Environment volunteer roles

Volunteer Role: Dementia Support Group and/or Activity Sessions

We were set up to transform the former Edward Hain hospital, in St Ives, Cornwall, into a community centre for health and wellbeing. The hospital was founded in 1920, with funds from the Cornish Hain Steamship Company. When it closed n 2021, our community, led by the hospital’s League of Friends, came together to save the building for the town. Now it brings together much needed health and wellbeing services, along with social, community and welfare support, all under one roof. About the role Can you commit between 2 and 4 hours a week to help those suffering from Dementia? We are looking for volunteers to spend a short time each week working with our Community Hub Officer (CHO) to create a welcoming and supportive environment for our Dementia Support Group (Forget-Me-Not Café) and help to provide specially designed crafts activity sessions such as leaf printing, making seasonal decorations etc. All our visitors are accompanied by their carers and as a volunteer you will receive specific awareness training to give you the confidence to provide conversation and a smile for those with dementia at the Edward Hain Centre.

What’s involved?

Our dementia activities and group sessions are attended by all kinds of people experiencing dementia. We work with specific care homes whose elderly residents are brought along by their carers and we run a Forget-Me-Not Café, set up for individual carers or relatives to bring along those they care for with dementia.

Specific tasks include:

• Greet attendees warmly as they arrive.

• Support the CHO with setup and organisation.

• Prepare and serve teas and coffees.

• Welcome session attendees, ensuring they feel comfortable.

• Help attendees take part in table activities (if they want to). The role will suit you if you:

• Have a friendly and approachable personality.

• Are reliable and willing to support others.

• Have good communication and enjoy being part of a team.

• Enthusiasm for creating a positive community space.

Why Volunteer with Us?

• Make a meaningful impact in your community.

• Meet new people and build connections with others.

• Gain experience in group facilitation and support and working with the elderly.

• Be part of the Edward Hain Centre Team!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THIS ROLE PLEASE CONTACT OUR COMMUNITY HUB OFFICER CLAIRE JEFFERIES: 

We are currently looking for volunteers to help us in our Chilton warehouse. The warehouse is where the food arrives, and is sorted before it arrives at the hub. It is a busy environment, and you’d be working alongside the TBBT team. To volunteer for the warehouse, you would need to be 18 years old or older.

Volunteering at the warehouse would include:

• Packing bags for the hubs.
• Organising stock, and ensuring food is stored correctly and at the right temperature.
• Keeping the warehouse tidy, and helping with recycling.
• Helping to load the vans.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Chilton, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

We are currently looking for volunteers to help us in our Stoke warehouse. The warehouse is where the food arrives, and is sorted before it arrives at the hub. It is a busy environment, and you’d be working alongside the TBBT team. To volunteer for the warehouse, you would need to be 18 years old or older.

Volunteering at the warehouse would include:

• Packing bags for the hubs.
• Organising stock, and ensuring food is stored correctly and at the right temperature.
• Keeping the warehouse tidy, and helping with recycling.
• Helping to load the vans.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Stoke, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

We are currently looking for volunteers to help us in our Trafford warehouse. The warehouse is where the food arrives, and is sorted before it arrives at the hub. It is a busy environment, and you’d be working alongside the TBBT team. To volunteer for the warehouse, you would need to be 18 years old or older.

Volunteering at the warehouse would include:

• Packing bags for the hubs.
• Organising stock, and ensuring food is stored correctly and at the right temperature.
• Keeping the warehouse tidy, and helping with recycling.
• Helping to load the vans.

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. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

This position is open to anyone with a keen interest in Friends of the Earth and our local campaigns in the borough of Camden. We are looking for someone interested in environmental and sustainability issues and environmental justice in the Camden community who enjoys digital design. 

Duties:

The designer will help with:

• Designing and producing event materials (brochures, flyers, posters)

• Designing social media post templates & banners

• Attending events and being part of the FoE Camden community

Desired attributes: 

• Experience with Image Editing software (Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, Canva, etc.)

• Passion for the campaigning group’s mission and a commitment to communicating the impact of the charity's work 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Please send us a message stating clearly why you are interested in volunteering in our group. Also please be aware Friends of the Earth Camden is a local campaign group, so there's no need to apply if you're not UK/ London based. 

Could you be the new Chair of CPRE Buckinghamshire (one of the branches of CPRE – the Countryside Charity)? Do you care about your local community and environment?

We have a long and successful history of campaigning on items that matter to the local area – canvassing, prompting and lobbying local authorities, Councillors and MPs. In doing so, we have been able to ensure that the views of the people who depend on, work on and cherish the Buckinghamshire countryside are reflected in local decision-making.

The Chair role will suit someone living in Buckinghamshire or the Milton Keynes area, who has a keen interest in the countryside and is excited by the prospect of helping to direct the future of CPRE Buckinghamshire over the next 5–7 years. It is an exciting time to join our team, as CPRE nationally is celebrating 100 years in 2026; you can be involved in making plans as to how we will celebrate this with the Buckinghamshire community through various events and activities.

You will help to:

• direct our important campaigns, engaging the local community and raising awareness of the issues that the countryside faces
• lead our Trustee board, and recruit new Trustee members
• increase our membership, so that we can continue to do the work we are doing
• expand our team of volunteers, so that we can widen and increase the work that we do
• liaise with stakeholders and partners, and forge new partnerships
• ensure that we as a charity meet our legal requirements, adhering to our governing document, and have the necessary policies and resources
• nurture and shape the future of CPRE Bucks.

We estimate that the time commitment will be around 1 day a week, although this is variable and dependent on activities. You can of course do more if you wish! Our team works and meets remotely most of the time, but occasional travel may be necessary – to attend CPRE Head Office in London, for example.

This is a volunteer role in which you can really make a difference. We welcome applicants of any age, gender and background.

We are seeking to appoint a voluntary Trustee for our charity who will also take up the role as our secretary.

We are looking for someone who wants to make a difference; helping build & grow the charity with the benefit of good governance. 

Is this role for me?

As you would expect the secretary role will be responsible for supporting the Chair by making sure meetings are communicated, agendas are developed, & that minutes are produced with actions followed up. It would also involve maintaining a well-organised filing system of critical documents, policies & governance records, as well as ensuring compliance with reporting requirements such as Charity Commission filings. But this will not be a case of walking in & taking over the reins; we are going through a period of change & are looking for someone who will help us put in place the processes & controls needed for a well-run charity. 

We are looking for a secretary who will push us & keep us on track. Make no mistake, it will certainly be hard work initially as it will take some time as we work to get everything in place, so you would need to be ready to commit to this. Once things become established then it would be up to you just how much time you want to dedicate beyond keeping everything on track. 

Who is The League of Friends of St Mark’s Hospital Maidenhead?

The League of Friends have been supporting patients in St Mark’s Hospital for over 50 years, helping to provide equipment & an environment that enhances their comfort & care.

We maintain the gardens in the Henry Tudor ward & in Out-Patients, including providing outdoor furniture & planting, as well as providing a range of daily newspapers & making sure a nice cup of Nespresso coffee is available too. We have also helped the hospital over recent years by providing; a cardiac resuscitator, an ECG module, hydraulic treatment couches, specialised podiatry & audiology equipment, and software for a Dexta bone density scanner.

Why are you recruiting now?

While we are proud that we have been supporting St Mark’s for over 50 years, including during the COVID19 pandemic, we have recognised that we now need to need to “regroup”.

The charity has identified 2 immediate objectives; firstly, to develop our fundraising efforts as these have slipped since the pandemic, & secondly, to introduce standards of governance which ensure we fulfil statutory obligations & achieve best practice within a small charity environment. 

We have recently appointed a new Treasurer to strengthen financial controls, & a further trustee with responsibility for developing our marketing effort which will provide a firm footing for fund raising. Further trustees have recently been appointed which support our charitable giving within the hospital. But we recognise that we are lacking the skills, knowledge & disciplines that a good secretary can provide. 

What sort of person do I need to be?

• Hungry for change
• Tenacious
• Pragmatic
• Detailed & meticulous 
• Knowledgeable of charity regulations & best practice - or not frightened to find them out & go on to implement them
• A self-starter who is able to drive us towards the changes needed
• A strong communicator
• Tech savvy – able to use MS office & have the ability to work online as needed 

How much time would I need to dedicate?

You would need to have enough time to arrange, plan & follow up on Trustee meetings. At present these typically take place in alternate months but there may be a need to move these to monthly as the charity grows. One of these meetings will also include the AGM. Meetings are held in Maidenhead.

As secretary there will be other activities which will require action between meetings, for example, keeping the Charity Commission updated, maintaining policies & renewing insurance. While these activities are not onerous their timely upkeep is obviously important.

One of the key features of this appointment will be the need to drive change & establish good governance within the charity. Although we are looking for someone who can help move this forward at speed, we also recognise that “Rome wasn’t built in a day”!

What will I get out of it?

• Helping to make the lives of patients in hospital more bearable is hugely rewarding. 
• The role will be CV enhancing, demonstrating valuable skills & qualities to potential employers; particularly being able to illustrate your ability to influence & to drive change

Is there anything else you think I should know?

Apart from attending our meetings in Maidenhead all other work should be able to be done from home.

This is a volunteer role & necessary expenses incurred will be reimbursed.

Calling all animal lovers! We're looking for passionate volunteers to join Team Teckels at our charity shop in Stroud.

Teckels rescue, rehabilitate and rehome hundreds of vulnerable cats and dogs every year. Your support in our charity shop will make a massive impact on their lives.

We have customer facing and non-customer facing roles available. Shifts will be planned according to your availability and the shop opening hours of Tuesdays to Saturdays 9am to 5pm. Ideally, this will be a morning 9am to 1pm or evening 1pm to 5pm shift once a week.

We welcome volunteers whenever the shop is open, but we are especially looking for help on the shop floor on a Saturday morning or afternoon, and with sorting donations on a Friday and Saturday.c

RSPCA Lincoln Mid & Lincoln

We need volunteers who have expertise in retail operations and income generation to help us maximise the revenue generated in our charity shops. You will gain new skills and experience as a Branch Trustee whilst enabling us to help more animals.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and passionate person, with a background in retail operations and income generation, who could devote their time to volunteer as a trustee for our Branch, and support us in maximising the revenue generated from our charity shops.

Alongside passing on your expertise, this opportunity will give you the chance to influence how we care for and prevent cruelty to animals and drive the implementation of key initiatives. You will serve on the governing body of the charity and be instrumental, alongside fellow trustees, in the running of the Branch and setting out both the short and long term aims.

As a minimum, trustees would normally be expected to attend a monthly committee meeting lasting some 2 to 3 hours. However, the commitment may vary depending on whether or not the trustee takes on additional duties.

Primary responsibilities of the Branch Trustee – Retail and Income Generation

• Assist the Branch Manager in maximising the profitability of the Branch’s three charity shops.
• Work with the Branch Manager to explore any potential for expanding the retail operation by researching the potential for further charity shops.
• Support the Branch Manager in establishing the Branch’s e-commerce operation via online sales platforms such as eBay.
• Work with other trustees, the Branch health and safety provider and the Branch Manager to ensure the charity shops meet health and safety standards.
• Explore other ways to generate income for the Branch and work closely with the Branch Manager to put these ideas into action.

What we are looking for in a volunteer:

We are committed to creating a Board which is representative of our society and in particular, our community and surrounding areas so encourage people from any background to apply for any of our opportunities.

Alongside retail operations and income generation experience, we are looking for someone who is committed to the RSPCA’s charitable objectives and shares our passion for animal welfare. You would be creative, innovative, bring a fresh perspective, and can put ideas into action.

You will need to be able to work with people and have good interpersonal skills. You do not need to be an expert although commitment, common sense, and the ability to be objective are vital.

What we can offer you as a volunteer Branch Trustee – Retail and Income Generation

• We will provide you with a comprehensive trustee training course which will provide you will everything you need to carry out the role.
• Ongoing support is also provided by local and national RSPCA staff in addition to any additional training provided by the relevant branch.
• The platform to utilise your skills and experience to oversee the charity and make decisions that have a direct impact on local animal welfare.
• The opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones, whilst making a real difference to the lives of animals.
• A way to expand your professional and personal network through working with like-minded people.

Practical considerations

• You will need to be 18 or over
• Ideally, the candidate will be based in or around Lincoln, Mid, or North East Lincolnshire; however, we also hold meetings remotely.
• The position is unpaid but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.
• You must not be disqualified from being a Trustee. Please read the Charity Commission’s guidance on who can be a Trustee of a charity.
• References will be required.

How to find out more about being a Trustee

Our trustee applicants are encouraged to meet informally with the chair initially and then join a trustee meeting. We will take up references and undertake disqualification checks prior to co-opting you to our board.

You will need to be a branch member to join our board.

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to ensure it is the right decision for you, we recommend reading the Charity Commission's guidance on the role of the trustee and the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees.

We have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

Two Temple Place is a magnificent neo-Tudor gem in central London, built in 1895 for William Waldorf Astor. In 2011 we opened our first annual free exhibition, and since then exhibitions have welcomed 460,000 visitors. We run a growing programme of cultural and community events designed to open our doors more often, to more people. We rely on our friendly and enthusiastic team of more than 180 volunteers to make our free exhibitions possible. We are recruiting volunteers for our 2026 exhibition, The Weight of Being, which will explore the profound ways in which external pressures shape artistic expression, mental health, and resilience, highlighting the power of art as a means of expression, resistance, and survival.

Volunteers provide support in a front of house role by:
•Welcoming and engaging with visitors
•Ensuring the safety of visitors and exhibition objects
•Providing information about the building, the exhibitions, and events
•Looking after the gallery spaces
•Helping us run the exhibition shop (optional)

We look to recruit volunteers who are:
•Friendly & polite
•Helpful & proactive
•Punctual & reliable
•Keen to learn & enthusiastic

We welcome people of all abilities and offer a supportive environment for those with additional needs. We provide all training for the role; no prior volunteering or gallery experience is needed, just enthusiasm and commitment!

Our wetland centres shape unforgettable experiences for our visitors to engage with wetland wildlife and learn more about the amazing work  WWT does to conserve wetlands and species around the world.

A good cup of tea and a relaxing snack looking over our beautiful wetlands are an important part of that experience. Plus, all the profit from our cafes and shops goes back into funding WWT projects. 

We're looking for friendly, welcoming people to help in our café and make that experience a great one.

In this role, you will be:

• Serving our visitors light meals, snacks and drinks

• Helping keeping our café tables clear, clean and free for use

• Engaging with our visitors, directing them to our seasonal highlights and daily talks, helping them to make the most of their visit

• Supporting behind-the-scenes with tasks such as washing up and sorting deliveries - keeping us on track

• Helping with food displays- helping visitors to make those tricky choices!

Our café has an amazing view of the reserve and you'll be able to watch the seasons change whilst helping visitors to have an enjoyable day.

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

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Lead the transformation of communities and climate action as Chair of one of the North East's most impactful charities standing for social impact and environmental sustainability.

Location: Meetings take place Trust’s Head Office at Parsons Court, Newton Aycliffe; The Greenhouse, Annfield Plain, Stanley, Co Durham 

Closing date: Monday 3rd November

Who we are

For over three decades, Groundwork North East & Cumbria has stood for environmental sustainability and social impact. Our work spans five strategic growth areas: nature-based solutions that restore biodiversity and tackle flooding; youth employment programmes that provide skills and pathways into green careers; green teams and land management that transform neglected spaces; health and wellbeing initiatives that connect people with nature; and energy efficiency programmes that tackle fuel poverty while reducing carbon emissions.

Our mission is simple but profound: create better places, improve people’s prospects, and promote greener lifestyles. We believe that within every community, however disadvantaged, there is deep pride, resilience, and potential. Our role is to harness that pride and unlock that passion, delivering projects and programmes that not only change lives now but also make our communities more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient for the future.

As part of the Groundwork Federation, we are uniquely positioned as an environmental and community-focused charity dedicated to creating thriving places where people and nature flourish together. We work across both urban and rural communities throughout North East England and Cumbria to tackle inequalities, address climate and nature challenges, and empower individuals to improve their lives, neighbourhoods, and local economies.

We deliver outcomes that matter: energy-saving advice to thousands of households, targeted employment and youth programmes, landscape design and environmental restoration, community food growing projects, and nature-based solutions that benefit both people and wildlife. Through our Greenhouse Business Centre and Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre, we also operate successful social enterprises that generate income to reinvest in our charitable work.

About the role

We are seeking an exceptional leader to chair our Board of Trustees as we embark on our ambitious five-year strategy with our goal to achieve net-zero by 2030 while transforming lives region-wide. This is a pivotal moment in our journey, and we need someone who can guide us through this transformational phase.

As Chair, you will work closely with our Chief Executive, Steve Roberts and fellow Trustees to ensure the Trust fulfils its charitable objectives, maintains strong stakeholder trust, and delivers on our strategic ambitions. You will lead 4-6 board meetings annually, foster board development, and represent Groundwork externally as our ambassador.

The role involves ensuring robust governance standards, overseeing financial sustainability, and maintaining effective risk management frameworks. You will serve as a trusted advisor to the executive team, offering strategic counsel while ensuring clear boundaries between governance and executive management.

Who we are looking for

We need a Chair who genuinely understands what good governance looks like and can help us maintain the highest standards while supporting our ambitious growth plans. You will have demonstrable experience in senior leadership or governance roles, bringing strategic vision and the natural ability to facilitate constructive board discussions that drive real outcomes.

More than technical expertise, we are looking for someone who can inspire others and build relationships across diverse stakeholders. You will have natural leadership presence and the confidence to represent Groundwork externally with authenticity. Your diplomatic and empathetic communication style will enable meaningful engagement with people from all backgrounds, from local communities to government ministers.

We seek someone who can create an inclusive board culture where every voice is heard and valued. You will be skilled at fostering cohesion among trustees while ensuring collective accountability for our performance and impact.

Above all, we need someone who shares our genuine passion for environmental and social justice. You will have a heartfelt commitment to creating a more sustainable and inclusive society where communities can thrive. Whether through direct lived experience or professional background, you understand the challenges facing disadvantaged communities and believe in the transformative power of local action.

• Time commitment

The time commitment includes preparation for and attendance at quarterly board meetings, committee work, and external representation as appropriate. You will also spend time building relationships with fellow trustees and the executive team between formal meetings. Usually, the Chair of Groundwork North East & Cumbria sits on Groundwork UK’s Federation Board, which meets four times a year.

Many previous Chairs describe the experience as deeply rewarding, offering the opportunity to make a meaningful difference while developing leadership skills and building relationships with diverse professional and civic leaders.

If you believe in harnessing local pride and practical action to make green, fair and resilient communities a reality, we would love to hear from you.

Please click 'Redirect to recruiter’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Monday 3rd November.

elop runs a programme of weekly and monthly LGBTQ+ social, support and wellbeing clubs, groups, meet-ups and events; provided by and for LGBTQ+ communities.

Joining our LGBTQ+ volunteer facilitator team you will be part of an enthusiastic and dedicated team who value & appreciate the benefit of face-to-face socialising & networking, supporting LGBT people to come together in a welcoming, safe and supportive environment with opportunities to meet new people, form new friendships, gain peer support and much more. 

Each of elop’s dedicated clubs, groups or meet-ups run planned activities that supports shared interaction, positive LGBTQ+ identities and a feeling of being valued.

Volunteering in this role will give you opportunities to contribute & support the planning & promotion of group programmes, help in organising & facilitating sessions, along with supporting & enabling the involvement, voice & inclusion of all members attending, ensuring a welcome, supported, safe and comfortable environment for all.

Our clubs, groups, meet-ups and activities are delivered on various days and times across the week and weekends, plus during the day and evenings, so there are plenty of opportunities to get involved. 

You may already have some previous experience of activity facilitation, which is fantastic; however it isn’t necessary to come with all the skills & experiences already on board, just a friendly or outgoing personality with good communication abilities, the rest you’ll be supported to develop. 

Respecting diversity, understanding and upholding professional boundaries and confidentiality are of course fundamental to all of our work and you will be required support this. 

What you can expect as part of Team elop is to feel proud of being part of our dynamic team & volunteer community, to develop confidence, have enjoyment and know your contribution really does make a difference.

We know life can be busy, but ask all group volunteers to make a 6 month minimum commitment or around 2-3 hours a week average. 

All our volunteer facilitators must positively identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/ or trans (Schedule 9, Part 1, Paragraph 1 of the Equality Act 2010 applies).

The purpose of the role is to act as the principal financial officer for the Area, ensuring that all Area income and expenditure is properly managed and accounted for and is compliant with Ramblers’ policies and procedures.

The Treasurer is a key member of the Area leadership teams and contributes to decision-making across a wide range of issues relating to the Sussex Area of the Ramblers, the UK's largest and most vibrant walking community.

The main activities in the role are:

• Managing the Area Bank Account and processing expenses claims, obtaining the necessary authorisations

• Maintaining records of all transactions and producing accounts using the Ramblers’ spreadsheet-based system (Excel 97)

• Preparing Income and Expenditure Statements and Treasurer’s Reports for the Quarterly Area Executive Committee and Council Meetings and attending those meetings

• Leading the production and submission to Ramblers’ Central Office of the Area Budget and Annual Return, networking across the Group Treasurers to obtain the respective Group Budgets and Returns and resolve any issues

• Producing the Area Annual Financial Report and Accounts for approval at the AGM.