risks are identified, monitored, and controlled appropriately
• to ensure appropriate financial plans are in place, budgets are monitored, and progress is evaluated
• to review and approve financial statements
• to help promote the organisation to key stakeholders and beneficiaries
• to ensure the charity has appropriate procedures to comply with current legislation and good practice, including employment, health and safety, equity, diversity and inclusion, safeguarding, and GDPR compliance/data protection
• to prepare for and regularly attend and participate in board and sub-committee meetings and any Trustee away days.

What are we looking for?

Our ideal candidates would demonstrate:

• a knowledge of and commitment to the work of the Brent Foodbank
• a passion for the foodbank’s vision and strategy
• a knowledge, ability and passion for fundraising and grant applications
• an ability and experience to contribute to any fundraising and grants matters in a supportive and confident manner
• experience of working or volunteering in a governance role or equivalent experience
• an ability and experience to contribute to matters in a supportive and confident manner
• the ability to listen and engage with people with a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences
• an understanding of our local community and the services, agencies, faith communities and other groups within it

We welcome applications from new and experienced Trustees.

What difference will you make?

By serving as lead trustee and leading the fundraising sub-committee at the food bank, you are part of providing a vital support function in our local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting or anyone who comes into contact with Brent Foodbank.

Volunteers needed for the friendliest club in London!

Can you spare two hours a week to work with some of the friendliest, welcoming people

you’ll ever meet? If so, then please come and help our volunteers organise fun, engaging

activities at our ever-growing club for people with learning disabilities. No previous experience

is needed; you just need a caring attitude and sense of fun!

Our club is split into two age groups: 14-25 years and 25 years +. You have a chance to make a real

difference to either group by creating new experiences, helping our members to grow in

confidence, build friendships and learn new skills. Our specialist club leaders will support and

train you, and you’ll benefit from working in a very rewarding environment!