Community volunteers volunteer roles in burnham, buckinghamshire

Educators and facilitators wanted to help East London Waterworks Park deliver its environmental learning goals.

East London Waterworks Park is a volunteer-led charity that has won a 2024 New London Architecture award and raised £2m towards buying land from the Department for Education to transform the 14-acre Thames Water Depot on Lea Bridge Road on the border of Waltham Forest and Hackney, into a new biodiverse park with natural swimming ponds, forest schools and community spaces. 

We are looking for educator and facilitator volunteers to participate in our community-led working group, who are collaborating with schools, universities and youth groups that help the design of the park. 

Examples of projects are: 

• collaborating on nature walk activities for schools
• supporting university students interviewing teachers
• creating lesson plans to co-design the park. 

Schools, universities and youth groups we've collaborated with include:

• Buxton School, Leytonstone
• Kingsmead School, Enfield 
• UCL 
• Royal College of Art
• University of Westminster 
• Project Zero
• Voyage Youth 
• Loyola University Chicago 
• Vanderbilt University Nashville. 

We're looking for people to lead on these projects and facilitate the direction of the learning working group.

The Learning Circle currently meets monthly on a Wednesday evening at 8pm for an hour on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

You should be an experienced teacher, educational consultant, forest school leader, training and development specialist, learning designer, facilitator or any other kind of role creating learning projects, programmes and experiences. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Your support will help young people and learners improve their environmental knowledge of design and research as well as contributing to our community-owned park. This will in turn provide a sense of stewardship over the land once the park is created and student's ideas have been built into the park. 

Creating learning projects with educational institutions will also help our charity with the strategy to buy the land through showing the value of our environmental education programme before we create the park. 

Join The Kids Network to Support Children in Your Hammersmith & Fulham Community! 

Are you looking to donate your skills, give back to your community, or spend your time in a meaningful way? The Kids Network gives you the chance to make a real difference in a child’s life while developing your own skills and building connections. Support a Little Londoner in Hammersmith & Fulham by helping them grow in confidence. Just a bit of your time each week can bring creativity, share laughter, and make a positive impact!

If you already have experience in mentoring, education, psychology, or related fields, The Kids Network provides an ideal platform to use and donate your skills. By becoming a mentor, you can actively practice your learned skills and see the direct impact of your efforts on the children in your local community and provide support to those who need it most.

Why Choose The Kids Network?

• Active Skill Application: Our programme allows you to apply your expertise in real-world settings, enhancing your practical experience.
• Structured Support: We provide comprehensive training and ongoing support, ensuring you can make the most of your skills.
• Proven Impact: With 100% of children reporting increased wellbeing, you’ll see tangible impact from your mentoring.

Impact on Mentees

• Building Confidence: Help children in your community develop self-assurance and resilience.
• Creating Opportunities: Provide guidance that helps young people navigate their challenges and seize opportunities.
• Strengthening Community: Contribute to the overall wellbeing of your community, fostering a sense of belonging and support.

Connection

• Personal Fulfilment: Experience the joy and satisfaction of making a positive impact on a child’s life.
• Meaningful Relationships: Form a strong bond with your mentee, providing guidance and support through fun and engaging activities.
• Community Engagement: Participate in mentor meet-ups and group activities, connecting with other mentors and mentees.

Your Role as a Mentor

As a mentor, you will hold weekly one-on-one sessions of 1-3 hours for the duration of 12 months. You will help build confidence, resilience, and help your mentee manage feelings through a series of fun experiences and activities. Whether you’re playing games or discussing goals, you’ll be making a difference in a child’s life by developing the tools for a positive future.

 Join Us Today

Whether you're wanting to use your expertise, eager to give back and make an impact, or looking for purpose and connection, The Kids Network offers a meaningful way to contribute. Volunteer with us and become part of a community dedicated to fostering positive futures for children and mentors alike.

For more information and to apply, visit The Kids Network website

Unify Giving is an innovative charitable technology platform that connects donors directly with verified individuals in need. Our mobile app enables anyone to donate directly to beneficiariesm ensuring 100% of donations reach recipients while preserving their dignity and choice. We partner with established charities who verify legitimate need.

Following our successful Newport pilot, we're expanding across the UK to help more individuals experiencing hidden homelessness and other forms of vulnerability.

Role Overview

As a Charity Liaison Officer volunteer, you'll be at the heart of our mission to bridge the gap between donors and those in need. This purpose-driven role focuses on establishing and nurturing partnerships with charitable organisations across the UK, enabling more vulnerable individuals to receive direct support through our platform.

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference while gaining valuable experience in the charity tech sector. You'll represent Unify Giving to potential charity partners, help onboard new beneficiaries, and ensure our existing partners are up-to-date with platform developments that can enhance their work.

Key Responsibilities

• Relationship Building: Develop and maintain strong relationships with charity partners who can verify and support potential beneficiaries.
• Partnership Outreach: Identify and approach suitable charitable organisations working with homeless individuals and other vulnerable populations.
• Onboarding Support: Guide charity partners through the process of bringing verified beneficiaries onto the Unify Giving platform.
• Training & Education: Provide training to charity staff on how to use the Unify Giving platform effectively.
• Impact Communication: Gather and share success stories (while maintaining privacy) to demonstrate the effectiveness of our direct giving model.
• Platform Ambassador: Keep charity partners informed about new features and improvements to the Unify Giving platform.
• Feedback Collection: Gather insights from charity partners to help us continuously improve our service.

What We're Looking For

• Passion for addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable individuals
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to explain technology in accessible, non-technical terms
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently
• Experience in the charity sector, social work, or community engagement (desirable but not essential)
• Understanding of homelessness issues and challenges in the UK (desirable)
• Reliable access to transportation for partner visits when needed
• Comfortable using digital platforms and mobile applications

Time Commitment

We're looking for volunteers who can commit to approximately 5-10 hours per week, with flexibility around your schedule. This can include:

• Virtual meetings with potential and existing charity partners
• Occasional in-person visits to charities in your region (dependent on distance/ travel expenses covered)
• Regular check-ins with the Unify Giving team

What You'll Gain

• Make a direct impact on addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable individuals
• Develop professional skills in partnership building, communication, and the charity tech sector
• Gain insight into innovative solutions to social problems
• Be part of a passionate, mission-driven team
• Receive training and support from Unify Giving
• Opportunity to build your professional network across the charity sector
• Letter of recommendation upon successful completion of a 3-month volunteer period

Locations

We're particularly seeking volunteers in the following areas:

• London
• Newport
• Manchester
• Bristol
• Brighton & Hove
• Edinburgh
• Cardiff
• Other major UK cities (please specify your location when applying)

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from those with lived experience of homelessness or other forms of social exclusion.

Unify Giving connects those who want to help with those who need support, ensuring direct impact while preserving dignity and choice.

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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 Group Coordinator for our Spelthorne, Staines and District group. As our local Group Coordinator you’ll take the lead in making sure your local group works as effectively as possible. You’ll recruit, induct and support other group volunteers to make sure your group’s activities meet the needs of your local MS community. You can see a video about one of our Group Coordinators here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your leadership, management, communication, organisation and motivation skills. 

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need around 5 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 Spelthorne, Staines and District area to carry out this role.

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

We have 250 local groups which play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS across the UK. 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 Group Coordinator for our West Hertfordshire group. As our local Group Coordinator you’ll take the lead in making sure your local group works as effectively as possible. You’ll recruit, induct and support other group volunteers to make sure your group’s activities meet the needs of your local MS community. You can see a video about one of our Group Coordinators here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your leadership, management, communication, organisation and motivation skills. 

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need around 5 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 West Hertfordshire area to carry out this role.

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

We have 250 local groups which play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS across the UK. 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 Group Coordinator for our Brent group. As our local Group Coordinator you’ll take the lead in making sure your local group works as effectively as possible. You’ll recruit, induct and support other group volunteers to make sure your group’s activities meet the needs of your local MS community. You can see a video about one of our Group Coordinators here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your leadership, management, communication, organisation and motivation skills. 

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need around 5 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 Brent area to carry out this role.

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

This is a fantastic role to get involved locally and be at the forefront of solutions to help save nature in the Exeter area.

Join us as the volunteer leader of the RSPB Exeter & District Local Group and lead a group of enthusiastic members who are passionate about supporting the RSPB and exploring local wildlife. The group runs a full programme of activities, from outdoor walks and indoor talks to fundraising events. As the group leader, you will primarily lead the group and oversee the programme. You will be part of a friendly and helpful committee that share the same vision of bringing members closer to nature. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to use your leadership skills to make a valuable contribution to the work of the RSPB.

If you want to have an informal chat about the role, please ask for Richard, the current group leader. We’d love to hear from you.

About Us

My Black Dog is a charity that offers anonymous, peer to peer mental health support through our web-chat service. We are committed to making a positive impact on mental health in the UK as we tackle an epidemic that millions of people face.

We were founded on the motto "talk to someone who gets it". We want to connect people who share lived experiences to provide an empathetic, non-judgmental space where everybody understands how it feels to experience mental health struggles.

Position Overview

Our web-chat service is run by our Volunteer Pack, each of whom have their own lived experience of mental health challenges. In addition, each shift has a 'Leader' and a 'Mentor'. These are Volunteers who carry out specific roles during the shift and, together, ensure its success:

• Leaders - Managers of the shift. There to ensure the shift runs as it should. They support and guide Volunteers through chats and follow safeguarding processes when an alert is raised. They escalate safeguarding alerts to the shift’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (a trained professional). They also complete a 'Shift Handover' document once the shift is completed.
• Mentors - There to support and guide Volunteers through chats. Will take over from the Leader if there are safeguarding issues that need the Leader's attention and/or if the Leader needs a break.

As My Black Dog looks to expand our opening hours, we are looking to recruit additional Leaders who can run shifts and provide cover when necessary.

Leaders will be assigned a shift based on your availability and preference. The expectation is that Leaders and Mentors will form a ‘pair’ and, together, will do one shift at the same time each week. This is to provide stability, predictability and to encourage community-building between Volunteers. Shifts are usually 3 hours long. We may ask you to cover another shift when we are short, but you will never do more than 6 hours per week.

Training will be provided and you will be supported on shift by a Designated Safeguarding Lead, who will manage all safeguarding issues.

The work you will do as Leaders will ensure we provide the best possible service to our Guests. You will also be helping our Volunteer Pack to do what we do best: helping those in need by speaking to someone who 'gets it'.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for people who have experienced their own journey with mental health and are in a strong position to support others. We ask that our Leaders:

• Are strongly committed to helping others
• Have experienced mental health issues in order to relate to those seeking help
• Are collaborative and enjoy working with others
• Are encouraging and supportive
• Are organised and can monitor several things at once
• Can remain calm and focused during busy times and when safeguarding alerts are raised
• Are 18 years and over 
• Can commit the time to a regular weekly shift

We are particularly interested in hearing from people who are available to run a shift on the following days/hours:

• Monday to Sunday, 5pm-7pm
• Thursday to Saturday, 7pm-10pm

Role Responsibilities

1. Supervise and support Volunteers whilst on shift with general enquiries, positive feedback and signposting.
2. Assist with general volunteering enquiries whilst on shift. Provide time for guidance, instruction and de-briefing for Volunteers if required.
3. Follow Leaders processes including unexpected absence reporting, Volunteer check-in and check-out, and completing Shift Handovers.
4. Monitor web-chat conversations and ensure all chats are tagged.
5. Maintain ability to listen, remain calm and provide intervention if necessary.
6. Be able to have difficult and often complex conversations about mental health, including Guests experiencing crisis and first-stage intervention support.
7. Work alongside the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) when safeguarding risks are identified.
8. Exercise discretion in handling confidential situations and information, conveying sensitive information in a timely manner to necessary individuals.
9. Provide written follow up of shifts via handover, ensuring all necessary information is handed over at the end of the shift.
10. Adhere to all standards, policies and procedures of My Black Dog.

Please note: An Enhanced DBS Certificate is required for this role. If you do not have one, My Black Dog will arrange the DBS Check for you.

www.myblackdog.co

Youth Helpers work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By supporting our Youth Leaders to deliver a sessions across our range of programmes. In this role, you'll support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Helpers 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. 

We meet weekly during term time on a Wednesday. Outside of our weekly meetings, there are optional opportunities to attend training, events, and other youth activities, including summer camps.

Pursuing the role

• Welcome Event (Induction) - Monday 2nd June 2025

Closing date for these opportunities is: Wednesday 23rd July 2025

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.

We meet weekly during term time on a Wednesday. Outside of our weekly meetings, there are optional opportunities to attend training, events, and other youth activities, including summer camps. 

Pursuing the role

• Welcome Event (Induction) : 09/06/2025
• Training for role : Safeguarding Level 2 Youth Leader Training

Closing date for these opportunities is: 23/07/2025

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. 

This role is assisting in leading a youth unit in the Dacorum St John Network

Pursuing the role.

Closing date for these opportunities is: Wednesday 14th August 2025.

=To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

We have 250 local groups which play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS across the UK. 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 Group Coordinator for our East Berkshire group. As our local Group Coordinator you’ll take the lead in making sure your local group works as effectively as possible. You’ll recruit, induct and support other group volunteers to make sure your group’s activities meet the needs of your local MS community. You can see a video about one of our Group Coordinators here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your leadership, management, communication, organisation and motivation skills. 

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need around 5 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 East Berkshire area to carry out this role.

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

The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is one of London’s leading producing houses. We produce world class theatre from the heart of Hammersmith. The Lyric is committed to being part of the community, and we believe passionately in excellence and integrity in everything we do.

The Lyric’s Nomination Committee is seeking a new Chair for Lyric Hammersmith Enterprises Ltd, who will also serve as a Trustee of Lyric. The subsidiary is governed by a non-executive Board of Directors, chaired by this role.  Lyric Hammersmith Enterprises is responsible the Lyric’s non-charitable trading operations including catering, hires and events. Our commercial income is critical to helping the Lyric achieve its artistic and charitable objectives.

We are looking for a Chair with influence and authority, strategic thinking and sound judgement with particular expertise in commercial operations and income generation. You will need to share a passion for our artistic work and our commitment to being an equal, diverse, inclusive and environmentally sustainable organisation.

This role will serve as a Trustee to the charity, joining the existing Board for an initial three-year term. Trustees support the Chair, Lorraine Heggessey, and offer their expertise and guidance to the Executive Team.

We are particularly interested in those who have a strong connection with West London.

About Us

Maytree addresses a critical gap in suicide prevention, focusing on those in acute, pre-suicidal states where support from helplines, GPs, therapists or charitable organisations fails. For individuals overwhelmed by suicidal intent, emergency services like A&E often exacerbate fear and shame, leaving them with few options to safely disclose their distress.

Maytree’s vision is to fill the gap, by offering compassionate care and continuous containment in a collaborative community.  A sanctuary for respite: calm, safe, warm, friendly, and nurturing. Non-medical, non-judgemental. A place and a time to talk. One that rekindles hope and self-esteem, new insights, restores identity, belonging, and relationship networks from the meltdown of crisis.

Its model turns a high-risk crisis into one of lower risk, one that is manageable. And with proven good outcomes, often a transformative experience.

Background to the role

Maytree closed its doors in March 2023 following management and governance issues. Founder Michael Knight, who had previously stepped away, returned to take over the operations alongside a group of trustees appointed by him and his wife Judith. 

Maytree re-opened in April 2025 with a new board of trustees, who have appointed an operations team, defined the model and service matrix, and overseen the renovation of the house. The husband-wife pair, serving as co-chief executives, are preparing to transition out of their roles. In addition to recruiting a new Chief Executive Officer and Chair, adding a trustee with some financial experience is important for maintaining the charity's short-term stability and guiding its strategic direction.

Main Responsibilities

• Compliance with Company’s Act and Charity Commission responsibilities.
• Developing and agreeing strategy and plans as put forward by CEO/Chair.
• The appointment and accountability/performance/remuneration of executive leadership.
• Overseeing and ensuring that appropriate policies are in place for management of all aspects of risk.
• Chair a Board Sub-Committee on Finance to approve Accounts and liaise with the auditors as appropriate.
• Oversee that financial controls and systems are fit for purpose, advise on presentation to Trustees of annual Accounts and ensure that timely and appropriate budgets, forecasts, management and financial accounts are provided to Trustees.
• Accepting nomination as a signature on the charity’s bank mandates.
• Overseeing/advising on banking arrangements and best deployment of cash reserves
• Monitor cash reserves and ensure they are properly managed and placed where they can get the best possible return.

Person Specification

• Experience with financial reporting, whether in a private or charity sector context. You do not have to be a chartered accountant.
• Comfortable leading meetings about finance issues.
• Able to think strategically and innovatively about the future direction of Maytree.
• Passionately committed to mental health provision and suicide prevention.
• Fully committed to the charity’s ‘no blame’ culture, approaching problem solving in a supportive, constructive and transparent way.
• Fully committed to Maytree’s values: trust, respect, openness, empathy, equity, non-judgement and inclusiveness.

Diversity and inclusion 

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability, and potential. Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustments so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

How to apply

Eastside People is supporting Maytree in the recruitment of these roles. 

Please apply by submitting your CV and a cover letter both in Word doc. format, which should indicate why you are interested in applying for the particular role and how you meet the selection criteria.

The closing date for applications is Monday 23rd June and our candidate assessment schedule is as follows:

• EP screening interviews and informal conversations carried out through the recruitment process with final interviews taking place by Friday 4th July.
• Formal interviews with the Maytree board in the week commencing 7th July.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.