Community volunteer roles in wandsworth, greater london

IAPWA was founded in 2009 and aims to provide protection and improve the welfare of animals in need. We exist for the benefit of the animals who need our help and are driven by those who are passionate about providing this lifeline. Our achievements have and continue to be possible through the combined dedication of everyone within the IAPWA team who enable us to make an impact through the collective action we take.

THE ROLE

In February this year, we launched the pilot for our Youth Ambassador Programme, encouraging students between 11-18 to sign up and work towards becoming a Youth Ambassador for the charity through fundraising, raising awareness and animal welfare advocacy. We received a significant interest and are now in a position to have a super successful first full run out of the programme starting in September 2025.

As the Education Partnerships Assistant, you will be aiding the Partnerships Manager in running and growing this year’s programme, while also developing a new programme aimed at schools rather than individuals called the Educator Partner Programme, where schools and education institutions work towards being recognized as an IAPWA Educator Partner.

The role will involve:

• Youth Ambassador Programme Support: Assisting with the day-to-day coordination of the IAPWA Youth Ambassador Programme, including supporting young people aged 11–18 as they complete their activities and challenges to achieve ambassador status.
• Event and Presentation Assistance: Helping to organise and attend school visits, presentations, and award ceremonies, including communicating with schools and coordinating with community supporters.
• Volunteer Engagement: Communicating with Youth Ambassadors and their families, celebrating their achievements, and maintaining positive and inspiring engagement throughout their journey with the programme
• Content Creation: Supporting the creation of Youth Ambassador Programme resources, certificates, welcome packs, and promotional content.
• Educator Partner Programme Development: Assisting in the development of the new Educator Partner Programme for schools and educational institutions, including planning activities, recognition criteria, and outreach strategies.
• Promotion and Outreach: Supporting the promotion of both education programmes through social media, email campaigns, and direct communication with schools, students, and local communities.
• Administration: Maintaining accurate records of participants, communications, and achievements, and ensuring timely responses to enquiries.
• Feedback and Reporting: Gathering feedback from participants and schools to help improve the programmes and compiling monthly updates to share progress with the Partnerships Manager.

THE PERSON

• A passion for animal welfare (essential)
• Knowledge of the education sector, either as a former teacher or a parent with involvement in school proceedings (desired, but not essential)
• Non-profit experience (desired, but not essential)
• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Resourcefulness
• Effective team player
• Ability to multi-task and manage time effectively
• Excellent attention to detail
• Proactive approach
• Problem solving skills

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests.

Volunteering in the shop

Mary's Living & Giving for Save the Children is unique - a vibrant result of the generous gifts of local individuals and companies being turned around by the skills and passions of volunteer teams, to create a destination retail experience. Selling womenswear, menswear, shoes, and bags to household goods, our shops can be found in the London villages and bring in vital funds for Save the Children.

Our Wimbledon Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick. 

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children.

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related).

How to apply 

Express your interest on email via the apply button.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests

"We are looking for 3 candidates to join our volunteer enhanced professional development programme and gain real world experience in your chosen field). While we only have 3 vacancies available through this programme, other options are available if your skills match our criteria".

QuilomboUK is looking for a PR & Marketing Assistant, who would love to join a growing organization. Quilombo UK works with the objective to promote different arts, sports, and cultures to encourage an intercultural understanding between different communities and societies; To promote cultural awareness in the community and educate, regardless of nationality or origin, about race diversity and mutual respect; To promote good health and wellbeing; and run a community organisation with a strong focus on individuals, the community and society.

This role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to; gain experience in marketing; develop their skills and management experience; or just simply ‘give something back to their community’. The role provides you flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

As a PR & Marketing Assistant at Quilombo UK, you will play a vital role in providing general marketing support while actively engaging in various marketing tasks to contribute to the overall success of our initiatives. This position offers opportunities for personal and professional development within the different units of Marketing, including Social Media, Images, Video, and Website. Your responsibilities will encompass a wide range of tasks, from data collection and report compilation to active participation in campaign organization and development. You will also be actively contributing to real-life marketing projects and playing a key role in planning, developing, and implementing effective marketing strategies. This role requires a proactive and creative individual who will promote our organization through various channels, manage social media presence, contribute to innovative marketing programs, and engage in comprehensive market research.

This role is perfect for an enthusiastic and creative individual who is eager to gain hands-on experience in various aspects of marketing, from strategic planning to social media management.

Main tasks:

• Working on real life marketing projects

• Planning, developing and implementing marketing strategies.

• Promote the organisation through Social Media channels , and through maintaining and updating information about the organisation. 

• Managing the organisation’s social media pages by posting updates and responding to comments and messages

• Submitting ideas for marketing programmes/campaigns designed to enhance and grow the company’s brand

• Organising marketing campaigns

• Creating, organising and delivering presentations 

• Conducting market research and analysing participants’ reports, questionnaires and surveys. 

• Using social media and website analytics to find out the effectiveness of ongoing campaigns and understand the way users interact with the site and social media posts. 

• Contribute to staff meetings, and other internal meetings with views and suggestions.

• Analyze information to provide actionable insights and recommendations to the Directors

• Receive and interpret briefings from the Directors, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of organizational objectives

• Develop and deliver clear and concise communication to internal and external stakeholders

• Translate briefings into actionable outcomes, coordinating with various teams and individuals

·

Training and support available:

• Social media

• Canvas

Skills:

Essential

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Attention to detail

• Flexibility and willingness to learn new skills

• Problem-solving, planning and creative-thinking skills

• Time management and prioritisation abilities

• Tactical understanding of all primary social media platforms

• Knowledge and understanding of online and offline marketing tactics

• Good Teamworking skills

• Strong organisational skills

• Numerical skills, which includes analysing and compiling spreadsheets

• Social Media skills.

• Office based skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Adheres to the organisation’s key objectives 

• Delivering quality work in a timely manner

• Self-driven

• Ability to multi-task and adhere to deadlines

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate. QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

• Good Knowledge of market research techniques and database

• Previous experience working in an office environment, dealing with administrative tasks or using a product database.

When needed:

Willing to volunteer at least 12 hours a week, for a duration of 16 weeks as part of a Personal Development Program (PDP).

QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

We are seeking an enthusiastic volunteer to assist our Client Service Administrator on Reception in hosting our busy reception area and friendly waiting room. In this role, you will use your excellent interpersonal skills to welcome clients and visiting professionals and other volunteers to the Helen Bamber Foundation, making them feel comfortable, attending to any immediate needs they may have, assisting them with their queries and notifying clinicians and other staff of their arrival.

You will be at the heart of an exciting, team of experts working as a representative of the Helen Bamber Foundation and the first point of contact for our diverse range of clients and visitors.  You will be a self-motivating team player, organised, efficient and have a compassionate mind-set. 

Main tasks and activities

• Greeting clients and ensuring that clients are having their immediate needs met;
• Ensuring the reception is well-presented;
• Answering the phone and responding to a wide range of enquiries;
• Maintaining the shared Outlook calendar and co-ordinating room allocations;
• Ensuring the smooth running of the day-to-day activities;
• General office administration including: ordering of office supplies, entering data, filing and organising office supplies storage etc;
• Reception cover when needed.
• Handling reimbursement of expenses for clients and fellow volunteers

Skills and experience needed

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a high standard of written and spoken English;
• Excellent telephone manner; Empathetic and understanding.
• Computer literate with experience of Microsoft packages;
• High attention to detail and accuracy;
• Punctual, reliable and self-motivated with a positive, ’can-do’ attitude;
• Ability to deal sensitively and in a warm, friendly and appropriate manner with clients who have specific needs;
• Ability to multi-task and prioritise tasks within a time-pressured environment;
• A high level of discretion and confidentiality given the sensitivity of the information and nature of the work;
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the objectives of the Helen Bamber Foundation.

What you will get out of the role:

• A better understanding of asylum seeker and refugee processes in the UK;
• Stronger administrative skills;
• An ability to multi-task between competing priorities;
• Experience of working with a multi-disciplinary team in a Human Rights charity;
• Ability to process large amounts of data and prioritise or categorise it;
• Ability to manage multiple busy calendars at the same time.

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

Volunteering in the shop

Mary's Living & Giving for Save the Children is unique - a vibrant result of the generous gifts of local individuals and companies being turned around by the skills and passions of volunteer teams, to create a destination retail experience. Selling womenswear, menswear, shoes, and bags to household goods, our shops can be found in the London villages and bring in vital funds for Save the Children.

Our Wandsworth Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children. 

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related). 

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button. 

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

Amazing, giving, and inspiring are a few words we would use to describe our volunteers.

Our volunteers play an integral part in the services we provide and the people we support. If you are looking for a rewarding role where you will really make a difference whilst gaining experience along the way, then join us here at Rethink Mental Illness.

About the role

We are looking for Volunteer Befrienders to support our Brent Mental Health service in the London Borough of Brent. 

As a Volunteer Befriender, you will be required to travel across Brent to meet with service users and carry out your role. Ideally, you will be able to commit a minimum of 2 hours per week to volunteering. 

You will be supported by Befriending Volunteer Coordinators who will provide regular supervision to ensure you feel confident in your role. You can read more about the benefits of volunteering on the full advert on our website.

About the service

Our Brent Mental Health service provides support to people aged 18 and above who live in the Borough of Brent, and who have a mental illness and are known to the local NHS trust, Central and North West London (CNWL).

The aim of the Befriending Service is to;

• Reduce social isolation of service users
• Increase the confidence of service users in accessing community resources independently
• Provide meaningful activities and peer support for service users 
• Help service users to live happier, healthier, independent lives
• Provide volunteering opportunities for people with mental health issues
• Reduce stigma and raise mental health awareness

What you will be doing as a Volunteer Befriender:

• Meeting with service users in locations and times which meet their needs (including evenings and weekends)
• Provide befriending support to a maximum of 2 service users at any one time
• Provide emotional support based on your own lived experience
• Support service users to access and build social and community networks and activities
• Act as a community connector to local services

What will make you a great fit for this role?

• You will have good communication skills
• You will be flexible in order to meet the needs of the service users

If you would like to express an interest in this opportunity, please complete an application as soon as possible, as the advert may close early if we receive a high level of interest.

Who are we?

We’re Rethink Mental Illness, a leading charity provider of mental health services in England. We support thousands of people through our groups, services, policy, campaigns and advice and information. Our work supports us in delivering on our mission: “A better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness.”    

It is an exciting time to join our growing charity. We are on a transformation journey, one that supports the delivery of the organisation strategy – delivering Communities that Care. Supporting employees, managers and leaders through this change is a key priority for the People function. Just like its key that we attract diverse people to come and work for us.    

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion  

Diversity is important to us and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services. One way we are doing is through our valued staff networks which play a critical and highly valued role in keeping us focused on creating a diverse, inclusive and engaged employer.  We recognise and support staff networks for our Black, Asian and minority ethnic and our LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter.  

Becoming a truly anti-racist organisation  

We have an ambition of become a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider - and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti-racist statement . We have designed a multi-year anti-racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrate our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti-racist organisation.  

We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (or questioning), Intersex and (asexual) (LGBTQIA+), people with a disability, and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. 

Could You Help a Young Refugee Find Their Path?

Are you passionate about supporting young refugees and asylum seekers as they begin their journey into the UK workforce? Become a Volunteer Mentor with Breadwinners!

What Does a Volunteer Mentor Do?

As a volunteer mentor, you'll be paired with a young person in one of our two core programmes:

• Risers Programme (2 months): For young asylum seekers aged 16-24 who are awaiting refugee status.
• Breadwinners Programme (6 months): For refugees with the right to work in the UK, helping them gain vital skills and experience.

Most mentors will work with our Risers, as this program is more fast-paced, but opportunities exist to mentor our Breadwinners too.

Your role? Help your mentee gain hands-on work experience at one of our weekend market stalls and lead weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions. These sessions are designed to develop employability skills, explore future goals, and foster social connections. Many of our mentors build lasting relationships with their mentees even after the program ends.

Time Commitment:

• Market Shifts: 2 hours per weekend (Saturday or Sunday).
• 1:1 Mentoring: 1 hour per week, in person or online, to support career development.
• Ongoing Support: Stay in touch via text or calls during the week to help with logistics and provide encouragement.

What Our Graduates Say:

“Having a mentor helped me feel more confident. I could ask questions, felt motivated, and learned new things. It was nice to have conversations about my future and how to succeed.”
— Sura, Risers Graduate

Who Are We Looking For?

You don’t need special qualifications to be a mentor—just a good understanding of working in the UK, strong communication skills, and a passion for helping young people succeed. If you’re ready to make a real difference and become part of a fun, supportive community, this role is for you!

Feeling Inspired?
Apply today and join us in helping young refugees build brighter futures!

We recruit every January, April, July, October. 

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Job Title: Legal  Assistant                                                                                

Reports To: Department Manager 

Location: Remote

Employment Type: Volunteer (12 hours/week for 6 months)

About the Project – “Solta o Jogo”
“Solta o Jogo” is a vibrant cultural competition and festival celebrating Brazilian heritage through Capoeira, music, dance, acrobatics, and a Brazilian arts & crafts fair. Hosted at Kingston University Townhouse, the event invites the community to participate in free performances, workshops, and exhibitions promoting cross-cultural understanding.

As part of this initiative, we are seeking a Legal Assistant to support the organisation in ensuring legal compliance and best practice across all departments. This remote volunteer opportunity is ideal for someone looking to gain hands-on legal experience within the nonprofit sector while contributing to a meaningful community-focused project.

Position Overview:
The Legal Assistant will play a key role in ensuring that Quilombo UK’s operations—including its programmes, policies, and partnerships—are fully compliant with current UK legal standards. The role involves reviewing legal documentation, supporting contract management, advising on compliance issues, and assisting teams such as HR, Marketing, and Funding to uphold required legal frameworks. This is a fantastic opportunity for a legally trained individual seeking to apply their knowledge in a purposeful, community-led environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Legal Compliance & Advisory:

• Assist in ensuring that projects, policies, and operations are legally compliant with up-to-date UK legislation and regulatory standards.

• Provide legal support in reviewing and interpreting organisational contracts and documents.

• Work with HR to review onboarding documentation and volunteering agreements.

Cross-Departmental Collaboration:

• Offer legal guidance to teams across Marketing, Funding, HR, and Finance to support compliant decision-making.

• Ensure all documentation and activities across teams are aligned with internal legal standards.

Contract Management & Documentation:

• Support the creation, organisation, and maintenance of contracts and legal documents.Assist in ensuring all terms and conditions are clearly communicated and upheld.

Research & Reporting:

• Conduct legal research as needed to support internal inquiries and programme development.

• Prepare reports or summaries for leadership as requested.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Degree in Law or equivalent legal qualification (or significant progress toward one).

Experience:

• Experience or strong knowledge of legal documentation, UK employment law, or contract management.

• (Desirable) Experience in a legal assistant or paralegal capacity.

Skills:

• Excellent legal research, writing, and document-review skills.

• Good understanding of UK legal frameworks relevant to nonprofit organisations.

• Strong time-management and organisation skills.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and demonstrate high professional integrity.

• Excellent communication and collaboration abilities.

Benefits:

• Contribute your legal expertise to a culturally rich and community-driven project.

• Gain experience applying legal knowledge within a real-world, cross-functional environment.

• Collaborate with a diverse team and support meaningful social change.

• Flexible working hours and full remote access.

• Local travel reimbursement (when applicable for in-person meetings or events).

Equality Statement

Quilombo UK is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment. We promote equal opportunities in line with the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated, and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

"We are looking for 3 candidates to join our volunteer enhanced professional development programme and gain real world experience in your chosen field). While we only have 3 vacancies available through this programme, other options are available if your skills match our criteria".

We are a Kingston-based social marketing enterprise using creative thinking to build community cohesion.

We aim to attract knowledgeable individuals encouraging different cultures to unite which enables us to share and celebrate essential lessons.

Partnering with local organisations, we put on programmes of training, workshops and other events that promote unity and tolerance.

We conduct research to support our cause to challenge preconceptions around race and stereotyping. As well as delivering workshops on unconscious bias in the workplace.

The Personal Assistant role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to:

• Gain experience in the Third Sector.
• Develop their skills and management experience; or just simply 'give something back to their community'.

The role provides you with flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary, specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

Main Responsibilities

• Managing organisation of meetings and appointment
• Organising events and conferences
• Managing databases
• Implementing and maintaining procedures and administrative systems
• Liaising with staff
• Miscellaneous tasks to support the team.

General tasks

• Contribute to staff meetings and other internal meetings with views and suggestions etc.

Essential:

• You will need to have good written skills.
• Well-organised, proactive, and able to deliver tasks efficiently.
• Good time management
• To show professionalism at all levels and in all environments
• Strong team player
• Ability to work independently and ask for clarification when needed.
• Able to participate at least 12 hours a week (2 days, 6 hours each day)

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Excel.

The Professional Development Programme with Quilombo UK runs over a period of 16 weeks, is UNPAID and requires a minimum of 12 hours of commitment per week across Monday and Friday.

Upon successful application, our HR team will contact you to arrange an interview. Following a successful interview, we'll initiate the onboarding process by sending you the necessary documents. Once your onboarding and identification documents are received and verified, you'll be invited to a 6-hour HR and System Induction. Subsequently, you'll meet with your Head of Department or Assistant Manager for your First Day.

Job Types: Part-time, Volunteer

Expected hours: No less than 12 per week

Benefits: Work from home

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Remote

Job Title: Bid Writer Assistant                                                                         

Reports To: Department Manager 

Location: Remote

Employment Type: Volunteer (12 hours/week for 6 months)

About the Project – “Solta o Jogo”
“Solta o Jogo” is a vibrant cultural competition and festival celebrating Brazilian heritage through Capoeira, music, dance, acrobatics, and a Brazilian arts & crafts fair. Hosted at Kingston University Townhouse, the event invites the community to participate in free performances, workshops, and exhibitions promoting cross-cultural understanding.

As part of this initiative, we are seeking a Bid Writer to support Quilombo UK in securing vital funding and resources to further our mission. This remote volunteer role is ideal for someone who is passionate about community impact, writing, and making a meaningful difference in the Third Sector. You'll work with a supportive team, gain hands-on experience in funding applications, and help shape the sustainability of impactful community programmes.

Position Overview:
The Bid Writer Assistant plays a key role in researching, drafting, and editing compelling proposals and funding applications for various projects run by Quilombo UK. The role involves close collaboration with department leads, collecting relevant data, and ensuring submissions align with organisational goals and funder expectations. It offers the flexibility to work independently, with the support of experienced professionals and tailored training where required.

Key Responsibilities:

Proposal & Bid Development:

• Research, draft, and edit funding proposals tailored to specific grants, donors, and partners.

• Review and refine existing proposals to ensure clarity, compliance, and impact.

• Collaborate with internal teams to gather relevant content, project insights, and financial information for bids.

• Develop supporting documents and presentations to accompany applications.

Strategic Input & Collaboration:

• Contribute to the bid strategy, suggesting creative and relevant ideas aligned with organisational goals.

• Maintain and manage a structured “bid plan” with timelines, approval processes, and submission deadlines.

• Liaise with HR, Finance, Marketing, and Project teams to align bid content with current projects and strategic direction.

Reporting & Organisation:

• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of bid statuses.

• Organise bid-related documentation, supporting strong internal knowledge management.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in English, Communications, Business, or related fields.

Experience:

• Prior experience writing funding proposals or grant applications.

• Familiarity with fundraising, community initiatives, or nonprofit funding is desirable.

Skills:

• Strong written communication and persuasive writing skills.

• High attention to detail, organisation, and ability to meet tight deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word; Excel knowledge is a plus.

• Confidence in researching, planning, and collaborating across teams.

• Ability to work independently and maintain professionalism and confidentiality.

Benefits:

• Gain real-world experience in nonprofit fundraising and proposal writing.

• Work with a collaborative and values-driven team.

• Receive feedback and development opportunities in bid strategy and funding.

• Build a strong portfolio of written proposals and funding successes.

• Flexible working hours with full remote access.

• Reimbursement of travel expenses if attending occasional in-person meetings.

Equality Statement

Quilombo UK is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment. We promote equal opportunities in line with the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated, and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.