Community volunteers volunteer roles in redbridge, london

Would you like to work at the frontline of suicide prevention? 

At our sanctuary (Finsbury Park, North London) for those in suicidal crisis, we offer a potentially transformative experience with a once-only 4-night stay at our non-medical, family-style house. Through respite, time and space for reflection and compassionate and nurturing care, our Volunteer Befrienders and Lead Befrienders support an opportunity for the revival of hope and resilience.  

Volunteer Befrienders are key to Maytree and work alongside Lead Befrieders to provide an open and containing space for people who are feeling suicidal. Befriending is as its sounds: sitting alongside our guests as a compassionate, confidential, and non-judgemental friend. Through active listening and human warmth our volunteers enable our guests to explore their feelings and their options in their own way and in their own time. This face-to-face support is not therapy; it is about being calm and committed and not afraid of difficult subjects, including suicide.  

Prospect Research Volunteer

About Plantlife 

Plantlife is the global charity working to enhance, protect, restore and celebrate the wild plants and fungi that are essential to all life on earth. With two in five plant species at risk of extinction, biodiversity loss is now the fastest it’s ever been and Plantlife’s work has never been more vital. Plantlife champions and accelerates conservation action, working at the heart of a global network of individuals and organisations, to influence and inspire landowners and land managers, public and private bodies, governments and local communities. As time begins to run out, Plantlife’s position as the global voice for wild plants and fungi will help to bring lasting and positive change to our natural world – for everyone’s sake. 

About the role 

We are seeking a self-motivated and detail-oriented Prospect Research Volunteer to support our fundraising efforts by identifying and evaluating funding opportunities from trusts, foundations, and grant-making bodies. This role is vital to helping us grow our income and deliver impactful conservation projects. 

Note - In line with GDPR best practice, volunteers who we offer the opportunity to, will be asked to provide details of two suitable referees.  Please ensure you have known referees for more than 6 months and they are not a partner, close relative, or Plantlife employee. Former or current work colleagues, friends, and neighbours that have known you for more than 6 months are some examples that would be fine. 

Location:  Home office.

Benefits

You will be a valuable part of our Partnerships Team and will have the support of a dedicated volunteer manager.

Volunteer Manager: Beth Webb – Partnerships Manager 

Opportunities to gain experience and skills in the following areas:  

• Insight into the fundraising and development function within a conservation charity. 

• Experience in research and prospect development. 

• Opportunity to contribute meaningfully to environmental conservation efforts. 

• References and recognition for your contribution. 

• Flexible volunteering schedule tailored to your availability. 

• You will be able to develop your knowledge of conservation of wild plants, lichens and fungi. 

• As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to take part in training and development opportunities as well as our programme of member and volunteer events.

Skills / experience / interests required for the role: 

• Strong on-line research and analytical skills. 

• Excellent written communication and ability to summarise complex information clearly. 

• Good organisational skills and attention to detail. 

• Ability to work independently and manage time effectively. 

• Familiarity with the charity or conservation sector is desirable, but not essential. 

• Experience with databases or online research tools (e.g., 360Giving, Charity Commission, FundsOnline) is a plus. 

• Interest in and natural enthusiasm for conservation, wild plants, and fungi, and an affinity with the aims of Plantlife 

• Access to a computer or laptop and an internet connection will be required for this role.

Time commitment: We would like a volunteer who could spend a minimum of 3 hours per week on their volunteering. This can be done flexibly around other commitments and outside of the usual 9-5 hours.

Expenses: Travel is not expected for this role, however expenses will be reimbursed for any travel we ask you to do based on public transport cost or mileage at Plantlife standard rates for volunteers. Expenses must be agreed in advance with your volunteer manager. 

Are you an Arabic speaker looking for a meaningful way to give back to your community?
We invite you to become a volunteer for our Talking Bubble Project!

Many older adults and vulnerable individuals in the UK’s Arabic-speaking community experience loneliness and isolation. By offering just a small amount of your time each week, you can make a big difference by providing companionship and a friendly voice in their native language.

What is the Talking Bubble Project?

☎︎ A phone-based service that connects volunteers with individuals who may feel isolated or lonely. Through regular phone calls, you’ll have the opportunity to build friendships, brighten someone’s day, and provide much-needed emotional support—especially for those who feel more comfortable speaking Arabic.

Why volunteer with us?

✔ Support members of the Arabic-speaking community in the UK
✔ Make a meaningful impact on someone’s life
✔ Enjoy flexible volunteering hours
✔ Receive training, ongoing support, and a reference upon completion
✔ Enhance your own sense of fulfilment and purpose

Requirements:

✔ Volunteers must complete an online Safeguarding Adults Level 2 training and undergo a DBS check—both fully paid for by the organisation.

How to get involved:

Simply apply through the CharityJob website. No previous experience is required—just a friendly, compassionate nature and a willingness to listen.

✔ Open to UK residents only.

Help us spread kindness and connection within the Arabic-speaking community across the UK!

Arts at Home brings conversations about art to people as a tool to tackle loneliness and isolation. Volunteers choose artworks in advance of each session to present to the residents, and though a small amount of preparation is required, prior knowledge of art history is not. Instead, the sessions are participatory and informal, with a focus on communication and connection. Often an artwork will spark conversation about something else entirely, with residents and volunteers reminiscing about past experiences, sharing stories and finding common ground! 

Fundraising Events Organiser Volunteer

Would you like to be part of a dedicated and friendly team of volunteers and make a real difference to the lives of cats and kittens in our care?  Do you enjoy planning and organising for events?  Maybe you have a particular skill that you would like to put to use?
 
Then this could be the role for you! 
 
Our Fundraising Events Team are at the heart of what we do, raising essential funds for the cats. 

Our Fundraising Events Organisers share ideas, tasks and inspiration, planning and delivering local events, with the support of the Fundraising events helpers, such as Open Days (usually 2 per year) at the centre and our annual Christmas Bazaar. 

Time Expectation:  This role can be varied and time commitment can be flexible. 

Without volunteers, Cats Protection Berkshire Cat Centre simply wouldn't exist. Our amazing, friendly volunteers are a diverse group with a shared love of cats who fit volunteering around their home lives and personal commitments.

We're often looking to welcome new volunteers to join our brilliant team. As well as meeting great people and making an incredible difference to the cats of Berkshire.

Please note:  Although we do welcome everyone, unfortunately our centre is not set up to accommodate young volunteers under the age of 18, including those on the Duke of Edinburgh programme.

Full training and support will be given for all roles.  We look forward to hearing from you!

Jumble Sales Organiser Volunteer

Would you like to raise funds, have fun and join a super team of volunteers who together make our Jumble Sales in Thatcham a great success?  As Jumble Sales Organiser you would be helping to make everything run smoothly for the team.

Time Expectations:  1 Saturday every other month (plus preparations)

This could be a shared role and tasks may include:

· Booking the hall for future Jumbles

· Contacting the Jumble team before events to check availability

· Set up stalls, running a stall and packing away at the end

· Collecting any items/resources needed from the centre the day before

Without volunteers, Cats Protection Berkshire Cat Centre simply wouldn't exist. Our amazing, friendly volunteers are a diverse group with a shared love of cats who fit volunteering around their home lives and personal commitments.

We're often looking to welcome new volunteers to join our brilliant team. As well as meeting great people and making an incredible difference to the cats of Berkshire.

Please note:  Although we do welcome everyone, unfortunately our centre is not set up to accommodate young volunteers under the age of 18, including those on the Duke of Edinburgh programme.

Full training and support will be given for all roles.  We look forward to hearing from you!

 About the opportunity

This role involves supporting with events in your local area throughout the year.

There is no minimum commitment for the role. Times will vary depending on the requirements of the event. You will be provided with an event brief beforehand to ensure you are happy with the requirements for that activity.

By volunteering you will:

• Be a valued member of the Charity
• Can work with dogs without lifelong commitment or costs associated with dog ownership
• Be able to meet like-minded people
• Gain practical experience in the field of canine care and welfare.
• Have fun by joining a friendly, enthusiastic, and supportive team of volunteers.

‘With out the continued hard work and support from our volunteers, we would not be able to provide our clients with our life changing dogs’​

What is involved

• Raising awareness of Canine Partners and what we do by speaking to event attendees
• Promoting fundraising activities at the event (selling raffle tickets etc)
• Handing out leaflets, taking donations
• Set up and pack away on event day
• Passing on any leads to the Community Fundraising team

What we require from you

• Age 18 or over
• Access to your own transport with flexibility to visit various locations
• Polite, confident, and personable manner
• Excellent customer service skills
• Most opportunities require standing for the duration of the session and/or being in a busy environment. Please advise us if you have any concerns about this, and we will do our best to support you.

Support and Training

• Payment of expenditure such as mileage to and from an event.
• Dedicated point of contact in the fundraising team
• Pre-event briefings outlining the requirements of the event
• Volunteer clothing and ID badge
• Access to our volunteer portal with many resources for your use.
• Invitation to join our Official Canine Partners Community Facebook Group

Fundraisers wanted to support East London Waterworks Park in developing and implementing our fundraising strategy.

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 fundraisers to contribute to our community-led fundraising strategy, to develop relationships with funders and to write funding applications. 

You would join our fundraising circle, which coordinates our fundraising efforts. It is currently exploring grant opportunities and developing relationships with businesses and other funders. We meet online on Google Meet and volunteers complete agreed tasks remotely. 

If you have experience in writing grants and funding applications, corporate fundraising, philanthropy, or any other aspect of fundraising, it would be great to hear from you. 

We are keen fundraisers but we are lacking professional expertise and experience and we would love your help and input. We would welcome one-off advice on the phone or in person, as well as longer term volunteers. 

We would also love to hear from potential volunteers without experience but with transferable skills.

East London Waterworks Park is an exciting and ambitious project. Without funding we won’t be able to make it happen, so you will be directly contributing to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds.

About The Role

Volunteers are integral to the running of our London reserve and without their help we wouldn’t be able to maintain this amazing 105 acre wetland of international importance, with views across to the City. Our volunteer team are friendly, motivated and hard-working and say they benefit by gaining new experiences, meeting new people and most importantly making a difference by helping maintain important wetland habitat.

Maintaining and managing a large wetland nature reserve requires a lot of practical, hands on physical tasks. With first-class training and guidance, you’ll be part of a small and dedicated Tuesday Reserve Support team that cares for a variety of breeds in all weathers, to help tell our conservation story. Your role will be to provide regular support to the reserves team in all practical reserve management, to maintain habitats, increase species biodiversity and ensure the reserve and grounds areas are functioning at their best for our visitors.

You'll be an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

Important information

Due to the nature of and training for this role, we ask for a commitment of a minimum of 6 months volunteering. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a taster session alongside the team on Tuesday 8th July. Those selected will ideally join the team on Tuesday 22nd July, or soon afterwards.

If you are interested in volunteering for WWT but don't wish to apply online, please email us, or gives us a call and leave your name and number. 

About You

This an ideal role for someone who has a can-do attitude and are happy to help us in all weathers, being both a practical person and physically fit. Having experience in some habitat management would be helpful, but a keenness to learn is more important. It’s a closely-working team, however, the ability to work under your own initiative and being self-motivated is also needed. Having, or being happy to develop, the confidence to engage our visitors with the work of WWT is also a key part of this role. Main tasks include:

• assisting with all practical reserve management activities including scrub clearance, pruning, pollarding and fencing
• supporting staff and other volunteers with the construction and maintenance of island scrapes, ditches and reed beds, ensuring that reserve water bodies are maintained and managed appropriately (boat use may be needed)

• operating agreed machinery safely in order to carry out management activities
• assisting with the construction and maintenance of access routes to the bird hides including the maintenance of fences, footpaths and hides
• working with a variety of hand tools safely and correctly, observing and applying health and safety regulations at all times
• taking due care for the safety, welfare and enjoyment of the visiting public
• you may be asked to undertake related ad hoc tasks

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you'll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake...
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life

We want your volunteering to be a positive and fun experience. You’ll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and other information you need.  This will include risk assessments based on your role and any particular support you need.

Volunteers receive access to our sites, and discounts in our shops and cafes. Some roles include a uniform or require the use of equipment or protective clothing. If you are based at a particular site or office location, you’ll need to be able to get yourself there and back. Information on locations can be found on our website. We will keep you up to date with what’s happening across WWT and the difference you will be helping to make happen.

Interested?

Full details of this and other roles can be found at our webpage. We celebrate inclusivity and diversity amongst our volunteering community and encourage applicants to state any disabilities they have for provided support.  Please state any disabilities in your application form, or contact us at to state what support you need either in locating the information or filling out the application process so we can cater for your additional needs.

We look forward to hearing from you! 

East London Waterworks Park is looking for volunteer managers to develop and manage meaningful and sustainable volunteer experiences.

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 volunteer managers to contribute to our community-led working group who are developing and managing meaningful and sustainable volunteer experiences within East London Waterworks Park. 

There is opportunity to lead on projects in communications and governance, and facilitate the direction of the working group.

The Comms Circle currently meets fortnightly on a Tuesday evening on Google Meet and spends voluntary time outside of the meeting completing agreed tasks remotely.

You should be experienced in developing and managing meaningful and sustainable volunteer experiences with a range of different roles. Strong organisational and interpersonal skills are essential. We also value your ability to think strategically and build relationships within the community. Experience in managing and motivating volunteer teams is important and a strong understanding of volunteer engagement and the ability to create a positive and inclusive environment will be invaluable. You should be comfortable with community-led processes. Our roles are quite flexible. We hope that people bring radical imagination, peace with nature, and courageous inclusiveness to the role. 

Contribute to the creation of a new biodiverse community-owned park with free access natural swimming ponds. Your leadership and organisational skills will be instrumental in coordinating the efforts of our diverse team of volunteers, including architects, ecologists, teachers, community researchers, and communications strategists. By effectively managing and motivating our volunteer base, you'll ensure that their contributions are aligned with the park's goals and maximise their impact on our community and the environment.

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 our amazing volunteer team to raise awareness of the issues affecting blind and partially sighted people in relation to sport. You will give talks in person or virtually, sharing your own story to improve understanding of sight loss to sports clubs, sporting venues and facilities and community groups. You’ll be making a real difference to people living with sight loss by helping to improve accessibility and inclusivity, creating a sporting world without barriers.

What you’ll be doing
1. Talks to sports and physical activity providers to support and encourage them to consider the needs of blind and partially sighted people by sharing your story to audiences, for example, local leisure centres, sporting venues and sports clubs.
2. Delivering talks to raise awareness of existing sporting and physical activity opportunities for blind and partially sighted people.
3. Representing RNIB as an Ambassador for the Community Connection service.

What you’ll gain from the role
1. A chance to give something back in an area you are passionate about.
2. A chance to make a difference with a sense of achievement.
3. A chance to build a strong community of sports people with sight loss.
4. A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people, increasing your confidence and skills to talk to groups of people with impact, with an opportunity to develop your role into delivering independently over time.
5. Opportunity to explore different roles within our organisation including our internal recruitment vacancies

In return for donating your time we will support you with:
1. A rewarding role
2. A great Induction and Training, in particular training in public speaking and story telling will be given.
3. A supportive Manager
4. Regular catch-ups
5. Expenses
6. An opportunity to connect with other volunteers

How often will I be needed?

• 4 Hours per Month

Key requirements

• This role requires 1 reference.

Location

Region

• Scotland

Who this opportunity will suit

• This role is reserved for blind and partially sighted applicants

Minimum age

• You must be at least 18 years old to apply

What skills and experience are needed?

• You’ll ideally have 1. Lived experience in playing, spectating, or delivering sport or physical activity sessions as a blind or partially sighted person. 2. Lived experience of issues affecting blind and partially sighted people in relation to sports and physical activity. 3. Be comfortable speaking to different audiences to share your sporting story, or a willingness to try with our support. 4. Have effective communication skills. 5. An outgoing friendly approach to meeting new people

Mid and North East Essex Mind works in partnership with other local Minds, NHS and local health services, as well as key community organisations and service providers, to reduce health inequalities by enhancing the offering for people impacted by mental health and suicide.

Our purpose is to offer hope and support for good mental health so that no one feels alone with a vision to work with our communities so everyone can understand how to take care of their mental health and get the support they need.

We listen to our communities and offer compassionate and inclusive mental health services, resources and practical support to promote wellbeing for everyone.

Our staff have worked together on a set of values that are most important to us and our service users. These values underpin the way we do everything at Mid and North East Essex Mind and we are really proud of that.

Listening: We listen to the needs of our communities and each other, actively engaging, learning and sharing every day.

Inclusive: We develop inclusive services and support that respect the diversity and dignity of everyone on our communities.

Co-producing: We co-produce, believing that people affected by a service are best placed to help design it and reach collective outcomes together.

Innovative: We explore new ideas and ways of working and build a culture that embraces innovation, excellence and creative solutions.

Trusted: We build trust in our communities by consistently delivering high quality services and being honest in everything we do.

Supportive: We foster a culture of empathy, respect and open communication to support our communities and each other.

Our Board of Trustees

A strong Board of Trustees oversees the work of the organisation, setting the strategic direction and ensuring good governance and practice is embedded in everything we do and in an ever-evolving world, we are always looking to strengthen the skill set of the Board.

Trusteeship offers both personal and professional benefits and as a trustee of Mid and North East Essex Mind you will be contributing to the growth and development of a local charity committed to meeting the need for mental healthcare services in our area. Working at a strategic level you will have the opportunity to utilise and develop your skills and experience and build professional networks within the voluntary sector.

The duties of a trustee are as follows:

• Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
• Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (ie its trust deed, constitution or memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
• Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (ie the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
• Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
• Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
• Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
• Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
• Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds
• Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the chief executive (if the charity employs staff)

In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions.

This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.

Person Specifications

• A commitment to the organisation
• A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
• Strategic vision
• Good, independent judgement
• An ability to think creatively
• A willingness to speak their mind
• An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• 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

Fundraising volunteer

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

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

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

This is a really flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example: 

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 

• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations

• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  

• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork

● championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

● photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats