Community volunteer roles in barbican, greater london

Location: Remote / Hybrid (UK-based)
Type: Freelance / Contract – Flexible hours
Revenue Share: 70% to Solicitor / 30% to Guardian Light Enterprises LTD

About Guardian Light Enterprises LTD

At Guardian Light Enterprises LTD, we are more than a social enterprise — we are a beacon of hope for children, teenagers, and single-parent families facing homelessness, abuse, and hardship.

Our mission is to empower and protect the most vulnerable, giving them the tools, legal support, and guidance they need to build brighter futures. Every session you deliver as a solicitor doesn’t just provide legal advice — it gives someone dignity, hope, and a chance to reclaim their life.

Role Purpose

We are seeking compassionate and dedicated freelance solicitors to provide expert legal guidance to our beneficiaries. This role is flexible, allowing you to use your legal expertise to make a tangible difference in the lives of children, teenagers, and single-parent families who urgently need your support.

You will:

• Offer legal advice on family law, employment rights, housing, or other related areas

• Guide clients through complex legal processes with clarity and empathy

• Provide practical, actionable advice that empowers clients to take control of their lives

• Collaborate with GLF staff and volunteers to ensure clients are supported holistically

Hours & Commitment

• Recommended: 6–12 hours per month at the early stage

• Sessions can be scheduled flexibly to suit your availability and client needs

• Each session revenue split: 70% to you, 30% reinvested into GLF programs

Compensation & Payment

• Paid per session based on agreed client engagement

• Revenue sharing model ensures fair and transparent payment

• Payment schedule: monthly for simplicity, with detailed statements provided

• Additional incentives: high-performing solicitors may be offered Board Member or Advisory Board roles

Skills & Experience

• Qualified solicitor in the UK, practising in relevant areas (family law, housing, employment, or youth-focused law)

• Strong empathy, patience, and communication skills

• Comfortable working remotely and in collaboration with a mission-driven team

• Passion for social justice, children’s rights, and supporting vulnerable communities

Policies & Safeguarding

• DBS check required (Enhanced, £12.50 volunteer rate)

• Commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults

• Adherence to GLF Confidentiality, Data Protection, and Equality policies

Benefits

• Directly impact the lives of vulnerable children, teens, and families

• Flexible working hours to suit your schedule

• Opportunities for professional growth, networking, and community recognition

• Invitation to join our Advisory Board or Board of Directors as the enterprise scales

• Being part of a mission that transforms lives — where every hour you give makes a tangible difference

• Public recognition on GLF communications, website, and reports

Ideal Candidate Profile

You are someone who:

• Believes that legal guidance is a lifeline for those who have nowhere else to turn

• Feels fulfilled by using your expertise to create social impact

• Is proactive, compassionate, and able to work independently

• Wants to be part of a groundbreaking social enterprise at the startup stage

• Values ethical work, transparency, and accountability

Across the UK, our 65 local branches work with disabled people to help them live the lives they choose. Our network of skilled volunteers respond to thousands of requests each year to design and make customised equipment free of charge.

Our volunteer Fundraisers use their organisational and people skills, as well as creativity and a sense of fun, to raise vital funds for their local branch.

What the role involves

This is a varied role that each branch can do a little differently, but it may include the following responsibilities, with potential for additional fundraising opportunities:

· Organising fundraising events big and small

· Identifying and helping to apply for local grants

What you’ll need for this role

· An interest in fundraising – prior experience isn’t a must

· Able to work independently from home

· Willing to attend meetings of your local branch

· A commitment to our aims and values

You’ll also need to complete the induction checklist and a reference check.

If it works better for you, there’s a possibility this role could be done remotely.

Why volunteer

When you volunteer with us, you join a community of committed people with a passion for helping to improve the lives of others. We’re a volunteer led organisation, and we couldn’t do what we do without your hard work, skills and commitment.

N.B. We’ll reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses during your time with us.

Are you a dog lover? Do you have the time to help raise a life-changing puppy? Would you like to make a difference to someone's life? If you've answered yes to these questions, then this role could be perfect for you! 

As a Puppy Raiser, you'll provide a 6-8 week-old puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. You'll be looking after a puppy for 12-16 months and will guide him or her through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences while providing a loving home.

There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the rewarding feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.

What you'll be doing:

• Engaging with our world-class training programme to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.
• Providing care and support for your puppy at home e.g., loving, grooming and feeding him or her. 
• Socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.
• Teaching your puppy to be comfortable alone - gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of four hours.
• Taking your puppy to monthly puppy classes, and interacting with other puppy raisers in your community whilst refreshing your training and sharing tips.
• Meeting with your volunteer manager as frequently as needed to discuss any changes or issues with your puppy.
• Completing short questionnaires about your puppy’s development.

You'll ideally have:

• A loving home with enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs (e.g. toilet training). If you work from home or have hobbies, you'll need to be available to give the puppy regular attention alongside these.
• Someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg).
• Access to a car, so that you can get your puppy used to travelling.
• The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home. 
• A safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.

What you'll get:

• The satisfaction of knowing you're supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
• The rewarding feeling of watching a mischievous puppy learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
• The opportunity to participate in our bespoke world-class training programme – this can help you train your own dogs or advance a future career in dog handling.
• The opportunity to have a loveable, canine companion, proven to reduce feelings of stress and improve fitness – you’ll be out walking rain or shine!
• The chance to be part of the inspirational Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people and interacting with a community of puppy raisers in your area.
• A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.

s a volunteer you'll have access to our world-class training programme, to implement with your puppy in training, a great bonus for any dog owner! This is delivered in an interactive and engaging manner, using a mixture of different learning techniques virtually e.g., videos, documents and e-learning modules. Examples of the modules you'll have access to include:

• Food manners
• Greeting new visitors
• Being home alone
• Settling in new environments

You'll receive plenty of support from your volunteer manager who will help you work through these training modules with your puppy. We also offer puppy classes for puppy raisers in the local area to get together, share stories and provide refreshers on training techniques. 

Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any pre-agreed expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training. We will also pay an optional allowance of up to £100 a year to offset additional costs, and we have working agreements with certain bus and train operating companies, letting you take your puppy on short training journeys free of charge.

Minimum age of applicant: 18.

To find out if this role is available in your area, please click 'Redirect to recruiter' at the top of the page, and use the postcode search function on the Guide Dogs website to explore local opportunities. 

The Plateful Café works to relieve poverty and isolation amongst refugees, asylum seekers and ethnic minorities in Lewisham. Our commitment is to reach the most vulnerable people in our community and help them access the support they are entitled to. The refugees training or employed by the Plateful Cafe will benefit from workshops, training skills and knowledge relevant for the catering industry. 

As a small charity, it is important to share information and updates through our communications and social media content, to help us fundraise and grow. We are looking for someone to assist us on creating copy for our blog as well as help with creating content for our newsletters, social media, print media and other promotional material over time.

With the launch of the physical Plateful Cafe taking place soon, this summer is an exciting time to join us.

Requirements: 

• Excellent communication skills in fluent English

• Has 1+ years experience of social media, copywriting, journalism, blog content creation, interviewing or similar skills (this does not have to include published work)

• Able to create interesting and engaging content

• Good computer skills

• Good time management skills

• Engaging and friendly

• Good team player

Desirable:

• Basic digital photography and editing skills

• An interest in supporting refugees and contributing to the work of Plateful Cafe

• Experience of working with refugees, people seeking asylum, vulnerable groups or lived experience

• Lives in London with ability to attend events and markets

Join the Board of Ensonglopedia, a newly registered arts charity working at the intersection of education, the performing arts and science.

We make musical comedies on science topics for theatres, festivals and schools, alongside workshops in educational, community and disability settings. Our work also includes music videos, documentaries and books, all created under the artistic direction of award-winning theatre maker and science communicator John Hinton.

Recent projects include The Puddle at the End of the World (about the climate crisis and migration), Light Fantastic! (the science of light), and Forces at Play (a Brooklands Museum commission).

Having become a registered charity in 2024, we are entering an exciting new chapter – expanding our network of creative partners and deepening our inclusion work. We’re now seeking up to four new Trustees to help guide our strategic direction and support the Artistic Director.

We welcome applicants with experience in finance, charity governance, touring theatre, fundraising, or legal expertise, as well as those with lived experience of disability and/or neurodivergence. No prior board experience is required.

Trustees attend four online Board meetings per year and are invited to company events and sharings. The role is voluntary, with travel expenses covered as needed.

Video Editor (International Humanity Foundation)

Dear Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in volunteering as a Video Editor for the International Humanity Foundation (IHF)! We are looking for talented and creative individuals to help us produce visually compelling content that highlights our mission to provide education to underprivileged children.

Role Requirements

As a Video Editor, you will:

Edit raw footage into polished and engaging videos.

Add graphics, animations, and subtitles to enhance video quality.

Collaborate with the podcast and media teams to create promotional materials.

Work on highlight reels and trailers to showcase IHF’s work and podcast content.

Ensure all videos align with IHF’s branding and storytelling goals.

Skills We Value

Proficiency in video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve).

Creative storytelling through visual media.

Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Experience in graphic design or animation is a plus.

A collaborative and flexible attitude.

Benefits of Volunteering with IHF

By joining our team, you will:

Gain valuable experience in video editing and storytelling for a global nonprofit.

Build your portfolio with impactful content.

Collaborate with a diverse, creative, and passionate team.

Contribute to a cause that empowers underprivileged children through education.

Receive a certificate of recognition and appreciation for your contributions.

About IHF

The International Humanity Foundation is a nonprofit organization focused on providing education to children in underserved communities. We believe in creating stories that inspire change and empower lives.

About Bank.Green

Since the Paris Agreement, global banks have poured a staggering $7.9 trillion into the fossil fuel industry. At Bank.Green, our mission is to lower this vast carbon footprint through technology and consumer action. We empower bank customers with the tools and insights they need to influence their banks towards sustainable lending or switch to greener alternatives. To date, our bank-checking tool has been used over 500,000 times by bank customers worldwide, and we have shifted over $50m towards banks that are financing a greener future.

Through transparency, engagement and innovation, we aim to redefine the role of banks in the fight against climate change.

Role Overview

As our Fundraising Director (volunteer), you will play a pivotal role in securing the resources that drive our mission forward. Success in this position means identifying and pursuing the right funding opportunities and coordinating our fundraising team to achieve clear goals. Through this role, you will gain significant experience of the entire fundraising process for both nonprofits and mission-driven entities, as well as learn about sustainable finance and how technology can positively contribute to it.

Commitment

• This role is currently volunteer-based.
• We are seeking a commitment of 5–8 hours per week.
• We are looking for someone to join us long term, but are open to shorter-term applicants.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess new funding opportunities for suitability using our CRM and training resources.
• Lead our fundraising strategy, setting goals for the team and adjusting course where needed.
• Manage our fundraising volunteers working across multiple workstreams and approaches.
• Meet individually with fundraising volunteers to discuss opportunities and unblock issues.
• Support the team with grant writing and the grant application process.

Desired Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a remote team.
• Proactive and organised, able to move work forward with limited supervision.
• Passion for climate and social impact.
• Experience in fundraising, or willingness to learn about grant applications, crowdfunding strategies and donor communications.
• Comfortable coordinating and motivating a small team.

Volunteer Benefits

As a volunteer-driven organisation, we are focused on making roles as valuable as possible for our volunteers. In this spirit, we offer:

• Opportunities to gain insights into sustainable banking practices and developments in climate advocacy through continuous learning.
• The chance to network with other sustainability professionals and advocates, strengthening your professional connections.
• Valuable experience in a critical climate-focused role, which will enhance your CV and skill set.
• Recognition for positive performance, including supportive references and recommendations for your future career growth.
• A significant role in driving impactful changes in the banking sector to accelerate a sustainable future.

Treasurer (Trustee) – Share Your Heart of Gold with SUNSHINE

Loneliness is one of the fastest-growing epidemics of our time. Across London, thousands of people feel isolated, disconnected, and unseen. At SUNSHINE, we believe no one should feel alone. Our mission is to bring sunshine into people’s lives through grassroots, community-led programmes that spark joy, foster friendships, and transform lives.

We are now seeking a Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees and lead on the set-up, development, and management of all financial aspects at SUNSHINE. This is a pivotal role ensuring our charity is financially sustainable, well-governed, and equipped to grow its impact across London.

Why This Role Matters

Strong financial management is the backbone of any successful charity. As Treasurer, you will safeguard SUNSHINE’s resources, ensure transparency and accountability, and help us build a resilient organisation that can deliver joy and connection for years to come. Your leadership will give confidence to funders, partners, and volunteers that SUNSHINE is a charity they can trust.

What You’ll Do

• Lead financial management: Establish and oversee systems, controls, and reporting for SUNSHINE’s finances.

• Guide the Board: Provide financial insight and advice to fellow Trustees, supporting strategic decision-making.

• Ensure compliance: Oversee budgets, accounts, and statutory obligations, ensuring SUNSHINE meets charity governance standards.

• Support sustainability: Help identify funding opportunities and ensure resources are used effectively.

• Champion transparency: Build confidence among stakeholders by ensuring clear, accurate financial reporting.

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from people with a Heart of Gold who believe in community, joy, and togetherness. Ideally, you will bring:

• Experience in financial management, accounting, or charity finance.

• Knowledge of charity governance and compliance (desirable but not essential).

• Organisational skills to set up and manage financial systems and processes.

• Leadership qualities to serve as a Trustee and guide SUNSHINE’s strategic direction.

• A commitment to impact and a passion for tackling loneliness.

Join Us

At SUNSHINE, the Treasurer is more than a financial manager — they are the guardian of sustainability, the steward of trust, and the architect of growth. Together, we can turn the tide on loneliness and create a London where everyone feels part of something bigger, brighter, and more joyful.

Step forward. Shine bright. Share your Heart of Gold. Because when you lead our finances, you’re not just balancing books — you’re helping bring sunshine into countless lives.

SUNSHINE

Loneliness Charity in London

Emmaus UK is currently undertaking feasibility work to consider the incorporation of an SPV which can become a Registered Provider of Social Housing on behalf of the Emmaus federation in the UK. This is an exciting prospect and would unlock significant potential to achieve our strategic objective to help more people.

To ensure that we are best positioned to pursue this opportunity we are looking to build the expertise of the Emmaus UK Board in:

· Housing Association/Housing Expertise or relevant regulatory expertise - providing strategic input as we develop the subsidiary and proceed with becoming a Registered Provider

· Legal expertise - ideally in a relevant field e.g. charity or corporate governance, housing, property, regulation etc

· Property Acquisition and Development - to support us with providing high quality services and managing sustainable growth

Joining the EUK Board at such a significant moment will enable you to play a key role in the future of Emmaus. You will be an integral part of developing the movement and central to making strategic decisions within EUK as the national body.

Further details:

Location: Home based online meetings.  Two annual face-to-face meetings

Reporting to: EUK Chair and board of trustees

Remuneration: This role is voluntary.  Any travel expenses will be reimbursed.

The attached applicant pack contains further details including the role description and more about Emmaus UK.

To apply, please email your CV and cover letter to the EUK Governance Manager the Email address can be found in the application pack.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 31 December 2025.

Those shortlisted will be informed on Tuesday 06 January 2026 and invited to an interview conducted via Microsoft Teams on either Monday 12 January 2026 or Wednesday 14 January 2026. All applicants will be informed of the interview outcome by Friday 16 January 2026.

The Board of Trustees plays a vital role by steering and supporting the charity development. We are seeking to appoint a Chair or a Vice Chair. The Studio Upstairs Board is drawn from a diverse range of backgrounds and has a variety of skills. To complement the current Board, we would envisage that the Chair had a wide experience of running organisations and a particular interest in the charity sector. We are keen to hear from candidates with skills in the areas of Corporate Governance and Business Development ie: Partnership working or Fundraising as well as those within Digital Technologies, Health or Legal expertise.

The Board Meetings are to be held four to six times a year in London or online. In addition to the full board meetings  there may be occasional committee meetings or meetings of specific task groups. It is expected that the Chair will also maintain regular contact with the Managing Director and other Board members.

Our vision for volunteering

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

The difference you will make to cats and people

At Cats Protection we help thousands of cats each year and the majority of these success stories are thanks to the dedication and effort of our passionate volunteers. Our recruitment support volunteers help local volunteer groups and teams by promoting volunteer roles, matching passionate cat loving volunteers to roles and informing potential volunteers about the variety of volunteer roles available at Cats Protection.

You can expect us to

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

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Identifying opportunities for volunteer involvement
• Planning volunteer recruitment campaigns
• Managing volunteer recruitment by advertising and promoting roles
• Overseeing the volunteer application process
• Meeting potential volunteers and providing information about roles
• Matching potential volunteers with suitable roles
• Promoting a culture of volunteering best practice

IHF Website Design and IT Volunteer

Make a difference in the lives of children around the world!

The International Humanity Foundation (IHF) is seeking passionate volunteers to join our Website Design and IT team. As a volunteer, you will play a vital role in helping us to:

• Educate marginalized children in Indonesia, Kenya, and Thailand.

• Provide safe homes for children in need.

• Empower adults to start their own non-profits.

What you will do:

• Assist our Website & Media Teams in visual editing of content for social media platforms and website design.

• Collaborate with volunteers from around the world on website and marketing materials.

• Use your creativity and skills to help us share our story and make a difference.

Why volunteer with IHF?

• Make a real impact in the lives of children and families.

• Gain valuable experience in website design and IT.

• Join a global network of passionate volunteers.

• Work with a flexible schedule from the comfort of your own home.

Who we are looking for:

• Individuals with a passion for visual communication and design.

• Proficiency in Google Suite applications.

• A deep empathy for impoverished children and their communities.

• A commitment to our core values.

Ready to make a difference?

Visit our website today to learn more and apply!

Plateful Café works to relieve poverty and isolation amongst refugees, asylum seekers and ethnic minorities in Lewisham. Our commitment is to reach the most vulnerable people in our community and open a pathway to employment for people who have asylum here. Refugees will benefit from workshops, training skills and knowledge relevant for the catering industry. Plateful Cafe are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all volunteers and team members. We are an equal opportunities provider and actively encourage applications from people with a refugee background.

What will the role involve?

• Looking for partnership opportunities with the private sector.
• Assisting with the development and ongoing work of Businesses Fundraising Action Group.
• Assisting in planning fundraising strategies with local businesses.
• Reporting on businesses partnerships and recent developments at Plateful Café.
• Working in partnership with the Plateful Café fundraising team.

Essential:

• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience of working with corporates.
• Expertise in new project creation and developing business links.

Desirable:

• Previous experience in fundraising and/or marketing.

What difference will you make?

• Helping to establish a new Business support group and a sustainable long-term funding structure.
• Developing and maintaining a funding mix, not relying on only one stream of funding.
• Helping local refugees find employment and enter the workforce much sooner than they otherwise might.

Are you passionate about supporting people to improve their language and communication skills? Are you working towards a teaching qualification and looking to gain relevant experience? 

We are looking for new ESOL volunteers to support our qualified tutors in the classroom. Volunteers play a fundamental role in our classes. All of our classes are led by paid teachers, however, they are also often supported by volunteer teaching assistants.

Whether helping to set up the classroom, supporting participants during group work or offering support and advice on local services, the contribution made by volunteers in our classrooms is vital.

Skills/ experience

• CELTA or similar qualification is desirable
• Teaching experience is desirable

In return, volunteers will have the opportunity to:

• Gain experience of English language teaching in a community setting with a friendly team
• Gain support and advice on professional development for those looking to become an ESOL teacher

Most of our classes are held face to face in West London, with some having a blended / online learning approach with Zoom.

If you are interested please send your CV and cover letter via Charity Jobs and our volunteer coordinator will get back to you. Please let us know your relevant experience, availability and why you would like to support Nova.