Community volunteer volunteer roles in barnet, buckinghamshire

Do you want to join an organisation committed to addressing low literacy and numeracy?

Volunteers are essential to Shannon Trust and bring their energy, ideas and skills to train mentors in prisons, support learners in the community and enhance our business support team.

As a prison reading coach your role will be at the heart of our organisation as you support our learners alongside our Shannon Trust prison facilitator in HMP Bedford. There may be some additional preparation and/ or administrative tasks in between volunteering days at the prison.

Our volunteers nurture the growth of the Shannon Trust in their prison. They help unlock the power of reading by delivering training sessions and offering ongoing advice, guidance and support through meetings.

Lead Volunteer

Mind Retail

About the role

Without the help and support we receive from our Lead Volunteers and volunteer teams we wouldn’t be successful at what we do. Our Lead Volunteers play a key role by supporting the shop management team with the day to day running and management of our shops - helping us to raise crucial funds from the sale of pre-loved, donated stock to fund Mind's vital mental health support services.

Our shops are vibrant hubs in local communities across England and Wales. In our Lead Volunteer role, you’ll play a key part in building this community, helping to create a culture where every person is valued and supported - and where people have fun!

You can gain a wide variety of knowledge, skills and experience by becoming one of our valued Lead Volunteers, including:

· Experience working as part of, and leading, a diverse team

· Shop management, retail management and key holder experience

· Opportunities to improve your management, leadership and interpersonal skills

· Stock organisation, processing, pricing and merchandising skills

· Cash handling skills, including management cash functions

· Understanding of sales information, including takings

· Commercial knowledge and skills

· Understanding of policies and procedures

· Administrative skills

· IT skills

· Additional learning and development opportunities, including your own eLearning account with access to personal and professional development courses

Our Lead Volunteer roles are also flexible, so they're perfect for fitting in around your commitments. We value any time that you can give us, so whether it’s a few hours a week or a few days – we’d love to hear from you!

We need great people like you to help us in the fight for mental health. Will you join us?

Click on the role profile to find out more about our Lead Volunteer role and read on to hear some stories from our existing Lead Volunteers!

About You

• Commitment to our values & behaviours
• Enthusiastic and committed to achieving shop targets
• Flexible and adaptable approach
• Ability to work as a team and on your own initiative
• Able to build good working relationships
• Ability to work within Mind Retail’s policies and procedures
• Willingness to learn
• Good customer service skills
• Good communication skills

About Mind Retail

Mind Retail are a network of almost 200 shops across England and Wales, generating a net income of around £21 million per year. We have ambitious plans to grow over the next few years and we're going to be fighting for mental health in a way we never have before. We won't stop until everyone with a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve.

Safer Recruitment at Mind Retail

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our employees and volunteers and we expect anyone working or volunteering with us to share this commitment. This role may involve the supervision of young volunteers who are under 18. Because of this, the minimum age for this role is 18 and under our Safer Recruitment Policy, you’ll also be required to agree to an enhanced DBS check.

Our Commitment

We embrace the different perspectives that each of us bring. We want our staff and volunteers to be authentic and bring their whole selves to work. We want Mind to be a workplace that truly reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people we support. Where everyone is appreciated – regardless of race, gender, age, religion, identity and experience.

Hear from some of our existing Lead Volunteers…

Stuart, Lead Volunteer at our North Shields Mind Shop

Why did you want to become a Lead Volunteer?

I chose to volunteer at Mind, specifically because of the cause – I support the charity in what they want to achieve. Mind also supported me through the lockdown period during the pandemic, which I found very isolating.

I’ve volunteered for Mind for 20 years - I started volunteering for Mind in 2005. At the time, I had a full-time job, but I wanted to try volunteering. I’ve volunteered in a number of Mind shops, including Wallsend, Whitley Bay, Gateshead (which was where I became a Lead Volunteer) and finally, North Shields.

I wanted to become a Lead Volunteer to gain more experience, which I can then pass onto others. I now undertake key holder duties in my current shop. It was a little scary to begin with, but there was plenty of support from the wider region and I feel really proud to now be doing the role.

What knowledge and skills have you gained or developed whilst being in the Lead Volunteer role?

I’ve developed my technology skills – I’ve learnt how to use the till, how to use the computer including emails and Microsoft Teams, how to complete eLearning and the new Gift Aid hub. I struggled a bit before with technology, so it’s really helped me to be exposed to it more. I’ve also developed cash handling skills and how to deal with external contractors. My confidence has really grown and I’m also now able to cover local stores too!

What do you enjoy most about being a Lead Volunteer?

I really enjoy giving amazing customer service and working with the team of staff and volunteers – we have lots of fun whilst we work! The shop has a great atmosphere. My Shop Manager has said she couldn’t do without me! I would really recommend for anyone to come and volunteer with Mind – it’s a great way to meet new people.

Lead Volunteer at our Turnham Green Mind Shop

Why did you want to become a Lead Volunteer?

I wanted to become a Lead Volunteer because I wanted to take on more responsibilities and keep myself as productive as possible. By taking on more responsibilities, I’m able to support the wider team with certain activities within the shop. It’s also helped me become less focused on my myself and my own problems. I suffer from low self-esteem and felt that by becoming a Lead Volunteer, it would help strengthen my self-worth.

What knowledge and skills have you gained or developed whilst being in the Lead Volunteer role?

As I have never worked in retail, becoming a Lead Volunteer has given me more insight into how the retail industry and how Mind Retail operates day-to-day. I have become more patient and not as isolated as before. My communication skills have improved too.

What do you enjoy most about being a Lead Volunteer?

Certain customers are confiding in me about their mental health. I find it great to be able to assist and provide some support. We all just need an ear to listen…

It’s also great to be able to make decisions too. The team I work with at the shop are very supportive and understanding – they look after me and I feel like a belong to a small family. The team really understand that our shops are not just shops! They’re a place where everyone, including those with mental health problems, can feel safe and listened to.

Volunteer Content Writer Wanted

Are you a storyteller at heart, with a talent for crafting compelling narratives?

The Principality of Scotia is on an exciting journey, and The Scotia Foundation is seeking a passionate volunteer Content Writer to help us tell our story. This is a unique opportunity to shape the voice of a pioneering micronation and capture the imagination of a global audience.

Your words will be vital in communicating our mission, progress, and culture to the world.

The Role

As our volunteer Content Writer, you will be responsible for creating engaging written content that inspires and informs our community and beyond.

Your key duties will include:

• Drafting articles for our website and newsletter to update our community on key initiatives and milestones.

• Creating compelling copy for our social media channels to engage with our audience.

• Developing persuasive text for recruitment drives and fundraising campaigns.

• Helping to define and maintain a consistent and professional voice for the Foundation.

Who We're Looking For

We're seeking a creative and reliable individual who:

• Has excellent writing and editing skills with strong attention to detail.

• Is able to adapt their writing style for different platforms and audiences.

• Is passionate about The Principality of Scotia’s vision and can translate it into powerful words.

What You'll Gain

This is an unparalleled opportunity to make a tangible impact on a unique project. You will:

• Build an impressive portfolio by writing for a one-of-a-kind micronation-building project.

• Gain experience in a wide range of content styles, from long-form articles to social media copy.

• Work with a dedicated team of volunteers who are just as passionate as you are.

Ready to help us write our history?

How to Apply

To apply, please send a brief message outlining your interest and any relevant experience or writing samples.

We look forward to reading your story.

THE

SCOTIA

FOUNDATION

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

Our cat admissions volunteers ensure the smooth running of our admissions process, helping our volunteer groups and teams admit cats into our care in the most effective and stress-free way possible for both people and cats. This role is undertaken from your own home. This could be the perfect volunteer role if you have administration experience, a passion for cats, or both!

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection, we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help.

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:

• Responding to email and telephone enquiries regarding cats coming into care
• Managing the cat waiting list and prioritising accordingly
• Liaising with other volunteers, employees, local vets and members of the public
• Using our administrative systems to record cats coming into care

Have people ever said you're a great listener, or that your calm presence is comforting?

Marie Curie is looking for kind-hearted, everyday people to join our Companion Team as a befriender volunteer within their own local communities across Bournemouth, offering support to those living with a terminal diagnosis.

Make a meaningful difference and visit someone regularly in their home, have a chat, be a friendly face and offer support simply by being there.

What you’ll be doing

• Offer conversation and listen
• Help someone express what truly matters to them
• Pass along helpful information
• Offer kindness and reassurance to family members or carers before and after bereavement

Why you’d be a wonderful fit:

• Patient and a thoughtful listener
• Kind and courteous towards others
• Calm and grounded during sensitive moments
• Happy to give 3 hours a week to make a difference
• Confident using email and completing brief visit notes

What you can expect:

• Encouragement and support every step of the way
• Genuine appreciation for your time
• Travel and expenses reimbursed monthly
• Access to exclusive discounts on retail, travel, entertainment, and more
• Peer Support sessions

Apply now or capture more information by clicking on the blue "Redirect to recruiter" button

Ref: 6233

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

Key activities

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

Person Specification

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

Join FARA, a charity with over 30 years of experience and 40 charity shops across London. Our Fulham store is looking for a dedicated Book Volunteer to assist us on a Sunday. By volunteering with us, you'll not only support our charitable work but also contribute to creating a positive experience for our community of customers. You'll also play a key role in ensuring that items FARA cannot sell are responsibly redirected, helping us further our commitment to a sustainable economy.

The Role:

As a volunteer, your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Sorting book donations
• Pricing books
• Assisting with the placement of books on shelves
• Identifying valuable and collectable books
• Creating engaging book displays
• Greeting and assisting customers
• Till operations

The Volunteer:

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has a genuine passion for books (and perhaps belongs to a book club)
• Is friendly, approachable, and enthusiastic
• Previous experience working with books is a plus, but not essential
• Ideally connected with the local area

What’s in it for You?

At FARA, our shops are run by welcoming, collaborative teams where everyone works together. You'll gain valuable experience, working alongside supportive colleagues who help each other develop, challenge, and celebrate each other's contributions. Full training will be provided, and we offer a positive and safe environment where you can learn and enhance your skills.

Your Time:

Our shop operates from 10:00 to 18:00, and we're looking for someone who can volunteer for a minimum of 4 hours on a Sunday.

If this sounds like the role for you, please click the "Apply" button.

FARA is committed to creating an inclusive environment. If you need any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please don't hesitate to let us know.

Finance Volunteer

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

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

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

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

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

Apply 

Read through the role description carefully

Please apply online

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

Are you passionate about communities and the voluntary sector? Do you want to use your skills, experience or lived insight to help strengthen and support Hampshire’s VCSE (Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise) sector? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

Action Hampshire is currently recruiting new trustees to join our engaged and committed Board. This is an exciting opportunity to help guide the strategic direction of a well-respected organisation that works at the heart of community support across Hampshire.

We’re proud to be two years into delivering an ambitious 3-year strategy focused on:

• Building a sustainable future
• Strengthening our identity and voice
• Fostering a supportive, inclusive workplace
• Becoming more digitally smart and connected

As a Trustee, you’ll play a vital role in helping us achieve these goals and ensuring we stay true to our mission and values.

Whether you’re an experienced Trustee or completely new to the role, what matters most to us is your enthusiasm, curiosity, and commitment to supporting communities. We’re particularly keen to hear from people with a range of experiences and backgrounds—including younger people, people from minoritised groups, and those with lived experience of the challenges our communities face.

You don’t need to know everything from day one—we’ll support you with an induction, ongoing learning, and a friendly, collaborative Board environment.

Our number one requirement is simply a commitment to Action Hampshire’s mission and values. But we would also like you to have the following:

• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort planning how the charity will deliver its charitable purpose
• Good, independent judgement
• An ability to think creatively
• A willingness to speak your mind, but listen to the views of others
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of being a Trustee (we can help you to understand that better – just ask us)
• An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
• A commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership

Brent Foodbank are looking for someone with to join the board as its new Secretary of Trustees to lead on the administrative duties of the food bank and Board of Trustees.

Key tasks

Secretary of Trustees Responsibilities:

• To ensure that there is a record of all Trustee board correspondence
• To ensure that arrangements for Trustee meetings are communicated to the rest of the board, including when and where, inviting trustees to send agenda items and providing to the board with previous meeting minutes in good time prior to the meeting.
• To ensure decisions and policy creation/adaption are clearly recorded in formal minutes, with who will do what and when as agreed by the Trustee board.
• Ensure formal minutes are taken, produced and distributed to the rest of the trustees in good time, as well as ensuring previous meeting minutes are signed by the chair once approved by the trustee board.
• To check that actions have been taken following decisions at previous meetings.
• To ensure the trustee board meets its legal obligations, including reporting, meeting charity and company law, as well as insurance requirements.
• To ensure that the annual report (to go alongside annual accounts) is produced and sent to the relevant charity regulator body (Charity Commission of England & Wales).

Key responsibilities along with the board of trustees include:

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

What are we looking for?

Our ideal candidates would demonstrate:

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

We welcome applications from new and experienced Trustees.

What difference will you make?

By leading on the administrative matters of the food bank board, you are part of providing a vital holistic support function in your local community, ensuring a dignified experience to anyone visiting, or anyone who comes into contact with Brent Foodbank.

Family Lives was formed over forty years ago by volunteers with the aim of ensuring that all parents had somewhere to turn before they reach crisis point.

We know that the right support at the right time makes all the difference.

Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling.

Purpose of the role:

To be part of a flexible team providing empathic, caring and informed support to families, carers and others who use our services.

Our volunteers take calls from parents and carers on a wide range of subjects, whether that might be issues around separation and divorce, isolation, depression, bullying and abuse, dealing with behavioural problems, etc. You can find out more about our services on our website. We are a national service with home-based call takers county wide and a call centre in Old Hatfield Hertfordshire.

Once trained volunteers sign up for a weekly 4-hour shift comprising 3 hours ‘online’ followed by a debrief session with your supervisor which can last around half to one hour.

We recruit volunteers with a range of backgrounds and experiences though we ask that volunteers have experience of parenting or working with children and young people, are good listeners and have a willingness to learn. Being remote it will be very important that you have a PC/laptop, plug in headset with microphone, good Wi-Fi and a private place to work from home. You need to be a UK resident.

Our volunteers often tell us how rewarding their time with us is.

You'll be part of a compassionate community and feel a real sense of pride for what you do. You'll meet new people, gain valuable experience, and develop your skillset. We're passionate about helping people to reach their full potential, so we'll offer you full training suitable for the role, supervision from a named member of staff, including help setting personal development goals, and opportunities to increase skills and input into practice via regular Practice Development Groups.

Our training programme is excellent and will give you the opportunity to develop the skills needed to offer empathic support and guidance to callers whatever their circumstances; all shifts are overseen by a regular shift supervisor who provides ongoing remote support.

We ask our volunteers to make a commitment of 1 year (with time off for holidays), obviously we understand that circumstances sometimes make that an impossibility but can be helpful to know at the outset that is the general expectation.

We have remote call taker training sessions that run over five sessions and is done remotely connecting you via a Microsoft Teams link. Our next training is starting in September 2025.

Module One = Tues 16th Sept

Module Two = Wed 24th Sept

Module Three = Weds 1st Oct

Module Four = Weds 8th Oct

Module Five = Wed 15th Oct

10am to 2pm

You would need to be able to attend all five sessions and be available on four occasions to listen into calls, this can be organised remotely. If you are unable to attend the training however are interested, please do apply as we run training throughout the year.

Chair of the Board of Home-Start Berkshire East

Are you our new Chair of the Board?

Can you lead a charity that supports parents of young children in east Berkshire?

Home-Start in Berkshire East is an empowering, visionary, family support service built on trusted relationships and rooted in the community. We are a local charity, also part of the national Home-Start network of 180 groups. Our Board of trustees is fully responsible for governing our independent organisation, which focuses support to parents with young children, through a range of volunteer and employee-supported services, primarily in the east of Berkshire.

With a turnover of £300k+ in 2024/25, we’re a medium-sized charity, with 14 paid staff and over 30 regular volunteers, offering over 3,000 volunteer hours to more than 300 families per year.

We are looking for a new Chair for our Board of Trustees, as we continue to grow after our recent merger, and as our current Chair reaches the end of her Term of Office. You’ll have a leadership background and an understanding of (charity or corporate) governance. It is vital that you are able to lead cooperatively and work with other Trustees, the CEO, our employee and volunteer team, to shape our vision and strategy. Whilst we’d appreciate some experience within the charity sector, as either a trustee, volunteer or employee, that is not absolutely vital  – we don’t want to preclude appropriate experience from other sectors that clearly fits our current and future needs.

This is a high-profile appointment, with strong commitment to the future of families and children, and an appreciation of Home-Start’s work both important.

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

The focus of a trustee is strategic, and our Chair will not be expected to get involved in the organisation’s operations on a day-to-day basis; however, regular contact and liaison with other trustees and our CEO is expected.  

We ask for at least eight hours per month, rising up to sixteen hours per month at times of year-end and the AGM, plus other occasional promotional & celebratory events. You will need good access to digital communications, as much of our charity’s business is run that way.

How to apply  

This appointment is being managed for us by inVOLve Community Services, a charity-support organisation, who offer a no-obligation discussion. A detailed Chair’s Recruitment Information Pack can be made available to you upon request.

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

Your CV and Supporting Statement will be read by our existing trustees; an informal discussion, followed by a more-formal interview can be arranged as soon as mutually convenient 

I need to know more 

Contact Mike Allen via Apply Now below for more information and arrange to have a no-obligation initial informal discussion (Teams/Zoom), explanation about this important role and any assistance in your application.

We are currently recruiting for a Fundraisers for our newly formed not for profit which provides fully qualified mental assistance dogs for those in need across Northamptonshire.

Ideally this would be a great role for someone who looking to gain some experience having been out of the business for a while and looking for someone to grow with us or someone is newly qualified in this area

You will have the platform to take control and create your own success story.

Essential to the role

ü  Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

ü  Satisfactory references

ü  Has working knowledge of word, Outlook

Desirable

ü  Educated to GCSE level with English and Maths

Role and Responsibilities

· Have experience of fundraising would be ideal.

· Must have strong verbal and written communications skills.

· You will be measured against agreed key performance indicators.

· You should be able to work with all other areas of the organisation from volunteers fundraising, to corporate functions.

· Strong time management skills and manage own administration with a keen eye for attention to detail.

· Be honest, reliable and knowledgeable about our services and how we support the local community.

CleanupUK is a small charity with big aspirations. We use the activity of litter-picking to support people living in disadvantaged areas to form litter-picking groups – not only to keep their neighbourhood clean but also to bring the community together.

Now in its 18th year, CleanupUK is embarking on a growth phase. As a result, we would like to attract people to CleanupUK’s board as trustees who have varied and diverse backgrounds and experience. You will likely feel passionate about the issue of litter and also about its impact on communities.

We are currently looking to recruit a trustee with senior fundraising experience who is prepared to devote their time and energy to helping CleanupUK grow into the next stage.We require the succesful individual to have a good understanding of a broad range of fundraising channels, including trusts and foundations, statutory and Lottery, corporate partnerships and other channels that a growing charity might wish to make use of.

Please see the role description and application details on CleanupUK’s website by clicking on the Recruiter button at the top of the page.

This is a volunteer role and is UK based.

We look forward to hearing from you.

The closing date for applications is : Monday 29th September 2025

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