Diy skills volunteer roles

Volunteer Handyperson – Help Us Keep Our Facilities in Top Shape!

Location: RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch – Community-based

Role Type: Volunteer – Handyperson

Manager: Operations Manager

Do You Enjoy DIY and Fixing Things?

Would you like to use your practical skills to help improve the environment for rescued animals and support our charity shops?

At RSPCA Buckinghamshire South Branch, our volunteer handypersons play a crucial role by:

● Repairing and maintaining small animal pens and hutches to ensure they are safe and comfortable.

● Installing shelves, notice boards, and basic fixtures in our charity shops.
Carrying out general maintenance tasks at our shops, storage facilities, and animal care locations.

● Assisting with minor repairs, painting, and basic carpentry tasks as needed.

If you have basic DIY skills, some spare time, and want to make a real difference, we’d love to have you on board!

Why Volunteer With Us?

As an RSPCA volunteer handyperson, you will:

● Meet a variety of RSPCA staff, volunteers, animal carers and people from our community.

● Help create safer and more comfortable environments for animals.

● Support the smooth running of our charity shops and animal care sites.

● Enjoy a rewarding role that makes a tangible difference in your local community.

What We’re Looking For:

● Aged 18 or over with practical DIY skills.

● Ability to use basic tools safely (drills, screwdrivers, hammers, saws, etc.).

● Comfortable lifting, carrying, and handling materials.

● Reliable, responsible, and able to work independently.

● A problem-solver with a can-do attitude.

What You’ll Be Doing:

● Animal Pen & Hutch Repairs: Fixing broken enclosures and ensuring they are safe and weatherproof.

● Shop Maintenance: Putting up shelves, assembling furniture, and installing small fixtures.

● General Repairs & Upkeep: Basic painting, minor carpentry, and fixing small issues.

● Storage & Organisation: Helping maintain our storage areas and ensuring everything is tidy.

● Ad Hoc Jobs: Supporting the team with various maintenance tasks as needed.

What’s in It for You?

● Meet new people and be part of a passionate team.

● A comprehensive induction and training relevant to your role.

● The chance to make a meaningful difference to the welfare of animals.

● Reimbursement of reasonable travel expenses incurred while volunteering.

Practical Considerations:

● Health & Safety: Volunteers must follow RSPCA safety guidelines for DIY work.

● Physical Requirements: This role involves lifting, carrying, and working with tools.

● Equipment Use: Tools and materials will be provided where needed.

● Volunteers must use equipment safely and responsibly.

● Training & Support: You will receive a volunteer handbook and guidance from our team.

Are you skilled at DIY? Do you get satisfaction from fixing and maintaining things? Are you able to keep outdoor spaces tidy and presentable? We’re on the look-out for Gardener and Site Maintenance volunteers who will play a key role in keeping Blue Cross sites clean, tidy and well presented. You will be adept at working under your own initiative, with support from the team when needed.

Why we want you

Sick, injured and homeless pets have relied on Blue Cross for help since 1897. Each year, thousands of dogs, cats, small pets and horses turn to the charity’s animal hospitals, clinical and rehoming services for treatment and support. Your skills will assist us in quickly addressing issues and maintaining excellent levels of safety.

We would love you to join us and help us help more pets in need.

What you will be doing

• Maintenance including basic repairs and DIY tasks
• Some painting and decorating
• Weeding and tidying the grounds
• Identifying and completing tasks required to maintain the site

The skills you need

• Experience and enjoyment of DIY
• Some gardening knowledge and skills
• Regular commitment and reliability
• Ability to work in a team or alone
• Willingness to learn and follow Blue Cross procedures

What's in it for you

• You’ll be able to choose from a wide variety of shifts
• You’ll gain a variety of experience for your CV
• You’ll learn new/enhanced skills such as customer service, communication and team working
• You’ll meet new people and get involved with your local community
• We’ll provide you with all the training you need, including our GUEST customer service training and access to Blue Horizons, our online learning platform
• You’ll be helping more pets in need.

Disclaimer

We ask that you can ideally commit to one shift per week and are able to volunteer at a Blue Cross site. You need to be 18 or over for this role. Blue Cross holds inclusion as a core organisational value. We positively encourage applications from eligible volunteers regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity. We actively embrace our differences and know that it is our differences that make us unique. You are very welcome at Blue Cross, without the need to hide any part of who you are.

Brief

There are always jobs to be done to care for the Museum – replacing light-bulbs, deep cleaning, oiling locks, and painting – helping to improve the visitor experience and protect the artefacts. We rely on our maintenance team to build and create displays, and to maintain, restore and repair our collection. Whether you are a skilled craftsperson, or good at DIY, we have a project for you to help.

This back of house role is for you if you are a hands-on team player, have some experience or interest in a craft/trade and are physically fit.

Purpose of Role

Under the direction of the Maintenance Team Leader, there are several tasks that are carried out:

· General maintenance tasks to restore, repair and maintain Milton Keynes Museum buildings, machines and exhibits

Key elements

After relevant training has been provided:

· General DIY and maintenance tasks, including painting and decorating

· Create, repair and maintain buildings and displays in the museum, including emergency repairs

· Moving the collection

Your profile

What we are looking for:

· Interest in the museum, its historic collections and its ongoing story

· Attention to detail and ability to work well under pressure

· Ability to work as part of a dedicated team as well as individually

· Physically fit, able to work outdoors and on uneven/high surfaces

· DIY enthusiasts and/or skilled Craftspeople (Carpenters, Plumbers, Electricians, Blacksmiths, Builders…) 

· Good understanding of relevant health and safety issues

Our challenge
The Community Fundraising Team is an integral part of The Charity Fundraising Portfolio, with an income target of £3.6 million in 2024/25 and the team consists of Community Fundraisers based across the UK. Our role is to provide fundraising advice and support to our DIY individual fundraisers, Supporter Groups, Community Organisations and Regional Corporates.

How can you help?
We are recruiting a team of Community Fundraising Volunteers to help us provide our amazing DIY individual fundraisers with the best possible experience when contacting The Charity for information or fundraising advice. We want to be able to engage with our fundraisers and respond to queries efficiently, whilst also spotting further fundraising opportunities 
for our expert team of regional Community Fundraisers.

As part of a team of Community Fundraising Admin Volunteers, you’d help us to: 
• Manage the Community Fundraising Team inboxes.
• Respond to our Fundraisers by their preferred choice, including phone, email etc.
• Identify opportunities for further engagement by the relevant Regional Community Fundraiser.
• Update our CRM with details of the Fundraiser, their DIY event and any action taken in response to their contact with us.

What impact will you have?
You’ll play a vital role in the Community Fundraising Team, helping us provide the best possible experience to our fundraisers. 

We’re looking for...
Someone who is passionate about The Charity and our vision. You’ll also need to be: 
• Proficient with IT— including CRM software & MS Outlook
• Confident and friendly with strong written and verbal communication skills
• Able to identify new opportunities to raise awareness and funds 
• A good team player who understands the importance of collaboration

The Brain Tumour Charity is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals belonging to minority ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ communities, people 
with disabilities, and other underrepresented communities.

What can you gain from volunteering? 
• You’ll have the opportunity to utilise your existing skills, while developing and learning new ones to take forward into the future 
• You’ll join a friendly, passionate team and develop an understanding of how this team at The Charity operates. 

Time commitment
We’d ideally be looking for volunteers to commit to volunteering for one day per week (either one full day or two half days), as ideally we are looking for cover across the full working week. The role is home based.

Practical considerations
You will receive a full induction to The Brain Tumour Charity and specific training for the role, as well as ongoing direction from one of our Senior Community Fundraisers, who will be your key contact. We carry out reference checks for all individuals who will be volunteering with us on a regular basis. Volunteers may be required to complete some internal data protection and disclosure documentation before commencing the role. Volunteers must be over 18. We encourage volunteers to claim for any reasonable expenses that are incurred in the course of their volunteering with the Charity. 

Need support with the application process? 
We are committed to being inclusive and recognise that there may be a number of ways we could support you through the application process. If there’s any adjustments we can make to help you fully engage in the process, please do get in touch.

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Are you a reliable handyperson who can undertake, upkeep, and repair a range of tasks for our housing support clients?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to make basic home improvements to client’s accommodation?
• Are you a dab hand at DIY and want to put your handyperson skills to good use?
• Do you have an interest in motivating people to make positive changes in their lives through acquiring new skills?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include carrying out basic household repairs and alterations such as:

• Gardening work
• Flat pack furniture assembly
• Putting up curtain rails/blinds
• Hanging pictures and shelves

Skills required

No volunteering experience is required however the below skills are essential:

• Practical skills in DIY and/or gardening
• Good listening and communication skills
• Excellent people skills to enable you to work with a range of individuals with complex backgrounds

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

Are you good at DIY or a skilled tradesperson? As a Maintenance Volunteer at Skanda Vale Hospice you can play a crucial role in ensuring that our facilities and technical installations are functional and safe. 

Please note: unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for overseas volunteers.

About Skanda Vale Hospice

Skanda Vale Hospice offers unhurried, highly individualised care and respite to families affected by life-limiting illnesses, completely free of charge. A beautiful and happy place, filled with laughter and vibrant colour, our hospice is nurse led and primarily run by volunteers. Volunteering with us means being a valued part of a dedicated team who give of themselves wholeheartedly. Compassion is at the heart of what we do, expressed by human kindness, generosity and a deep commitment to the well-being of everyone we care for and work alongside.

What will I be doing?

• Helping carry out and log a rolling schedule of pre-planned checks, maintenance and repairs.

• Making regular fire systems and legionella checks.

• Keeping an eye on the safety, state of repair and smooth running of all plant, machinery and equipment.

• Being available, if possible, for emergency call-outs (though this is not essential). 

How much time should I give?

Ideally one day per week but we can be flexible to suit our volunteers and the hospice.

What are the benefits of being a Maintenance Volunteer?

• Sense of purpose, using your existing skills and expertise to benefit a worthy cause.

• Satisfaction of keeping all installations and facilities in good working order.

• Being valued and appreciated as a key part of a vital team.

• Training and development opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge.

• Earning Tempo Time Credits to spend on activities both locally and across the UK.

• Travel expenses reimbursed.

What do I need to have?

• Reliability, consistency and attention to detail

• Ideally, some experience in routine building maintenance and repairs, such as plumbing, electrics, HVAC system maintenance and carpentry.

• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.

• A permanent UK address or a visa that allows you to stay and volunteer in the UK (unfortunately we cannot sponsor visa applications).

What training and support will I be given?

You will be supported by the Maintenance Lead and Head of Operations. You will receive induction plus training such as health and safety regulations and best practices, conducting safety inspections and addressing hazards to ensure you feel confident and capable in your role. 

How do I find out more?

Contact us or drop in at one of our Coffee Mornings. These are held between 10.30 am and 12.30 pm on the last Thursday of each month and offer the chance for an informal chat and a look around - while enjoying fresh coffee and homemade cake, free of charge. Come along, we’d love to meet you!

Whether you’re a jobseeker interested in a career in construction or woodwork, a student or recent college graduate seeking experience, or just someone with spare time on your hands, wanting to do something positive and meet new people, volunteering with the Touch Wood project at EMERGE 3Rs may be just the ticket!

Touch Wood is a wood recycling and upcycling initiative, which collects surplus and waste wood and timber and gives it a new lease of life, preventing it from being burned, chipped, or dumped in landfill.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Preparing wood for resale

* Assisting with the construction of wooden products, from small household items to pieces of furniture

Our Touch Wood volunteers are able to gain skills in practical woodworking, as we offer hands-on experience of working with reclaimed timber; from making basic lumber products ready for resale, through to assisting with the creation of bespoke items, such as kitchen equipment and home and garden furniture.

Full training in woodworking and health and safety is provided, along with Personal Protection Equipment.

The UK generates around 5 million tonnes of wood waste every year, but less than 1% is reused. Touch Wood rescues waste timber that would otherwise be landfilled or turned into woodchip; creating jobs and training opportunities for disadvantaged local people at the same time. We collect from construction sites, industrial estates and other commercial sources, reclaiming everything from pallets to indoor cycle tracks – you name it, we take it! Anything we can’t reuse is locally recycled, so nothing goes to waste. This reduces the carbon emissions associated with disposing of waste wood, offers cost savings for DIY enthusiasts, and provides training and job potential to volunteers in the workshop. Some of the timber we work with comes from high profile sources, including the entire track of the Manchester Velodrome cycling centre and wood removed in the recent refurbishment of Manchester’s historic Town Hall!

Our skilled team of staff and volunteers often use reclaimed timber to create beautiful and practical products, such as home and garden furniture. We regularly create bespoke pieces to order; some of it for famous clients like Olympic cycling champions Jason and Laura Kenny, for whom we made a table from the Manchester Velodrome track.

Please be advised that our volunteers require a fair level of physical fitness and manual dexterity as the role is entirely practical.

Our Touch Wood workshop and wood store is open Mon-Fri, 8.30am - 4pm.
We occupy a unit at Maynard House, inside New Smithfield Market, in Openshaw, North Manchester, which is accessed from the main entrance on Whitworth Street East (off Ashton Old Road). The site is served well by buses, and we have free parking onsite, as well as secure storage racks for pushbikes.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)