Community volunteer roles in leytonstone, greater london

About the Minster Centre

The Minster Centre is is a registered charity that provides training in psychotherapy and counselling and an affordable therapy service. It is approaching its 50th anniversary and was founded in 1978 as the first Integrative psychotherapy and counselling training in the UK.  Now based in Queens Park, NW London, it runs  training ranging from open access introductory courses to post-graduate degrees and  provides a safe and affordable counselling service to people over the age of 18 who are experiencing a range of difficulties. The Centre is seeking a Treasurer to join  its lively and diverse Board of Trustees. This is a voluntary role.

The Treasurer role

As well as fulfilling the duties of a Trustee, the Treasurer maintains an overview of The Minster Centre’s financial affairs. The Treasurer ensures that effective and appropriate financial measures, controls and procedures are in place and reports to the Board at regular intervals about the financial health of the organisation. The Treasurer will work closely with the Head of Finance, the Chair and the Management Committee.

Key responsibilities

• Ensuring  the presentation of budgets, internal management accounts and annual financial statements to the Board of Trustees.
• Ensuring that proper accounting records are kept, and that appropriate accounting procedures and controls are in place.
• Ensuring that robust and comprehensive financial policies are in place and being implemented, and supporting the development of policies covering financial reserves, and cost management.
• Monitoring and advising the Board on the financial viability of the charity.
• Overseeing financial controls and adherence to systems, regularly liaising with the Head of Finance.
• Advising on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan, including overseeing the charity’s financial risk-management process
• Ensuring investments and assets are maximised.
• Leading  on the appointment of and liaison with external auditors.
• Overseeing  the development and implementation of systems for appraising, mitigating and reporting corporate risk.
• Ensuring that the accounts are prepared and disclosed in the form required by relevant statutory bodies; the Charity Commission, Companies House and the Office for Students.
• Keeping the board informed about its financial duties and responsibilities and liaising with the Chair, Head of Finance and the Management Committee  to develop the financial understanding of the Board of Trustees.

More information about the role of Honorary Treasurers can be downloaded from  The Voluntary Treasurers Association  

In addition to the above, the Treasurer will also have the responsibilities and qualities of all trustees.

The Trustee Role

The Board of Trustees provides strategic leadership and oversight for the Centre as it seeks to fulfil its charitable objects, ensuring it operates in accordance with its governing document and meets its legal and regulatory requirements.

The Board of Trustees meets six times a year (January, April, June, July (full day), September and November) and are online aside from the full day meeting which is normally in person. Additional work on specialist working groups or committees is also undertaken, depending on Trustees’ personal interests, experience and availability. Trustees normally serve for a term of three years in the first instance but can stand for re-election up to a maximum of nine years.

Under the provisions of our governing document the Board can consist of a minimum of 7 trustees and a maximum of 14.  The Board is made up of:

• Up to 11 independent Trustees (elected by Minster Centre Members (alumni and psychotherapists who maintain their UKCP registration through the Centre)
• a member of staff elected by the staff
• a student, on a course at The Minster Centre extending over more than one year, elected by students attending a course extending over more than one year
• the Director

A list of current members of the Board of Trustees can be found on our website.

Qualities needed

We are seeking Trustees who are enthusiastic about The Minster Centre’s work and values, who understand the distinction between management and governance and can operate as an effective trustee across the range of subject matters that will be considered by the Board.

For the role of Treasurer we are seeking:

• A finance professional - Qualified accountant with Membership of a professional accountancy organisation. A knowledge of charity finance is an advantage, otherwise an enthusiasm to learn, drawing from sound commercial experience and an understanding of SMEs.
• A strategic thinker with an ability to balance risk and opportunity.
• A clear communicator with the ability to bring the financial information alive to non-finance specialists.
• Willing to play an active role in areas such as forecasting, setting budgets, liaising with auditors
• Able to provide effective support and challenge to the management team and other Trustees
• Experience of fundraising and finance practices in the charitable or voluntary sector (including understanding of charity SORP) would be an advantage
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

The Centre has a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Trustees will be expected to share this commitment, and the Board would like this to be more fully represented in its composition. We would particularly welcome applications from people from global majority communities, the LGBTQI+ community, care leavers, people with disabilities and people from other underrepresented groups in the profession.

Our full Treasurer Pack is linked below and provides further information for applicants.

The application process

To apply, please submit your CV and a statement outlining why you wish to be a Treasurer and your suitability for the role (maximum two sides of A4). Please submit your documents to the HR & Governance Manager, Afua Pierre by email 

Closing date: Friday 11th July 2025

Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed (remotely in the first instance) by the Chair and another member of the Board. The appointment will be made subject to two satisfactory references and confirmation from the whole Board.

Start of appointment: September 2025

Trustees will need to declare any conflicts of interest and not be disqualified from serving as a charity trustee. Reasons for disqualification include being bankrupt or having an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA), having an unspent conviction for certain offences (including any that involve dishonesty or deception), and being on the sex offenders’ register.  For further information see here

As a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk (FA&R) Committee, you will be expected to provide FFL with scrutiny and oversight, with particular focus on risk within audit & finance. You will support the Co-Chairs of the FA&R and The Foundation ’ s Co-Chairs and wider Board to oversee all the financial and audit-related risks of the charity in line with good practice, and legal obligations of the Charities Act, providing the wider board with advice, recommendations and reassurances that all financial processes and related risk controls are operating effectively. The Finance & Risk Trustee will ensure that effective risks for financial sustainability, measures, controls and procedures are put in place and operate effectively. You will be expected to be an active board member and may also be asked to use your skill set, interests and wider stakeholder contacts for other duties such as networking, fundraising and charity promotion/ambassadorial commitments

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Fundraising Volunteer for the Croydon Group. As our Fundraising Volunteer you’ll support your Group Coordinator to organise local fundraising activities and events throughout the year.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills.Most importantly you’ll inspire your local community to raise funds that help make sure no one has to face MS alone.

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and 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 confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the area the group to carry out this role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

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

In the spring of 2025, the Dunhill Medical Trust changed its name to the Vivensa Foundation as part of a wider plan to better reflect its work as a funder and impact-intentional investor.

The name ‘Vivensa’ is inspired by the Latin word vivens, meaning to live, be alive, or to reside in — a reflection of the work we support our award-holders and investees to do. But this is more than a change of name — it reaffirms our commitment to funding the remarkable science and radical social change needed for people to age well on their terms.

It was back in the 1980s that the Board of the predecessor charity recognised that the shifting demographics would drive a need for investment in a high-quality research base to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of ageing and ageing-related disease and the delivery of innovation in the health and social care of older people. Since then, the Foundation has been funding some of the very best of the UK’s researchers and community innovators to do just that. 

The Foundation plans to play its part in three broad ways:

· investing in ideas

· connecting research and practice and

· fostering flourishing communities.

With our new identity and with our refreshed Strategic Framework and priorities for the next five years launched in April, we are looking forward to writing our next chapter.

Board vacancy

Owing to a retirement, we welcome applications for the position of Trustee from candidates with expertise in one of the priority areas set out in our new plan. 

We will prioritise applications, from either:

• research active geriatricians or gerontologists with demonstrable expertise in translating research and evidence into practice or;
• professionals with a background in delivering innovative change in NHS or local authority settings, social care or housing provision with the experience and networks to turn the latest evidence into practice.

The work we fund means that we know all too well the negative impacts of inequity. We are therefore committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our work and improving the diversity of representation on our Board of Trustees and on our Committees and we welcome applications from under-represented groups.

How to apply

Please go to our website to find out more.

Over past decades, enormous advances have been made in our understanding of MS. Research has got us to a critical point, and we can see a future where nobody needs to worry about their MS getting worse. Our Stop MS Appeal needs to raise £100 million to find treatments for everyone with MS.

Our Stop MS Champions help us reach more people and inspire them to get involved in our Stop MS Appeal by encouraging raising funds and awareness by delivering presentations, attending events and identifying new audiences to speak to. They inspire people to engage with and influence fundraisers and groups, enthuse people and make sure our community’s voice is heard.

As our Lead Stop MS Champion, you’ll motivate your team of Stop MS Champions to help reach more people and inspire them to get involved in our Stop MS Appeal.

By using your ability to motivate and support, you will oversee and lead a team of 5-10 Stop MS Champion volunteers, encouraging them to engage the people they know to raise funds and awareness, and provide reliable information and guidance.

You’ll also network to engage with and influence fundraisers and community groups, enthusing people by delivering presentations at events and finding new audiences to speak to. In this role, as well as developing your leadership, networking, influencing, communication, organisation and presentation skills, you’ll have a chance to be part of something amazing – you could help us stop MS.

Do you have experience working with people who have suffered from any of the following? Or you may have some lived experience yourself?

• Homelessness

• Substance misuse and/or addiction recovery

• Ex-offending

• Mental health concerns or learning disabilities

Would you like to use some of your free time to mentor vulnerable adults settle down in their local community within the London and/or the Surrey areas?

We have some exciting new hybrid working opportunities in London and Surrey which will enable us to support people into the private rented sector. 

We will help them settle into their properties, their local community, and help manage their tenancy by making a positive and influential impact on their lives. Our overall aim is to provide the tenancy sustainment support and ensure they have the tools they need to live in their new property comfortably.

There will be occasions where meeting face to face will be necessary, so having some flexibility is important to us.

As a Mentor, you will be providing essential additional support, information and guidance to Forward clients that you have been allocated to. You will help mentee/s address in a holistic/person centred manner, to formulate their goals, draw a realistic plan and support them to review their achievements and overcome any barriers that they may have, particularly when it comes to running their own private tenancies.

You will be matched with a case load of mentees whom you will meet on a regular basis (we require a minimum of at least 3 hours a week up to a maximum of 3 days a week depending on your availability) to support them with their specific needs and signpost them to additional services where necessary. 

The role can be remote but in certain areas and as stated, we may need an occasional face to face meeting. 

You will:

*provide advice and guidance 

*have good knowledge of the welfare and benefits system

*understand what is involved in setting up and sustaining tenancies

*will be able to signpost your mentees to appropriate additional services and ensure they are engaging with their current additional support networks

*help them overcome their barriers, (whether that be from solving maintenance issues, budgeting to  personal barriers)

The list is not exhaustive. As you may understand, every individual Will have their own challenges or goals.

If this opportunity sounds like something you would be interested in, please apply today. The mentor coordinator will contact you to discuss the opportunity further and give you Information about the training and support that will be offered to you. 

Would you like to support the unpaid carers of people with mental health issues? We are looking for an enthusiastic, caring person to join our management committee.

Kingston Mental Health Carers’ Forum is a small but active charity that represents unpaid mental health carers (ie Family, Friends) in the Royal Borough of Kingston. Local statutory services recognize our collective voice and campaigning role and actively engage us in policy making and service development.

Our current team - all volunteers - includes people with professional skills and lived experience of being mental health carers. Because of this we understand the issues facing carers, for them personally and their loved ones. We provide 1:1 advice and guidance, and encourage self-empowerment.

We hold a monthly support group and keep members up to date on current mental health provision. We believe that supporting carers’ wellbeing will also help their loved ones, aiming for the best possible mental health.

We want to grow our membership and develop our services. As a volunteer with the relevant professional skills, lived experience and a strong motivation to serve our local community, you can contribute to shaping the future direction of KMHCF.

As we have no paid staff, we are particularly keen to hear from those who can also offer to take hands-on responsibility for moving the development of our service forward. This might indicate an applicant who offers professional skills, but is now retired and would like to serve the community.

If you have expertise to offer, plus an enthusiasm to serve Carers who can often feel isolated and bewildered in their role, we’d like to hear from you.

Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Thursday evening meetings on a regular basis during school term times. Doesn’t have to be every week.

Pursuing the role

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30th September 2025

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Remote (Hybrid optional)
Unpaid role, expenses paid
Voluntary
Actively Interviewing

Job Description

Location: Remote (open to hybrid working—coordinate in-office days with the team and Michelle)
Time Commitment: 10 hours per week (includes the Grants & Finance meeting)
Meetings: Required to attend the Grants & Finance monthly online meeting held every first Thursday of the month at 11:00 AM

Do you have a strong background in finance and a passion for securing funding for community-based initiatives? We’re seeking a Volunteer Project Manager to lead and coordinate our Grants & Finance Team, helping us access essential funding and manage financial resources to support life-changing programmes.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead and manage the Grants & Finance Department

• Coordinate and chair monthly team meetings

• Identify and apply for funding opportunities, managing deadlines and submissions

• Track team tasks, monitor progress, and ensure timelines and reporting requirements are met

• Align funding applications with the organisation’s goals and strategic priorities

• Support with financial oversight, including budgeting and expenditure monitoring

• Occasionally attend in-person meetings, if preferred or feasible

Qualifications & Experience:

• Experience in finance or money management is essential

• Bid writing experience is desirable but not essential

• Excellent knowledge of Excel is preferred

• Prior experience in grants, fundraising, or nonprofit finance is a plus

• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple deadlines

• Good written and verbal communication skills

• Comfortable using remote tools and working independently or in teams

Benefits & Impact:

• Help secure critical funding that directly supports children and vulnerable communities

• Gain hands-on experience in financial planning, grant writing, and team leadership

• Flexible volunteering structure tailored to your availability

• Contribute meaningfully to a mission-driven organisation

• Develop your skills and expand your network within the charity sector

• Receive ongoing support, recognition, and opportunities for growth

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit an Activities Volunteer for the Croydon Group. As our local group Activities Volunteer you’ll help us to set up activities in the area. Whether you’re serving refreshments, talking to people, registering attendees or collecting payments, you’ll be making sure everyone feel welcome.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills. Most importantly you’ll be supporting your local group to run activities that bring friendship and fun to your local MS Community.

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 able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the area the group to carry out this role.

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need up to two hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

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

Green Standard

The Green Standard is a new system that restores our natural world for future generations. Introducing the Green Standard Token, which is Earth’s first currency backed by protected land. That land is held in a nonprofit and owned by nature, meaning everything we do and how that land is used must serve nature. Our vision is for nature to be the world's largest landowner.

Our systems are not fit for purpose.

• Government: Short-term thinking neglects long-term challenges
• Business: Maximising ROI decimates nature
• Philanthropy: Reliant on free money and isn't scalable

But they're not going anywhere.

Answer: we must build alternative complimentary systems, like the Green Standard.

We are a community governed system based on ownership economic principles that adheres to circular economy requirements.

The Green Standard monetary system is similar to the Gold Standard where money was backed by gold. NOW money is backed by land, which must be used to serve nature.

Our company GST DAO Ltd is the sole service provider to our land trust and monetises the restoration and protection of nature. We plan to have a network of land stewards in place to operate on the land and share profit between the land stewards themselves, us and local communities.

What would Earth do?

If Earth could create new systems for humans to implement, in order to protect itself, what would it ask us to do?

Those systems would have to protect nature, sequester CO2 and be human-proof, so we don't destroy them.

Well, humans DO NOT destroy money.

So let's align the creation of money with the creation of nature.

Videographer

Volunteer Role Description (remote, unpaid)

Help editing our videos and creating shorts for social media. Focussed on content for LinkedIn, X, TikTok and Instagram.

Preferably in London/UK so we can potentially record some content with our founders.

Weekly Time Commitment

4-6 hours per week

Duration of Volunteer Role (remote)

1-2 months

Are you qualified to teach Yoga and passionate about promoting wellness? We are looking for dedicated volunteers to facilitate Chair Yoga sessions on Mondays at 7pm in our Tooting Recover Café. If you would like to promote relaxation and reduce others anxiety through mindful breathing and movement, we would like to hear from you!

about the service

We work with people who need support with their mental health across London and the South East. Our support ranges from registered accommodation services for people with severe mental health conditions to drop-in community and crisis services.

In the last year, 9,499 adults accessed Hestia’s mental health support.

We help people to feel safe, develop hope for a better future, and achieve their personal goals. These goals may include rebuilding relationships with family members and friends or connecting more with their local community.

What you will be doing

• Lead engaging chair yoga sessions for participants of mixed ages and abilities
• Assisting participants with the correct movements and breathing techniques
• Provide a supportive and welcoming environment, encouraging participation
• Provide guidance and support to help individuals to enhance their flexibility, strength and relaxation

The skills you need

• Qualified to teach Yoga
• Patience, empathy and a positive attitude

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications.
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.
• Good communication skills

Disclaimer

Hestia is proud to be a Disability Confident employer. Should you require our role pack in an alternative format or wish to discuss any reasonable adjustments you may need for your interview, please contact hestia. As part of the process of volunteering, all applicants will need to complete a DBS and references. If you have any convictions/cautions, this does not mean that you cannot apply for any of our roles, however we do require a DBS for all positions. We ensure that all positive disclosures on DBS records are discussed with our volunteers and fairly assessed.

Link Age Southwark is a vibrant local charity providing support to over 800 older people in Southwark who are feeling lonely or isolated. Our vision is for friendly local communities where older people and those living with a diagnosis of dementia can thrive in their later years.

All our volunteering opportunities are within the London Borough of Southwark, predominantly south of the borough - Camberwell, Peckham, Nunhead, Dulwich and around. 

Befriending is at the very heart of Link Age Southwark's services. Lots of the older people we work with are feeling lonely and in need of a little extra social company. Our fantastic volunteer befrienders visit an older person once a week, sharing a cup of tea and a chat together.

Demand for our befriending service continues to grow and we are looking for new people to join our existing team of volunteers so that we can support as many older people as possible. 

This role requires:

• volunteering for approximately 1 hour a week to visit an older person
• a commitment to volunteer for a minimum of 6 months
• a cheerful and friendly personality
• good communication/listening skills
• attendance at a volunteer induction and other relevant training opportunities
• completion of a full Disclosure Barring Service and character reference check
• a commitment to working within the policies of Link Age Southwark, in particular health & safety, confidentiality, safeguarding and equality and diversity

Becoming a volunteer with Link Age Southwark is a fantastic opportunity to meet new people and get to know more about your local community.

We cover all reasonable expenses and we are happy to provide references for volunteers who have completed 6 months of volunteering with us.

Please note that all our volunteering opportunities are within the London Borough of Southwark, predominantly south of the borough - Camberwell, Peckham, Nunhead, Dulwich and around. 

We are delighted to currently be working alongside Animal Free Research UK to recruit their next Clinical Trustee. Animal Free Research UK works for a world where animals and humans lead healthy, happy lives, free from suffering. They support scientists to deliver better treatments for patients faster by championing the transition from animal-based to human-specific medical research.

Animal Free Research UK is now looking to strengthen their Board and is seeking a Clinical Trustee – a background in veterinary or medical practice to support the Animal Free Research UK Board and team in achieving their charitable aims. You will maintain an overview of the Charity’s clinical services and to offer advice and support to the CEO in the further development of the organisation’s clinical services.

Trustees have a duty to ensure that the charity is well run, solvent, legally compliant, and working towards the charitable purpose for which it was established, and Trustee roles are an important and highly rewarding way to support an organisation. Please note that Trustee roles are unremunerated voluntary positions, although reasonable travel expenses will be paid.

Animal Free Research UK is committed to equality of opportunity, supports, and encourages under-represented groups, and values diversity. We seek people from a wide range of backgrounds, who will bring a fresh perspective to the Board, and having reviewed the existing Trustee's diversity, skills, and experience, Animal Free Research UK are keen for the Board to reflect the diversity of the communities that they work with and therefore welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Please contact Heidi Earp, Director of Langton Not 4 Profit our retained consultants for further information on the role.