Flexible volunteering volunteer roles in london

"Before I never used to open a book because I thought I couldn’t read but now I can. I used to think it was boring reading before but now I don't." - from a learner working with an ALT Reading Coach

The Adult Literacy Trust (ALT) wants to help adult learners break the cycle of poor literacy by offering them personalised reading support.

We offer one-to-one literacy support as a complement to formal teaching in education settings. We are dedicated to ensuring that adults who wish to improve their literacy skills - and to increase their life chances - receive the help they need to become confident readers.

Would you like to support an adult learner to become a confident reader? We are looking for volunteers to become trained Reading Coaches and work with adult learners on a one-to-one (or sometimes one-to-two) basis.

What it looks like in practice:

• Meeting a learner weekly, on-site at their college campus, typically before or after their formal classes for about an hour a week
• Building a constructive relationship with a learner
• Helping to check the learner’s understanding, build their confidence in reading, and provide support where needed
• Helping the learner practice skills they’re learning in the classroom and encourage confidence and resilience so that they persist with their studies

Where and when:

We have opportunities across London and we'll work around your schedule.

ALT is partnered with a range of colleges across London as we assign you to a location that works for you. All our locations are listed on our website.

The timings are flexible - ALT match you to a learner based on your respective availability. Typically, most ALT sessions take place sometime between 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday.

Personal Specification:

No prior teaching experience or qualification is needed. We provide full training so that volunteers are confident to start their sessions. However, volunteers must:

• Be at least 18
• Be able to speak and write English well enough to communicate clearly.
• Have a minimum education of a secondary school level or equivalent (i.e. hold a GCSE or equivalent, in any subject).
• Be willing to undergo a DBS check (provided by ALT)
• Have the right to volunteer in the UK 

About us:

The Adult Literacy Trust provides adults with one-to-one support to improve their reading skills and confidence, as a complement to formal education provision, ensuring that individuals who wish to improve their literacy skills receive the help they need to become successful readers, and to increase their life chances.

Delivered through a network of specially trained volunteer Reading Coaches, our charity works closely with learning providers - such as Further Education Colleges and Institutes for Adult Learning - to assist people from some of the most disadvantaged communities who could benefit from enhanced support, strengthening learners’ outcomes from their participation in adult community education.

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

Volunteering in the shop

We've recently reopened our Islington Shop with a gorgeous new look inspired by the neighbouring film studios. In amongst the retro cinema seats and beautiful backstage velvet curtains you'll find unique vintage treasures and lovingly curated donated stock, hand picked by our brilliant volunteer team.

Our Islington Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children. 

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related). 

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button. 

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

About us

Age UK is the country's leading charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life. The over-60s is the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations..

Address: 26 High Street, Ware

The role in a nutshell:

Volunteers help to keep our UK charity shops running like clockwork and are an essential part of everything that we do. Our charity shops raise vital funds that support the wide range of services Age UK delivers, so if you have some free time available and would like to help, we’d love to hear from you! Whether you are looking to gain new skills and experiences, use those you already have or are just looking for a way to get out and meet new people, then we have flexible options to suit you!What will you be doing?

Volunteer Shop Assistants carry out a wide range of tasks in their roles. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, keeping our shop floor full and organised or supporting with raffle ticket sales and promoting gift aid.

How would you be supported in this role?

When you begin your role, you will receive a mix of e-learning and in-person training to get you started. Throughout the role, you will receive refresher training as required as well as ongoing support, reimbursement for role-related expenses and the opportunity to further shape the volunteering you do.

Why do we need volunteers in this role?

Age UK operates charity shops to raise funds for the delivery of services for older people in need. Volunteers play a key role in the shop team, ensuring our shops are welcoming places in the community and selling the items that are generously donated to our organisation.

Additional information:

We offer a variety of flexible shifts for volunteers.

What skills, interests or experience might be helpful in this role?

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning, will follow Age UKs policies and be an excellent representative for the charity. We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities, so we will do what we can to find a role which works for you.

We are looking for a Volunteer Fundraiser to support our fundraising activities with the initial focus on Corporate Partnerships. 

This role will play a key part in achieving our Vision where disabled children and young adults along with their families can together enjoy a rewarding life, which is fun, beneficial and above all fulfilling.   

This post is subject to an enhanced disclosure application to the Disclosure and Barring Services. 

Whether you have a few hours or days to spare, volunteering can be extremely rewarding. From learning new skills to meeting new people we are looking for people who have are fun motivated to learn some new skills.

We are looking for people to cover all areas of our shops including:

- Working on the till
- Sorting and steaming donations
- Styling and merchandising the shop floor
- Listing items on eBay, Vinted and other digital platforms

Our shops are a large source of income for The Fertility Foundation and the heart of our shops is the volunteers that give up their time to help run the shops. The Fertility Foundation uses the income to provide grants for couples and individuals in the UK to help them start a family.

We are looking for volunteers for our Waltham Cross shop.

TASKS

To welcome, assist and serve our customers in a warm and friendly way providing a good standard of customer service. To ensure Gift Aid is explained clearly and promoted to all our donors and thanking them for their valuable contribution. To promote public understanding of our work and the importance of raising funds, promoting our charity events and activities to the public. Help sort, steam, hang and display our donated stock and rotate the stock following the manager’s guidelines. Dealing with customer purchases, confidently process the cash handling and accurate operation of the till.

SKILLS & QUALITIES

 Be a Honest, trustworthy and respectful with an enthusiastic positive attitude. Have good communication and numeracy skills. to be a reliable, commited, dependable and flexible. Able to work as part of a team as well as under your own initiative.

ABOUT THE FERTILITY FOUNDATION

The Fertility Foundation aims to continue being the leading patient charity across the UK in the provision of IVF funding and support network for those facing fertility challenges at all stages of their journey, providing authoritative information as well as practical and emotional support.

Around 1 in 7 couples today have trouble conceiving, which equates to 3.5 million people in the UK. The prospect of facing any kind of fertility problem is very distressing to live with and many people believe that no one else really understands. For many struggling to conceive being denied access to NHS funding means their hopes of starting a family can seem impossible. We aim to help them navigate this journey through introductions to our support network, assistance with dealing the CCG’s, working on their behalf with clinics and ultimately providing funding.

We understand the assistance needed on an individual’s journey is as unique as they are. We setup The Fertility Foundation based on our overwhelming desire to help as many people as we can to either start or extend their family.

TO APPLY

Please use the link below to complete your application. We would recommend that you read the job description and personal specification below before applying. 

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

Volunteering in the shop

Mary's Living & Giving for Save the Children is unique - a vibrant result of the generous gifts of local individuals and companies being turned around by the skills and passions of volunteer teams, to create a destination retail experience. Selling womenswear, menswear, shoes, and bags to household goods, our shops can be found in the London villages and bring in vital funds for Save the Children.

Our Little Venice Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children. 

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related). 

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button. 

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. 

Ready to Lead and Empower London's Youth? Become Our Volunteer, Youth Charity Manager!

Urban Youth, a brand-new, vibrant youth work charity, is on a mission to create a positive, inclusive community for young Londoners. We're seeking a dedicated Volunteer for the role of Youth Charity Manager to help us get set up, registered, and effectively run, empowering young people across the city. This flexible role will require approximately 6-8 hours per week with lots of flexibility.

Running the Show, Magnifying the Mission

At Urban Youth, we're not just about running activities; we're about sparking self-discovery, fostering friendships, and equipping young people with essential life skills. We're about creating unforgettable memories and guiding them to explore the world around them.

As our Youth Charity Manager, you'll be the driving force behind our operations. You'll bring your leadership skills, organisational prowess, and passion for youth development to help us:

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the charity, ensuring smooth operations.
• Coordinate our initial setup and registration, working closely with the Founder and the Trustees.
• Develop and implement engaging youth programmes and activities.
• Manage volunteer recruitment and support, building a strong team.
• Help secure funding and resources to expand our reach and impact.
• Be the main point of contact for enquiries and partnerships.

This is a unique opportunity to take the reins and play a pivotal role in launching and running Urban Youth, ensuring we make a tangible, lasting difference in the lives of young Londoners.

Why Join the Urban Youth Movement?

This is more than just volunteering; it's an opportunity to leave a profound and lasting mark:

• Make a Direct Impact: Your leadership will directly enable Urban Youth to launch, grow, and empower young people, shaping their positive futures from day one.
• Pioneer a New Initiative: Be at the forefront of a dynamic new charity, building its operations and programmes from inception.
• Utilise Your Leadership Skills: Apply your valuable experience in project management, team coordination, and charity operations to a cause that truly matters.
• Join a Passionate Community: Become part of a dedicated team committed to making a tangible difference in London.
• Flexible Hours: This role offers the flexibility to fit around your existing commitments, with approximately 6-8 hours per week.

If you're a proactive leader, passionate about youth empowerment, and ready to use your skills to help a new charity flourish and inspire the next generation, we want to hear from you! Help us create a vibrant organisation that perfectly captures the spirit and aspirations of London's incredible youth.

Ready to make your mark and help us create a wave of positive change in young people's lives?

Express your interest by applying via this Charity Job website. We can't wait to hear from you!

URBAN YOUTH

Building Futures | Forging Connections | Creating Memories.

Overview:
We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers to assist in the operation of our new community cafe. Volunteers will support the Community Cafe Managers in delivering excellent customer service, making & serving meals (sandwiches, salads, daily specials) maintaining the cafe, and engaging with the community. This is a great opportunity to contribute to a vibrant community hub, gain valuable experience, and meet new people.

Key Responsibilities:
1. Customer Service:
   - Greet and welcome customers warmly.
   - Take customer orders and process payments.
   - Make & serve food and beverages to customers.
   - Handle customer inquiries and provide information about the cafe and its offerings.

2. Cafe Maintenance:
   - Assist in setting up and closing down the cafe each day.
   - Maintain cleanliness and hygiene standards in all areas of the cafe, including the kitchen, dining area, and restrooms.
   - Wash dishes, clean tables, and ensure the cafe is tidy and presentable at all times.

3. Stock Management:
   - Help monitor stock levels and report low supplies to the manager.
   - Assist with the receipt, storage, and organisation of deliveries.
   - Restock shelves and display areas as needed.

4. Community Engagement:
   - Support community events and group activities held in the cafe.
   - Engage with customers and community members, fostering a friendly and inclusive atmosphere.
   - Help promote community programs and initiatives.

5. Team Collaboration:
   - Work collaboratively with other volunteers and staff members.
   - Attend training sessions and team meetings as required.
   - Provide feedback and suggestions to improve cafe operations.

Qualifications:
- Passion for Community Service: Enthusiasm for helping and engaging with the community.
- Customer Service Skills: Ability to interact positively with customers and provide excellent service.
- Reliability: Dependable and punctual, with a commitment to fulfilling scheduled shifts.
- Team Player: Willingness to work as part of a team and support fellow volunteers and staff.
- Adaptability: Flexibility to assist with various tasks and adapt to changing needs.
- Basic Food Handling Knowledge: Understanding of basic food hygiene practices (training will be provided).

Time Commitment:
- 4 hr shifts are available on weekdays and weekends, with flexible scheduling options.

Benefits:
- Experience: Gain valuable experience in customer service, hospitality, and community engagement.
- Training: Receive training and support from experienced managers and team members.
- Community Involvement: Make a positive impact in your community and meet new people.
- Recognition: Be part of a supportive team that values your contributions.

Application
Please fill in this application form: https://zfrmz.eu/teuq7xUKAFr5FfxDGQ9V and we will give you a call
 

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit an Activities Volunteer for the Croydon Group. As our local group Activities Volunteer you’ll help us to set up activities in the area. Whether you’re serving refreshments, talking to people, registering attendees or collecting payments, you’ll be making sure everyone feel welcome.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills. Most importantly you’ll be supporting your local group to run activities that bring friendship and fun to your local MS Community.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the area the group to carry out this role.

Time Commitment

We estimate this role will need up to two hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

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

Across the UK, our 270 local groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS. They provide sense of belonging, unity and friendship. And they deliver services and support for their local MS community.

We are looking to recruit a Support Volunteer for the South West Bucks Group. As our local group Support Volunteer you’ll help people affected by MS find information about local and national services. That could be helping someone access local information about the care or benefits they need or giving them a hand with a grant application. See a video about one of our Support Volunteers here.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your listening and communication skills, as well as your knowledge of local services. Most importantly you’ll help people affected by MS to access the help they need.

Time commitment

We estimate this role will need around 2 hours a week. Our roles are flexible and aim to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities. This is an ongoing role.

This is a great opportunity to gain experience within a large charity and develop your existing skills and learn new ones. We need you to get involved and help make positive changes to the lives of people affected by MS.

About you

You’ll have an interest in the MS Society and the work that we do, as well as the enthusiasm to represent both us and our values locally. You will understand the needs of people affected by MS in your area and be sympathetic to the needs and motivations of volunteers. You’ll be confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email. You’ll be able to apply disability, equality and inclusion practices and understand and apply our risk management system. Ideally you’ll understand the local area and organisations that provide local services.

You will be reliable and easy to contact and you need to live in or near the local area the group to carry out this role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully

2. Please apply online

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

Do you have a great idea to benefit people living with MS? At the MS Society, we campaign on a range of issues like welfare, treatments, care and support that people with MS need. We want to do more locally and want to support your ideas on making change happen. Together we can do more.

Perhaps you’ve spotted there are no blue badge spaces at your local supermarket? Or maybe your neighbourhood has no kerbs easy for wheelchairs to use? In this volunteer role, you’ll help drive change for people with MS in your community and develop your networking and influencing skills along the way.

As a campaigner you’ll bring your own ideas, local knowledge and personal experience to your campaigns. You’ll make decisions about your own campaign activities and collaborate with other campaigners in your area.

This role is flexible and aims to fit around you. Time commitments for this role may vary depending on your activities and the campaigning you’d like to do. This is an ongoing role.

Apply 

1. Read through the role description carefully (available via file attached on the right hand side)

2. Apply online, and have a welcome chat with your support staff member

As a volunteer Training and Development Officer, you will assist with the design and delivery of training programs for staff, volunteers, and placements. You will help identify learning needs and support the development of skills that enhance personal and professional growth within the organisation. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Assist in the development of training materials and resources. 

• Help coordinate and facilitate training sessions. 

• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of training programs. 

• Support in identifying training needs across various teams. 

• Ensure all training records are up-to-date and well-maintained. 

• Help create and distribute feedback forms to evaluate training sessions. 

Skills & Qualifications 

• Interest in HR, training, education, or community development. 

• Strong communication, organisation, and interpersonal skills. 

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

• Enthusiasm for helping others develop their skills and capabilities. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office or other basic office tools. 
   

Commitment 

• Minimum 15 hours per week, with flexible hours. 

Benefits 

• Gain valuable experience in training and development. 

• Contribute to a meaningful cause by empowering others through learning. 

• Opportunity to develop skills in programme evaluation and training coordination. 

Are you a parent, grandparent or have experience of caring for children?

Do you have 2-3 hours per week to spare? Use your experience to support a family facing challenging times.

Our Home-Visiting Service supports families who are experiencing difficulties or suffering stress and who have at least one child under the age of five years.

Our aims are:

To increase the confidence and independence of the family by:

Offering support, friendship and practical assistance

Visiting families in their own homes and in their community, where the dignity and identity of each adult and child can be respected and protected

Reassuring parents that difficulties in bringing up children is not unusual and encouraging them to enjoy family life.

Developing a relationship with the family in which time can be shared and understanding can be developed. This approach is flexible to take account of different needs.

Encouraging parents’ strengths and emotional wellbeing – for the ultimate benefit of their children.

Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships, and to effectively use the support and services available within the community.

About Crisis

Crisis is the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. We believe everyone should have somewhere safe and warm to call home and are committed to ending homelessness. Every year we work side by side with thousands of people from all sections of our communities to help them rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind for good.

You will contribute to ending homelessness by...

Helping us better respond to the needs of the people accessing our services. You know your community better than we do - by identifying and creating connections with a network of Eritrean organisations and community groups, such as churches and support groups, we’ll be better able to support Eritrean people who are experiencing homelessness or who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless.

Timings

Flexible, but approx. 7 hours per week – this may include evenings and/or weekends depending on the availability of community groups/organisations.

Location

Skylight London, 50 Commercial St, London E1 6LT and remote/community-based .

Responsible to

Eritrean Community Connection Volunteer Supervisor.

Core tasks

• With the Volunteer Supervisor, hold focus groups with Crisis members to identify potential contacts within Eritrean community groups and increase our knowledge and cultural awareness of the Eritrean community
• Proactively source and arrange meetings with different Eritrean community groups to:

1. Help link these organisations with Crisis so that information can be shared about the realities of homelessness in London and the work of Crisis Skylight
2. Gain valuable knowledge about cultural sensitivities so that we can improve staff awareness and better support people from the Eritrean community

Who we are looking for

To be successful in this role we’re looking for someone who:

• Is fluent in English and Tigrinya and/or Amharic and can translate and interpret between them
• Is knowledgeable about the culture and practices in the countries where Tigrinya/ Amharic are spoken
• Has the confidence and motivation to source opportunities to link with Eritrean organisations and community groups and represent Crisis independently
• Has excellent communication skills and is confident networking and talking to new people
• Has good IT skills with the ability to use email and the internet proficiently
• Is organised and reliable, non-judgemental, patient and friendly
• Is passionate about ending and preventing homelessness for people from the Eritrean community
• Understands the importance of adhering to policies and processes, including confidentiality, safeguarding, data protection and professional boundaries
• Is able to commit to the role for 6 months

What you will gain

Engaging your community with a cause you are passionate about is an incredibly rewarding experience. It is a good way to affect change at a local level, improve services and inspire others to consider how they too can take action to end homelessness.

• This is a new volunteering role, which you have the unique opportunity to help develop
• Opportunities to learn about the causes and effects of homelessness and how to engage others in the conversation
• Networking experience for a national organisation including public speaking and relationship management
• The opportunity to share your existing or develop new skills in a friendly and supportive environment
• Regular meetings to discuss how your volunteering is going and what other opportunities and training may be available to you
• Being part of a wide network of staff, volunteers and supporters all working together to end homelessness
• A reference for volunteering at a national organisation

Additional information

• Following a successful interview and references, completion of essential e-learning and training is required before starting the role
• A Crisis IT account will be issued for the role and must be used for all communications and record keeping connected with the role
• Out of pocket travel expenses and meal allowance will be reimbursed in line with our expenses policy
• We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and particularly welcome Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, LGBTQ+, disabled and male applicants as well as those with lived experience of homelessness as these are currently under-represented groups in our volunteer pool

Applicants will be contacted w/c 30th June 2025.