Evening volunteer roles in colindale, greater london

Introduction

Do you care about the future of the countryside in North and East Yorkshire?  Do you have skills and experience in supporter development/fundraising that you could bring to our work?  CPRE North and East Yorkshire are looking for a Trustee and Supporter Development Lead to contribute to our important work protecting our beautiful local countryside and green spaces.

Who we are

CPRE campaigns nationally and locally for positive solutions which safeguard the long-term future of our precious countryside. At national level, the charity produces in-depth research and sound arguments to press government, Parliament and other decision-makers to support our countryside, be it national landscapes or simply much loved local green spaces, through policies which ensure:

- The right development in the right place

- Active support to improve biodiversity and 

- Countryside protection from climate change impacts and contribution to climate change solutions.

Here in North and East Yorkshire, the largest of the CPRE regions (6,900 square miles!), we have a successful track record of enabling residents and community groups to help shape development in ways that enrich the countryside around them. We also use our planning expertise to proactively campaign for local authority planning policies that safeguard and enhance our beautiful and varied landscapes.

The role

Our small but energetic team of volunteer Trustees enable people to protect the countryside they love and enjoy the benefits it brings wherever they live.  But with your support we can do even more! 

In joining us as a Trustee on the Board you’ll have a general role in developing the charity in line with our strategy and, together with other Trustees, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission and other legal and governance regulations.  However additionally as our Lead for Supporter Development you will use your specialist knowledge to inform and guide the Trustee Board in this area and coordinate and drive forward related activities to meet agreed aims.   As part of this remit, you will also oversee the recruitment of a Communications and Supporter Care Officer (a brand new role) and have ongoing responsibility for communicating organisational requirements and providing feedback to the individual once engaged.

+Trustees initially serve a three-year term and may serve up to six years in total. 

What we need and what’s in it for you

You don’t need to have prior Trustee experience but we are looking for applicants with manager/senior level expertise in Supporter Development/Fundraising.  By volunteering with us you’ll be using what you know to help find positive solutions for the major issues facing the countryside and the environment as well as being part of a group of people who share your passion for the countryside.  Our friendly team will provide you with initial training and support to develop in your role. You’ll gain valuable skills and experience in charity governance and leadership.  Further information on role responsibilities and our skill requirements are provided in the supplementary documents available on our application website CPRENEY. 

Introduction

Do you care about the future of the countryside in North and East Yorkshire?  Do you have skills and experience in in policy development in or for Local Authorities that you could bring to our work?  CPRE North and East Yorkshire are looking for a Trustee and Local Authority Communications Lead to contribute to our important work protecting our beautiful local countryside and green spaces.

Who we are

CPRE campaigns nationally and locally for positive solutions which safeguard the long-term future of our precious countryside which is facing multiple threats. At national level, the charity produces in-depth research and sound arguments to press government, Parliament and other decision-makers to support our countryside, be it national landscapes or simply much loved local green spaces, through policies which ensure:

- The right development in the right place

- Active support to improve biodiversity and 

- Countryside protection from climate change impacts and contribution to climate change solutions.

Here in North and East Yorkshire, the largest of the CPRE regions (6,900 square miles!), we have a successful track record of enabling residents and community groups to help shape development in ways that enrich the countryside around them. We also use our planning expertise to proactively campaign for local authority planning policies that safeguard and enhance our beautiful and varied landscapes.

The role

Our small but energetic team of volunteer Trustees enable people to protect the countryside they love and enjoy the benefits it brings wherever they live.  But with your support we can do even more! 

In joining us as a Trustee on the Board you’ll have a general role in developing the charity in line with our strategy and, together with other Trustees, ensuring compliance with Charity Commission and other legal and governance regulations.  However additionally as our Lead for Local Authority Communications you will use your particular  knowledge of policy development in this arena to inform and guide the Trustee Board on Local Authority campaigning and coordinate and drive forward related activities to meet agreed aims.   

+Trustees initially serve a three-year term and may serve up to six years in total. 

What we need and what’s in it for you

You don’t need to have prior Trustee experience but we are looking for applicants with manager/senior level experience in policy development in Local Authorities and/or as policy advisor to Local Authorities. By volunteering with us you’ll be using what you know  to help find positive solutions for the major issues facing the countryside and the environment as well as being part of a group of people who share your passion for the countryside.  Our friendly team will provide you with initial training and support to develop in your role. You’ll gain valuable skills and experience in charity governance and leadership.  Further information on role responsibilities and our skill requirements are provided in the supplementary documents available on our application website, CPRENEY.

About Access Academia

Access Academia is the charitable umbrella which was created out of the creation of the student-led publication, the Journal of Intersectional Social Justice. When Journal of Intersectional Social Justice (JISJ) was created, there were not any expectations for the project to be any more than that: a student-led academic publication. However, as it rolled on, attention for the project widened and it began to cover other topics and get involved in other realms of knowledge sharing, activism, and content creation. The creation of the seminal Access Series on the Intersections blog springboarded the idea for the JISJ to turn into something much more than a simple academic publication. Now as we have restructured the JISJ into Access Academia, we are finalising our official registration as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) in the UK. 

Our core purpose is to Make Academia More Accessible. We plan to accomplish this by many different avenues, as obviously it is a very wide-ranging goal! The main ways we plan to do this are through encouraging Open Access academia and knowledge sharing through the Access Series, expanding the themes covered on Intersections with additions such as Mental Health Mondays and Colonialism in Subject, creating accessible content across our social media platforms which encourages truthful and accurate knowledge sharing and activism, running research events to encourage students to publish and interact with academia, covering inside stories of academia, running student engagement programmes to try and make academia less of an Ivory Tower, and much more!

What is a Volunteership?

A volunteership is a unique hybrid opportunity that combines elements of volunteering and interning. Participants commit to working with a charity or nonprofit organization for a specified period of time, fulfilling a set of responsibilities and expectations. In return, they gain valuable experience, receive a letter of recommendation, and are offered LinkedIn endorsements. Additionally, they may have the chance to continue working with the charity through future hiring cycles as long as they remain a student. This experience provides both personal fulfillment through giving back to the community and professional development for future career opportunities.

Volunteership: Outreach Coordinator
Duration: May to August 2025
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled as a student

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate program.

• Strong interest in community engagement and networking.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to craft compelling emails and messages tailored to different audiences.

• Organizational skills to track outreach efforts and meet targets.

• Comfortable using email outreach tools (e.g., Mailchimp, Google Sheets, etc.) or willingness to learn.

• Experience with or interest in nonprofit work is a plus.

• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple outreach tasks.

• Passion for contributing to social impact and building connections that support charitable initiatives.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Email Outreach:

  • Meet a monthly email outreach quota, targeting potential partners and other key stakeholders.

  • Craft personalized and engaging outreach emails to build and maintain relationships with various groups.

  • Follow up with contacts to nurture relationships and drive engagement with the charity's initiatives.

• Community Engagement:

  • Assist in developing and implementing outreach strategies to expand the charity’s network and reach.

  • Help coordinate outreach efforts for specific campaigns, events, or initiatives.

  • Track responses and report on outreach success rates, identifying areas for improvement.

• Research & Networking:

  • Conduct research to identify new potential partners, supporters, or collaborators for the charity.

  • Assist with compiling contact lists and gathering relevant information for outreach purposes.

• Campaign Support:

  • Support the development of email campaigns, including drafting email copy and ensuring timely distribution.

  • Help maintain and update the charity's contact database, ensuring accuracy and compliance with privacy standards.

• Post-Event & Programme Reporting:

  • Help in post-event evaluations, collecting feedback from participants, and reporting on outcomes.

  • Assist in maintaining and updating event and programme documentation for future reference.

• Collaboration & Teamwork:

  • Collaborate with internal teams and volunteers to ensure Access Academia's message is shared correctly and consistently.

  • Contribute and attend all meetings for the Outreach & Marketing team and directions from the Director of Outreach & Marketing.

  • Meet all given deadlines on time and consistently.

What You’ll Gain:

• Hands-on experience in outreach, community engagement, and relationship management.

• Opportunities to develop communication skills, including email marketing and networking strategies.

• A letter of recommendation upon successful completion of the volunteership.

• Certification of participation at the end of the volunteership.

• LinkedIn endorsements and the chance to be considered for future hiring cycles with the charity.

Good Vibrations is a national arts organisation that changes lives through music. We work with some of the most vulnerable and hard to reach people in the UK, including in prisons, secure hospitals, and in the community. We are best known for using the Indonesian gamelan, a magnificent set of bronze gongs, xylophones and drums. We use communal music-making to support vulnerable people in challenging circumstances to develop transferable life and work skills and to forge fulfilling, constructive lives.

We have an outstanding track record, with the impact of our work evidenced through nine independent pieces of academic research, including by Cambridge University and the University of London.

We are a Registered UK Learning Provider and OCNL Qualification Centre and hold National High Secure Prison Effective Intervention Status.

We are looking for new people to join our Board of Trustees as two members are reaching the end of their tenure. This is a very rewarding voluntary position with an ambitious charity.

We are looking for people with experience of one (or more) of the following areas:

• Lived experience of challenging circumstances / complex needs
• The arts / music in particular
• Fundraising
• Law
• The Criminal Justice System
• Business development
• Financial management
• Strategy

In particular we are looking for a treasurer to help provide strategic financial oversight, ensuring the charity’s financial stability and compliance with regulatory requirements. As a trustee, the Treasurer will work closely with the Board, CEO, Head of Delivery, and any finance-related professional advisors to support decision-making and financial planning. 

This is a voluntary governance role for which your travel expenses would be covered. Trustees are asked to commit to attending 4 meetings (in the evenings) and 1 strategic development day a year. They are also asked for help by sharing their skills on developmental projects. We are particularly interested in people who have experienced the issues participants of our courses have experienced.

To see who is already on our Board, visit Our Board of Trustees on our website's about us section.

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals to expand our existing Trustee Board, to bring their experience and fresh, innovative and realistic ideas to the charity.

To apply click below and please include a CV and cover letter.

About Access Academia

Access Academia is the charitable umbrella which was created out of the creation of the student-led publication, the Journal of Intersectional Social Justice. When Journal of Intersectional Social Justice (JISJ) was created, there were not any expectations for the project to be any more than that: a student-led academic publication. However, as it rolled on, attention for the project widened and it began to cover other topics and get involved in other realms of knowledge sharing, activism, and content creation. The creation of the seminal Access Series on the Intersections blog springboarded the idea for the JISJ to turn into something much more than a simple academic publication. Now as we have restructured the JISJ into Access Academia, we are finalising our official registration as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) in the UK. 

Our core purpose is to Make Academia More Accessible. We plan to accomplish this by many different avenues, as obviously it is a very wide-ranging goal! The main ways we plan to do this are through encouraging Open Access academia and knowledge sharing through the Access Series, expanding the themes covered on Intersections with additions such as Mental Health Mondays and Colonialism in Subject, creating accessible content across our social media platforms which encourages truthful and accurate knowledge sharing and activism, running research events to encourage students to publish and interact with academia, covering inside stories of academia, running student engagement programmes to try and make academia less of an Ivory Tower, and much more!

What is a Volunteership?

A volunteership is a unique hybrid opportunity that combines elements of volunteering and interning. Participants commit to working with a charity or nonprofit organization for a specified period of time, fulfilling a set of responsibilities and expectations. In return, they gain valuable experience, receive a letter of recommendation, and are offered LinkedIn endorsements. Additionally, they may have the chance to continue working with the charity through future hiring cycles as long as they remain a student. This experience provides both personal fulfillment through giving back to the community and professional development for future career opportunities.

Volunteership: Content Designer
Duration: May to August 2025
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled as a student

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate program.

• Strong interest in content creation, design, and digital communication.

• Proficiency in design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, etc.).

• Excellent written and visual communication skills.

• Strong attention to detail and creative problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to produce high-quality content under deadlines.

• A portfolio or examples of previous work (e.g., social media graphics, posters, digital campaigns) is a plus.

• Familiarity with social media platforms and trends (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.).

• Passion for contributing to social impact and supporting charitable causes.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Content Creation & Design:

  • Design and produce a minimum of 2 social media posts per month, ensuring they are aligned with the charity's voice and branding.

  • Create engaging visual content for various platforms, including social media, newsletters, and website updates.

  • Work with the marketing team to develop creative concepts for campaigns and initiatives.

• Content Strategy & Planning:

  • Assist in developing content strategies that resonate with the charity’s target audience.

  • Ensure content is on-brand, consistent in style, and optimized for different digital platforms.

  • Help create and maintain a content calendar, ensuring timely delivery of posts and materials.

• Brand Consistency:

  • Maintain a consistent visual and written tone across all digital platforms.

  • Stay updated on design trends and digital marketing strategies to ensure content is fresh and engaging.

• Collaboration & Teamwork:

  • Collaborate with internal teams and volunteers to ensure a consistent post schedule.

  • Contribute and attend all meetings for the Content Creation Team and directions from the Director of Content Creation.

  • Meet all given deadlines on time and consistently.

What You’ll Gain:

• Hands-on experience in content design and digital marketing.

• Opportunities to build and expand your design portfolio with real-world projects.

• A letter of recommendation upon successful completion of the volunteership.

• Certification of participation at the end of the volunteership.

• LinkedIn endorsements and the chance to be considered for future hiring cycles with the charity.

About Access Academia

Access Academia is the charitable umbrella which was created out of the creation of the student-led publication, the Journal of Intersectional Social Justice. When Journal of Intersectional Social Justice (JISJ) was created, there were not any expectations for the project to be any more than that: a student-led academic publication. However, as it rolled on, attention for the project widened and it began to cover other topics and get involved in other realms of knowledge sharing, activism, and content creation. The creation of the seminal Access Series on the Intersections blog springboarded the idea for the JISJ to turn into something much more than a simple academic publication. Now as we have restructured the JISJ into Access Academia, we are finalising our official registration as a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) in the UK. 

Our core purpose is to Make Academia More Accessible. We plan to accomplish this by many different avenues, as obviously it is a very wide-ranging goal! The main ways we plan to do this are through encouraging Open Access academia and knowledge sharing through the Access Series, expanding the themes covered on Intersections with additions such as Mental Health Mondays and Colonialism in Subject, creating accessible content across our social media platforms which encourages truthful and accurate knowledge sharing and activism, running research events to encourage students to publish and interact with academia, covering inside stories of academia, running student engagement programmes to try and make academia less of an Ivory Tower, and much more!

What is a Volunteership?

A volunteership is a unique hybrid opportunity that combines elements of volunteering and interning. Participants commit to working with a charity or nonprofit organization for a specified period of time, fulfilling a set of responsibilities and expectations. In return, they gain valuable experience, receive a letter of recommendation, and are offered LinkedIn endorsements. Additionally, they may have the chance to continue working with the charity through future hiring cycles as long as they remain a student. This experience provides both personal fulfillment through giving back to the community and professional development for future career opportunities.

Volunteership: Content Writer
Duration: May to August 2025
Eligibility: Must be currently enrolled as a student

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate program.

• Strong interest in writing, critical analysis, and reserach.

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills with attention to detail.

• Ability to write clear, engaging, and well-researched articles for various audiences.

• Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple writing assignments.

• Passion for contributing to social impact and supporting charitable initiatives.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Content Creation:

  • Write a minimum of 2 written articles per month for the charity’s blog, Intersections, newsletter, or other communication channels.

  • Research and produce content on topics that align with the charity’s mission and goals.

  • Produce a minimum of 1 Access Series article per month.

  • Ensure that all written materials are on-brand, consistent in tone, and relevant to the target audience.

• SEO & Optimization:

  • Apply SEO best practices to all written content to maximize reach and engagement.

  • Optimize articles for readability, clarity, and search engine visibility.

• Editing & Proofreading:

  • Review and revise your own content, as well as provide feedback on content produced by others.

  • Ensure all content is grammatically correct, coherent, and polished before publication.

• Collaboration & Teamwork:

  • Collaborate with internal teams and volunteers to ensure a consistent upload schedule.

  • Contribute and attend all meetings for the Content Creation Team and directions from the Director of Content Creation.

  • Meet all given deadlines on time and consistently.

What You’ll Gain:

• Hands-on experience in content writing, storytelling, and digital marketing.

• Opportunities to build your research portfolio with real-world projects that align with a meaningful cause.

• Certification of participation at the end of the volunteership.

• A letter of recommendation upon successful completion of the volunteership.

• LinkedIn endorsements and the chance to be considered for future hiring cycles with the charity.

About the Safeguarding Trustee Role

Role Overview

The Safeguarding Trustee ensures Rebuilding Lives UK meets all safeguarding obligations and promotes a culture of safeguarding at every level. They provide expert oversight, policy guidance, and ensure best practices are embedded across the organisation. The Safeguarding Trustee works closely with senior leadership to ensure the organisation remains compliant with safeguarding regulations. Trustees are expected to be actively involved in the charity’s work, providing hands-on support where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure robust safeguarding policies are in place, regularly reviewed, and adhered to.
• Provide safeguarding advice to the board and senior leadership.
• Ensure all trustees and staff receive appropriate safeguarding training.
• Oversee risk management relating to safeguarding, ensuring all cases are handled correctly.
• Promote a safeguarding-first approach across the charity’s activities.
• Ensure compliance with relevant safeguarding legislation and guidance.
• Act as the board’s safeguarding lead, providing regular updates and reports.
• Trustees share collective responsibility for the charity’s governance, ensuring the charity’s mission is achieved and its operations are effective. Trustees support the CEO by contributing to strategic planning, offering expertise, and working together to provide the necessary oversight and direction for the charity’s growth and success.

Who We Are Looking For

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Professional experience in safeguarding children or adults.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to advise on safeguarding matters.
• Awareness of safeguarding regulations in the charity sector.
• Ability to ensure safeguarding remains a board-level priority.

What You’ll Gain from This Role

Becoming a trustee with Rebuilding Lives UK is more than just a governance role—it’s an opportunity to be part of a team dedicated to creating real, lasting change. As a trustee, you will:

• Play a vital role in supporting survivors and helping them rebuild their lives.
• Be part of a passionate and driven team working towards a shared mission.
• Gain valuable leadership, governance, and strategic experience.
• Develop transferable skills in decision-making, safeguarding, and advocacy.
• Expand your professional network and engage with like-minded individuals.
• Have access to training and development opportunities to strengthen your expertise.

Mandatory Training Requirement

The Safeguarding Trustee must complete trustee governance and safeguarding training within the first three months of appointment. Additional training will follow as needed.

Terms of Appointment

Trustees serve an initial one-year term, with the option for renewal up to a maximum of three years.

Voluntary Role

All voluntary roles are subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

This is an unpaid remote position (UK Based); however, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. 

Time Commitment:

• 8 hours per month, including:
  • Monthly board meetings (held via Zoom).
  • Active involvement in governance and decision-making processes.
  • Annual half-day strategy session to contribute to the charity’s direction.
  • Engagement in charity activities beyond board meetings, as appropriate.

Branch Trustees

RSPCA Stort Valley Branch – multiple opportunities

Help us make the world a better place for animals

RSPCA Branches rescue, rehabilitate and rehome those animals most at risk through clinics, animal centres, boarding and fostering facilities; offer advice and education on animal welfare; and support with microchipping, neutering and subsidised animal treatments for animals owned by people in financial difficulty.

Each RSPCA branch (of which there are approx. 150) is a separately registered charity, operating at a local level across England and Wales. Branches did 78% of the rehoming activity across the RSPCA network in 2020 and took more than 31,000 animals into their care. There are also over 300 RSPCA charity shops, all of which are run by RSPCA branches. The RSPCA has been at the forefront of animal welfare since 1824 when we were founded in a London coffee shop, and we’re proud to be the oldest animal welfare charity around.

What does RSPCA Stort Valley Branch do?

We cover an area either side of the M11 from Saffron Walden in the north to Harlow in the south and fundraise and offer welfare services within this area.

The animal welfare services that we offer are centred around our busy clinic in Harlow and include:

•  Subsidised routine veterinary treatment and microchipping for owned animals - in 2024, we made over 2,200 consultations at our Harlow clinic and administered more than 500 vaccinations and 250 microchips.
•  Advice and education
• Community outreach

We operate a charity shop in Bishops Stortford town centre, selling clothes, books, games and other items to help with our fundraising.

In addition to our Harlow clinic, we work closely with RSPCA animal centres and inspectors to support their work and to look after and re-home animals rescued in our branch area. We also support neighbouring branches by seeing some owned animals from their nearby towns at our clinic. We are working to improve our fostering network to help with rehoming, and are keen to step up our fundraising work to enable us to provide additional welfare support to the community.

What do RSPCA branch trustees do?

RSPCA branch trustees are volunteers who shape the work that the branch does, and are collectively responsible for governing and managing the affairs of the branch. “Trustees have overall control of a charity and are responsible for making sure it’s doing what it was set up to do.” “Trustees are the people who lead the charity and decide how it is run.” “They may be known by other titles, such as: directors, board members, governors, committee members” - Charity Commission. At Stort Valley, we have a lovely team of staff and volunteers with experienced, capable people managing our shop and clinic day-to-day. Trustees will set the strategy, make the big decisions and lead on new initiatives.

To find out more about being a Trustee, visit the Goverment Trustee - What's involved which explains what trustees do. There is some information on the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees, and 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.

Stort Valley Branch is presently in the process of converting to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (‘CIO’), the modern legal form for many charities - loosely equivalent to a Limited Company. We expect to complete the change in the second half of this year (2025).

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for applications from people from all social and cultural backgrounds, who are passionate about improving animal welfare. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced trustee or not, as trustee training and induction will be provided. If you can bring relevant skills and experience from other aspects of your life, that’s great, and we’re pretty sure you’ll learn some new ones here!

Right now, we would like to recruit several additional Trustees. We’ll define and re-balance the roles of all the Trustees once our new Trustees have settled in, so we’re not necessarily looking for you to select a specific role at this stage. The opportunities could include taking the lead on fundraising, overseeing our clinic or shop, increasing our local outreach and education activities, enhancing our online presence and recognition, and more. Ideally, for some of the roles, you’ll be relatively local to the branch area; others can be done remotely.

We hold monthly Trustees’ meetings, which last 1.5~2 hours. We ask for Trustees to join as many of these meetings as possible. You’ll also need to allow time to prepare for meetings - creating or reading through any relevant documents in advance – and of course, for the specific activities you take on. We normally meet in the evening, online (Google Meet), at times chosen to suit Trustees’ availability.

Trustees are elected or re-elected for a 12-month term at the branch’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). Between AGMs, branches have the ability to co-opt an additional three trustees who serve until the next AGM and can then be elected.

What’s in it for you?

There are lots of benefits to becoming an RSPCA Branch Trustee, including:

•  induction and trustee training
•  the chance to meet like-minded people who share your enthusiasm for animal welfare
•  the opportunity to gain new skills and develop existing ones
• the ability to use your skills to improve the wellbeing of animals in your local area, and make a real difference to the lives of animals
•  the capacity to shape innovative projects, and be part of the RSPCA’s ten-year strategy - “Together for animal welfare”
•  access to our learning hub, which contains training materials and courses on a variety of subjects
•  the chance to shape the services in your local area
•  volunteering is good for your wellbeing.

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.

Shout is the UK’s only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. When people text 'Shout' to 85258, they are connected to a Shout Volunteer for a text conversation. Our volunteers provide a safe space for people to share what's causing them distress, while showing warmth and compassion.

Tasks and Responsibilities

If your application is successful, you’ll be enrolled in a training group. New groups start every two weeks.

Shout Volunteers receive 25 hours of free training in communication, listening, managing and assessing risk, and problem solving. The training is self-paced and done online. You’ll learn how to bring people in distress to a place of calm and practice skills that will be useful to you throughout life.

As we are investing in you throughout your time with us, our hope is that you will complete the training in a timely manner and look at this as a longer term commitment. The experience you gain over time is valuable and our goal is to have volunteers commit to 200 hours on the platform, which can take up to two years to complete, as we ask you to take one 2-4 hour shift per week. 

Our Volunteer Training Support team is here to support you, answer any questions and provide feedback during training and throughout your time with Shout. You’ll be joining an incredibly supportive volunteer community and have access to the resources you need to do your role.

As a volunteer, you’ll be supporting people in distress, so it’s important we see the skills required to do that while you are in training. While most trainees complete the training and go on to volunteer, not everyone will pass the training. If this happens, there are other ways you can still support us.

Selection Criteria

A Shout Volunteer is kind and compassionate, a good listener, and has the ability to remain calm when supporting people in crisis. You will also:

• Understand the difference between being friendly and being a friend

• Be aware of your own mental health and wellbeing

• Be open-minded

• Be supportive

• Be reliable

• Be discreet and able to respect confidentiality at all times

• Be accepting and non-judgemental

• Be passionate about contributing some of your time to a cause such as Shout

• Adopt a growth mindset, and be willing to accept feedback

Requirements

• You must live in the United Kingdom or New Zealand while volunteering. 
• You must be over 18 years of age.
• You will need a reliable internet connection and a private place to take your shift.
• All of your volunteering must be done using a laptop or desktop computer and Google Chrome.

It’s worth spending time thinking about the nature of the role, and whether it’s right for you. We support all texters, regardless of race, religion, sexual identity or issue. You will need to be comfortable addressing topics frequently discussed with texters (suicide, self-harm, depression, etc.) without compromising your own mental health. 

Before you apply, please consider whether either of the following applies to you:

• Have you recently experienced grief, loss or change issue/s? For example; someone close to you has been ill or has died, you’ve lost your job, your relationship has ended.

• Is your current mental health and wellbeing in a place such that the stress and pressure of listening to the challenges of others would bring additional burden to you personally?

Benefits to Volunteers

The role is rewarding and can save lives. Shout Volunteers tell us they gain a sense of pride, satisfaction and purpose from taking conversations. They also tell us that their own wellbeing increases, they learn valuable skills and gain experience they can use at work and in their personal lives.

Volunteering can also be a great addition to your CV. You do not need to have any past experience in mental health to be a Shout Volunteer - we’ll provide you with all the training and support you need to do the role.

Application Process

You will need to create your account and fill in the application using a laptop or desktop computer and in a Google Chrome browser. This is a standard requirement for all of our systems at Shout, from the application through to the platform.

You should leave up to an hour to complete the form. As Shout is a text based service and we do not conduct in person interviews for our volunteer candidates what you write in your application and the strength of your references are how we get to know you. 

We appreciate when candidates take the time to write thoughtful, considered answers. We recommend you review your application with an eye toward things like spelling, grammar and punctuation. While some of our texters will occasionally reach out using more informal text speak, our volunteers respond in full sentences and double check their messages for accuracy before hitting send. 

Your application will be reviewed once we have received responses from both of your references. We ask for a personal reference and a professional reference. The personal reference can be a friend or colleague but the other must be someone who knows you professionally or has supervised you in some way. 

This could be a manager or supervisor from where you work or a teacher or educator from where you study. We recommend you choose references who are able to speak to your ability to fulfil the selection criteria outlined above.

We do not accept references from family members. This includes your partner or their relatives, your children, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents or godparents. 

Please allow up to a month for us to review your application and return a decision. 

If your application is approved, you can book your place on training. Training groups usually start every two weeks and spaces are available to book a couple of months ahead. While you are in training and before you are allowed on the platform we will carry out a background check.

About the Chair of Trustee Role

Role Overview

The Chair of Trustees ensures effective governance and strategic direction for Rebuilding Lives UK. They provide leadership to the board, oversee decision-making, and act as a key ambassador for the charity. The Chair supports the Chief Executive while ensuring accountability and compliance with regulatory requirements. A key responsibility of the Chair is to ensure that all trustees are actively engaged in their roles, fulfilling their responsibilities, and participating in training.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the board to ensure strong governance, accountability, and strategic leadership.
• Ensure that all trustees actively fulfill their roles, contribute to decision-making, and engage with the charity’s work.
• Provide mentorship and oversight to the Chief Executive.
• Hold trustees accountable for attending training and participating in board activities.
• Ensure that safeguarding measures are implemented across the charity.
• Oversee board meetings, ensuring productive discussions and informed decision-making.
• Represent the charity externally and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Support financial oversight, ensuring sustainability and compliance.
• Be actively involved in the charity’s operations where possible, offering support beyond governance.
• The Chair plays a key role in providing strategic direction and supporting the CEO through regular mentoring and guidance. While the board collectively oversees the charity’s performance, the Chair works closely with the CEO to ensure they are supported in their role, offering insights and fostering a collaborative relationship between the CEO and trustees.

Who We Are Looking For

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Experience in chairing boards or senior governance roles.
• Strong strategic leadership and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
• Minimum of 10 hours per month dedicated to board duties.

What You’ll Gain from This Role

Becoming a trustee with Rebuilding Lives UK is more than just a governance role—it’s an opportunity to be part of a team dedicated to creating real, lasting change. As a trustee, you will:

• Play a vital role in supporting survivors and helping them rebuild their lives.
• Be part of a passionate and driven team working towards a shared mission.
• Gain valuable leadership, governance, and strategic experience.
• Develop transferable skills in decision-making, safeguarding, and advocacy.
• Expand your professional network and engage with like-minded individuals.
• Have access to training and development opportunities to strengthen your expertise.

Mandatory Training Requirement

All trustees, including the Chair, are required to complete trustee governance and safeguarding training within the first three months of their appointment. Additional training will follow as needed.

Terms of Appointment

The Chair serves an initial one-year term, with the option for renewal up to a maximum of three years.

Voluntary Role

All voluntary roles are subject to satisfactory references and an enhanced DBS check.

This is an unpaid remote position (UK Based); however, reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. 

Time Commitment:

• 10 hours per month, including:
  • Monthly board meetings (held via Zoom).
  • Providing strategic leadership and guidance to the CEO.
  • Annual half-day strategy session and leadership planning.
  • Regular check-ins with trustees to ensure engagement and accountability.

Help celebrate and share the rich culture & heritage of the Chilterns

Do you love the unique history and culture of the Chilterns? Are you passionate about sharing it with others? If so, join our volunteer Chilterns Heritage & Culture Festival Committee and help bring incredible events to life!

We’re looking for Event Committee Volunteers and a Lead Event Committee Volunteer to help shape and deliver our highly successful Spring and Autumn Chilterns Heritage & Culture Festivals.

Why Volunteer?

For the past eight years, our festivals have celebrated the best of the Chilterns—uncovering hidden gems, hosting exclusive visits to historic houses and museums, and bringing people together for engaging walks, talks, and artistic events. Thousands have attended, and with our 60th anniversary this year, we’re refreshing and expanding the festival to reach even more people.

What You’ll Do

• Shape the Festival – Suggest exciting events, connect with potential venues, and visit sites to assess their festival potential.
• Plan & Organise – Join committee meetings (in person or online), assist with agendas and minutes (Lead Volunteer), and help keep event details organised.
• Be a Festival Ambassador – Welcome guests, answer questions, and – with the venue – help ensure events run smoothly as an on-the-ground event marshal.
• Collaborate – Work with our Project Manager so she has all the event details, for marketing, and the booking system.

Is This You?

• You have a good knowledge of the Chilterns and love exploring its visitor attractions—big and small!
• You’re enthusiastic about selecting and curating suitable events that will appeal to both new and returning festival-goers.
• You can attend occasional daytime meetings and handle light admin tasks.
• You’re happy to be the welcoming face of the festival, greeting visitors and helping events run seamlessly.

Join Us and Make a Difference!

This is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside like-minded people, share your love of the Chilterns, and represent the diverse communities of our region. The Chiltern Society values diversity and inclusion and welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds.

Be part of something special—apply today by filling in the form below.

Interviews are ongoing, so don’t wait—get involved now! 

Chair of the Board
Minimum 2-year period
8 hours / 4 meetings per year

Our client was established in 1979, to improve the quality and wellbeing of the Chinese community living in the UK, empowering and working them to meet their needs while also focusing on preserving their culture and heritage.

Based adjacent to Leicester Square, London, they take their income through membership fees, fundraising events, donations and room hire.

Their aim is to improve the quality and wellbeing of their community, empowering and working with them to meet their needs while also focusing on preserving the Chinese culture and heritage. They offer valuable advice and support; they have helped more than 60,000 people over the years. During the past 20 years alone, their Centre has secured claims of over £29m in benefits to assist those in need.

 The majority of Chinese immigrants to the UK prosper well; our client targets their services at:

• Those who are in need of support as they grow older.
• New arrivals whilst they settle into their new life in the UK.
• Younger members of the community who grow up in the UK and seek opportunities to connect with their Chinese heritage, culture and language.

 To meet these needs, they provide:

• Support with translation, completion of government forms and benefit claims, for those on low-income or even no-income within their community.
• Cultural and educational classes.

What are they looking for?

• To have an understanding, knowledge, or experience of the charity or non-profit sectors.
• To be able to operate strategically and to work effectively with the Board of Trustees and Centre Director to develop the strategic vision for the charity.
• Work closely with the Centre Director to ensure the smooth running of governance and oversight processes, board meetings, and agendas.
• Where appropriate, the Chair will represent our client at public events organised by and for themselves.
• Support the Centre Director and wider organisation in generating new fundraising opportunities and in identifying and establishing partnerships.

Those who have been involved in the voluntary sector are especially welcome to help guide our client’s Centre through future challenges.

The Commitment:

Being a Chair of the Board is an “Unpaid” role lasting for a minimum of TWO years. You will need to take part in a minimum of four board meetings which will take about six hours in total of your time each year.

For You:

The acknowledgement and fulfilment of contributing to an underprivileged part of our client’s community.

Apply now with your CV.

Unremunerated, travel expenses reimbursed
Four board meetings a year (London and Remotely)

Willow is the only charity that provides uplifting, unforgettable and unique experiences for young adults aged 16 to 40 across the UK who are living with a life-threatening or life-limiting illness. Every year we aim to support more than 1200 people, helping them share magical moments with their loved ones and create precious memories. Now In our 25th year, Willow has helped more than 22,000 seriously ill young adults to make magical memories with their families.

Willow believes that every moment should be precious. We’re dedicated to helping young adults take much needed time out from the reality of living with serious illness, creating magic moments that become lasting memories.

Role purpose

Working closely with our current board members and staff, your expertise in fundraising will help us scrutinise and enhance our fundraising strategy and further allow us to deliver even more unique experiences. Your knowledge and experience within the charity sector in a senior fundraising role operating at a strategic level preferably having served on a board, are ideal for this voluntary and rewarding position.

An innovative thinker with a consultative approach, you will demonstrate a healthy understanding of risk, and in translating strategy into operational plans, be willing to speak up and contribute openly and collaborate with integrity and respect within our talented Board of Trustees.

At willow we believe in Nolan’s seven principles of public life, namely: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

If you would like to make a difference in our world, this is a great opportunity to bring your skills, knowledge and experience to help us deliver on our mission.

To apply and for further information, please visit our website via the apply button, where you can download our bespoke appointment brief and opportunity to have an informal discussion if desired.

Empathos Foundation is seeking a creative and passionate Social Media Graphics Designer to help us create engaging and visually appealing posts for our social media platforms, including Instagram and LinkedIn. As a remote volunteer role, you'll work approximately 4 hours per week, designing content that aligns with our mission and campaigns.

You’ll have access to Canva Pro and be part of a supportive team that values your input and creativity. This role is perfect for someone eager to gain experience in the non-profit sector, build their design portfolio, and contribute to a meaningful cause.

What You’ll Do:

• Design graphics for social media posts in line with our branding.
• Collaborate with the team to align content with ongoing campaigns.
• Create visually compelling content that resonates with our audience.

The Impact of Your Work:

As a Social Media Graphics Designer at Empathos Foundation, your work will directly support our efforts to raise awareness, engage our community, and inspire action.

• Amplify our message: Your designs will communicate our campaigns and bring attention to initiatives in healthcare, education, and poverty relief.
• Increase engagement: By creating eye-catching content, you’ll help us reach more people and encourage interaction with our platforms.
• Shape our online presence: Your contributions will strengthen our brand and elevate our visibility, ensuring our message reaches those who need it most.

Skills, Experience, and Qualities:

• Graphic Design Skills: Proficient in tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Suite.
• Social Media Savvy: Understanding of Instagram and LinkedIn trends and best practices.
• Passion for Making a Difference: Enthusiastic about supporting impactful causes through creative design.
• Fast Turnaround: Able to deliver high-quality designs quickly and efficiently.
• Attention to Detail: Consistency with branding and a strong eye for design aesthetics.
• Collaboration: Willingness to work with a team and incorporate feedback.
• Time Management: Commit to 4 hours per week and effectively manage tasks.

Your designs will not just be graphics—they’ll be catalysts for change, inspiring others to join our mission and make a difference.

Join us as a Social Media Graphics Designer to use your creativity for good and help Empathos Foundation make an even greater impact.