Home volunteer volunteer roles

We have an exciting opportunity for supporters of Bath Cats & Dogs Home who may not be able to commit to a weekly volunteer slot to get involved in events throughout the year. This varied role offers you the chance to experience different volunteering positions, ranging from street collections and in-store fundraising drives to large events including the Bath Half Marathon and our annual Wag Walk. Each of these events are equally important to raising vital funds for the Home as well as raising our profile in the community.

About the Role 

Volunteering at events offers you the opportunity to meet other volunteers and learn about how you each support the Home. Events volunteering can demonstrate how Bath Cats & Dogs Home has touched so many people's lives. You will meet former residents of Bath Cats & Dogs Home at Wag Walk and hear about their adoption journey, as well hearing from runners at the Bath Half why they are fundraising for us. If you have a relaxed dog that likes meeting people, you are welcome to bring them along with you to street collections and fundraising drives as this is always a conversation starter! 

Booked events for 2025: 

• Street collections in Bath
• Fundraising drives at Pets at Home's Bath and Trowbridge stores

Most events take place during the day on weekends, with the exception of Pets at Home's Santa Paws fundraising drive, which includes some weekdays. 

About You

If you have a love for animals, are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people, this may be the volunteering role for you! You will need to be confident and have an approachable nature as you will be speaking with members of the public about the work that we do. At street collections, the Bath Half Marathon and Wag Walk, you may be required to stand for over an hour at a time, which should be considered upon application. 

All volunteers are required to complete online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Due to insurance restrictions, all volunteers must be over the age of 18. 

Befriending Volunteer

You can make a difference…Age UK Wandsworth is a small, local, independent charity that has been working with older people in the area since 1963. We rely on your support to keep serving the older residents with in the Wamdsworth community. We have a dedicated team of experienced staff and a large network of dedicated local volunteers. Our aim is to enable everyone to age well in Wandsworth. We would love your help to be able to continue to support older Wandsworth residents.

Our Be-a-Friend service is one of our longest running services, matching people over 65, who live alone and have limited social contact, with a friendly local volunteer with similar hobbies and interests. The volunteer and their new friend set up a suitable time for them to meet each week for a chat and a cup of tea, which could be during the day, in the evening on the way home from work or even on the weekends . If you would prefer to volunteer from home, you can also be matched with an older person for telephone befriending. For many of our matched pairs, this is the beginning of a firm friendship. 

Befriending Plus

Befriending Plus is an extended version of the Be-a-Friend programme, for individulas needing help with life admin and small tasks as well as companionship. For Befriending Plus pairs, time spent together can include helping to use a phone or tablet, helping the client to organise their file, going out for a coffee or popping to the post office together. This support can help older people to stay independent at home for longer, as well as increasing their confidence to do these tasks when the volunteer is not there.

Background to the role:

Keep Active is a volunteer-delivered project at The Creighton Centre, which aims to provide support to older people (60+) who have had a fall, stroke or other illness.  We work in partnership with the NHS Community Rehabilitation Service across Hammersmith & Fulham. As a Keep Active Volunteer you would visit an older person (the average age is 84) once a week for up to nine weeks to help them with improving mobility indoors with exercises, or outdoors with walks in their community. This project aims to empower people to get back to independence, access community once more and reduce risks of future falls and hospital re-admittance.

Availability/commitment:

· To live in or near Hammersmith and Fulham, or travel regularly through

· To be able to spare 1-2 hours a week, preferably during working hours

Role of the Keep Active Volunteer:

· To attend an initial one-off training session [with Volunteer Coordinator and therapists from NHS rehabilitation teams].

· To visit an older person’s home once a week for up to 9 weeks to supervise and motivate them to continue practicing their exercise and walking goals, as prescribed by NHS rehabilitation teams.

· Support might include:

- A walk around their local community possibly going to the park or visiting shops.

- Encouraging them to complete a prescribed gentle exercise program.

- Keeping an older and sometimes isolated person company.

- Visiting someone in their homes to help them reach their exercise goals.

NB: Please note that this is a volunteer role and you will not be expected to provide any physical support. This is a motivational role only.

We will provide:

· Induction training and NHS Community Rehabilitation led training (weekday training).

· Regular contact and support from the project staff.

· Occasional social events for volunteers

· Occasional training opportunities for volunteers

· A reference after 3-6 months of volunteering with us

· An enhanced DBS check

· Reimbursement of travel expenses incurred during your volunteering

Skills needed:

· Good listening and communication skills and a good level of spoken English.

· Empathy and a kind and patience approach.

· Enthusiasm and commitment.

· A friendly personality.

· The desire to make a positive difference to someone’s health and wellbeing

· Ability to cope with clients who are unwell.

· A positive attitude towards empowering and improving the lives of older people

· An understanding of and commitment to our policies (including: Confidentiality, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities)

Accountable to:

Keep Active Coordinator

Volunteer Helpline Advisor – Role Description 

Purpose of role:

As a Volunteer Helpline Advisor, responding to Helpline enquiries from parents and carers, you will be playing a part in helping ERIC to achieve its key goal of reaching even more families.

You will work remotely, with equipment and training provided.

If you are passionate about helping to improve the lives of families whose children are affected by continence issues, and can commit your time on a regular basis, we’d love to hear from you.

Terms:

Due to the nature of the work, our helpline volunteers are continence nurses or qualified healthcare professsionals.Volunteer sessions are a full day of 5 hours, on the same day each week, please note that currently we need more volunteers on Mondays & Tuesdays only. We ask volunteers to commit to this regular weekly pattern, ideally for a period of one year or more. This helps to maintain consistency and a high standard of professional practice. 

Expenses may be paid, subject to agreement in advance . 

Tasks could include:  

· Answering calls on the Helpline

· Signposting to information on our website

· Responding to & following up enquiries by email  

· Entering information onto our IT system

Skills and qualities:

· Professional qualification and/or clinical experience

· Enjoy working as part of a team

· Friendly and positive with a can-do attitude

· Well organised with good time management skills

· Empathetic and non-judgmental

· Able to use standard IT packages including Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and Outlook)

· Able to follow ERIC’s policies, including safeguarding and confidentiality 

· Willing to continuously develop professional practice.

Please note: this role covers areas in Worcestershire and Herefordshire only. 

Relevant Persons Representative (RPR) Volunteers ‘looks out’ for an older or disabled person living in a Residential and Nursing care home, making sure they are getting the right care and support and are being treated fairly. This role provides support for people with a Deprivation Of Liberty Safeguard (DOLS) in place. A DOLS is a deprivation of Liberty Safeguarding meaning the person you support is unable to leave of their own free will. A DOLS is put in place to protect individuals from harm or abuse. 

Benefits of volunteering with Advocacy Services

• Be part of a growing charity with ever expanding exciting new projects!
• You are provided with FREE training
• Reimbursed for public transport fair and/ or partial mileage costs
• Get experience in the field of mental health
• References are available from us on request
• Fulfilment in helping your local community
• Meet new and likeminded people - we hold regular volunteer catch ups to have your say and meet other volunteers
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme benefits

Overview of Onside

ONSIDE is an independent charity promoting the rights and interests of people facing disadvantage. We believe that everyone is entitled to fair, equal treatment and opportunity. Our skilled staff and volunteers make a real difference to the lives of over 11,000 people a year across Worcestershire and Herefordshire. 

Now that spring has sprung, we have an excellent seasonal opportunity for those who love the great outdoors and wish to support the animals in our care. If you love to be outside and enjoy gardening, why not consider joining our team as a Gardening Volunteer, supporting our small but mighty Grounds & Maintenance team who look after our 10 acre site. 

About the Role

Based in bucolic Claverton Down, we are lucky to have several large green spaces in which to excercise our dogs - and a brilliant cat garden for our feline friends! This takes a lot of looking after though and we are keen to hear from potential volunteers who would like to take on a specific area of our site as a project, tending to it on a weekly basis and seeing it flourish throughout the summer. There are several areas to choose from, including our Enrichment Paddock, Behaviour Cabin Garden and Pet Cemetery. There are also general gardening tasks to crack on wtih, such as sweeping the Summer House, mowing and strimming, and tackling weeds in the kennel block paddocks. 

This is a rewarding role as you will be able to see at the end of your shift the results of your hard work! You will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you have directly impacted the lives of the animals in our care by creating a safe outside space for them to enjoy off-lead play time and exploration, keeping their bodies active and their brains engaged. 

About You 

You will be a motivated and enthusiastic individual with a love for animals. This role requires elements of manual handling so you will need to be physically fit and this should be considered upon application. You will be a team player who is able to carefully follow instructions and relevant health and safety requirements for the position, for example the use of appropriate PPE. 

Full in person training will be provided by the maintenance team. Your hours will be flexible in line with current staffing levels, but during the spring and summer a weekly requirement of at least 2 hours is required, weather-dependant. 

Cats Protection is the UK’s leading feline welfare charity, and our vision is a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

Cats are at the centre of everything we do, and our objectives are homing, neutering and educating people about cats and their care.

We help thousands of cats across the UK each year thanks to our network of dedicated volunteers, employees and supporters.

A bit about this role...

Every penny counts when it comes to improving the lives of the thousands of cats and kittens across the UK that need our help each year. Our Collection Box Volunteers help us raise vital funds by collecting and distributing collection boxes in their local area. Making a difference can mean as little as raising 20p, which is enough to feed one cat in our care for a day, to £150 which is the average cost of a cat in our care.

What can I expect to be doing?

As a flexible role, you have the choice to be involved in the following:

• Researching local shops, pubs and businesses to place Collection Boxes
• Delivering Collection Boxes to locations
• Recording donations and thanking local businesses and supporters
• Collecting and replacing Collection boxes when they're full
• Sharing your passion for cat welfare and promoting the work of Cats Protection

What are the benefits to you and the cats?

You will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge though Cats Protection’s learn online system, providing you with the skills to thrive as a fundraiser. You’ll also have the chance to meet new people and be part of a dedicated team of Volunteers.
Money raised by our volunteers enables us to put cats first. Cats are at the centre of all we do. We care for them, ensure their welfare, and help others to understand and better support them.

We're looking for someone with:

• Sympathy to cats and our values
• Good communication skills
• Confidence in speaking to members of the public
• Confidence in handling money

How much time is expected of me?

Our Collection Tin Volunteer role is very flexible and can be completed at your own pace, independently with our dedicated support.

Support, guidance and keeping you safe

At Cats Protection we believe our volunteers should be happy and confident in their roles. We provide support and guidance from our National Cat Centre and through our regional and local volunteer groups and teams. We offer engaging online and face-to-face training, expenses and have policies and processes to help volunteers get the most out of their time with us.

The wellbeing of our people is important and at Cats Protection we are committed to safeguarding children, adults at risk and all those that we encounter as part of our activities.

Thank you for your support and sharing in this commitment and for everything you will do during your time with Cats Protection!

Refettorio Felix is a community kitchen with an open-door policy in the Earl's Court area. We provide a safe haven and a warm, welcoming atmosphere for those facing homelessness and financial crises.

Using surplus food ingredients, our kitchen freshly prepares a three-course lunch for up to 140 people per weekday. We are looking for friendly and dedicated volunteers to support us in our mission to provide fresh and nutritious meals to our guests.

Your support will have a meaningful impact on the quality of lives of the most vulnerable members of the community. From trained and experienced Chefs to keen home cooks, we would love to hear from you!

We have the opportunity for volunteers who have a passion for retail and animals to join the team at our brand new charity shop on George Street in the city centre. This is an exciting time for us and we are looking forward to growing a friendly team in this new retail hub for the charity. There are plenty of roles available to suit your interests and availability. 

The George Street shop is our retail hub as it is also home to our E-Commerce operation. The friendly team working at George Street are happy for potential volunteers to explore the areas that are of interest to them, so if you love researching books or obscure bands, possibly discovering that a donation could raise hundreds for us by being sold online, then perhaps you'd enjoy working within our E-Commerce team!

We are seeking more volunteers to join our bustling George Street team on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturday afternoons and would love to hear from people who are happy to be serve customers on the till.

Role Profile

Our shop volunteers play an integral role in the day-to-day running of our charity shops and the maximising of sales to support Bath Cats & Dogs Home. Whether you prefer working behind the scenes or on the shop floor in a customer facing role there are plenty of tasks to get involved with.

Your activities could include:

• Assisting and serving customers on the till
• Providing excellent customer service on the shop floor
• Creating attractive displays and assisting with the visual merchandising of the shop
• Receiving donations from the public and promoting our Gift Aid scheme
• Assisting with the processing of donated stock, including sorting, steaming and hanging of items
• Other daily tasks including cleaning, tidying, dusting and hoovering 

About You 

You will be a motivated and enthusiastic individual with a love for animals. Good communication and customer care skills are key to a successful charity shop so the ability to work as part of a team and with the general public is desirable. There is a manual handling element to the role so this should be considered on application. The hours are flexible although we ask for a regular commitment of a few hours each week.

Full in person training will be provided for donation sorting and retail guidelines, as well as our waste management and recycling processes.

Home-Start works with families in communities, supporting  thousands of families and children to transform their lives. At Home-Start Birmingham Central and South-West we're now seeking a Chairperson.

What will you be doing?

At Home-Start Birmingham Central and South-West we are seeking a Chair to contribute their expertise and experience to lead and support the effective running and governance of the Scheme.

We’re looking for a skilled volunteer who can Chair the board, as well as lead on strategic and operational advice and guidance.

As Chair, you will work with fellow trustees and the Scheme Manager, to advise on governance, have oversight of finances, risks, safeguarding, lead on the direction of the Scheme to achieve its objectives and support operational aspects.

The role will be responsible for:

· provide supervision and management of Scheme Manager and act as sounding board for staff

· lead and support the Strategic role to use local procedures appropriately

· contribute to Board discussions about the Home-Start’s capacity in working with more complex families, including those where there are child protection concerns

· support the Board to monitor and review systems, policy and procedures to ensure good practice within the Home-Start and compliance with the Home-Start Quality Assurance Standards

· Ensuring the board of trustees understands and fulfils its responsibilities

· You will also play a vital role, along with the rest of the board of trustees, in developing our overall Scheme strategy and ensuring the ongoing good governance of the Scheme.

What are we looking for?

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

· Good management experience.

· Ability to effectively and clearly communicate.

· Sound judgement and problem solving skills.

· Confidence to put forward ideas and suggestions and effectively and appropriately challenge.

What difference will you make?

Your support as Chair will assist us in being able to continue to provide vital individual, non-judgemental, compassionate and confidential volunteer-led help and support to local families in Bartley Green, Edgbaston, Harborne, Ladywood, Soho and Quinton.

What's in it for the volunteer?

You will have the opportunity to use your knowledge and expertise to influence the strategic management of the Scheme and allow the Scheme to continue to make a real difference to the lives of families and children in the local area.

You will have the opportunity to develop or enhance your strategic leadership skills by supporting in the development and implementation of the overall Scheme strategy, working alongside committed and professional fellow trustees and staff.

Our ambition is to continue to develop outstanding services that meet the needs of our community; if you want to be part of our future, we would love to meet you to discuss this further.

Becoming a trustee for Home-Start Southwark (HSS) is an exciting and fulfilling role. The role of a trustee is to ensure that HSS fulfils its duty to its beneficiaries through contributing to the strategic development, effective governance and financial management of the organisation. The board of trustees are both jointly and individually responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of HSS, its financial health, the integrity of its activities and developing the organisation’s aims, objectives and goals.

We are particularly interested in receiving applications from people with the following skillsets:

• HR
• Legal
• Finance, accountancy, bookkeeping
• Fundraising
• Media and communications

Do you have a caring nature and a desire to join a friendly team helping others? As a Volunteer Carer at Skanda Vale Hospice you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and their loved ones. 

Your role will focus on providing personalised, hands-on care with warmth and dedication. You’ll be part of a great team in a supportive and encouraging environment – we’ll provide you with the training and everything you need to thrive in this rewarding role. 

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

About Skanda Vale Hospice

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

What will I be doing?

• Providing hands-on care and support to patients in their daily living, including personal care and eating and drinking, according to their individual needs. Helping them move around the hospice and gardens, organising and assisting with recreational activities, and accompanying them on outings when needed.

• Offering emotional support and a compassionate presence; a listening ear, empathy, and understanding during difficult times. Creating a warm and nurturing environment where patients and their families feel valued, respected, and cared for.

• Working with nurses, other carers, companions, therapists, and team members to support great team spirit. Sharing relevant information and observations to support patient care planning, decision-making and record-keeping. 

How much time should I give?

Ideally, an average of one shift a month, but scheduling can be flexible, based on your availability and hospice needs. Some volunteers commit to regular shifts while others have a more variable pattern of availability.

What are the benefits of being a Volunteer Carer?

• Sense of purpose, knowing you are making a positive difference to people's lives.

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

• Working in a welcoming place with other warmhearted people.

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

• Travel expenses reimbursed.

• Free accommodation if participating in our residential volunteering program.

What do I need to have? 

• A compassionate and empathic nature, with a genuine desire to support and care for others. 

• An ability to interact sensitively and respectfully with patients and their families. 

• Basic understanding of the principles of care and hygiene. 

• Patience, resilience, and the ability to remain calm.

• Reliability with a sense of commitment to giving your best. 

• Willingness to take part in the training and orientation which we provide. 

• Ideally, some experience of caring – either at home or in a care setting. 

• Ideally, some experience of teamwork with people from various backgrounds.

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

What training and support will I be given?

Our Volunteer Carers receive comprehensive induction and training. This includes shadowing, one-to-one support, team sharing and development opportunities plus additional learning as needed. Volunteer Carers are supported by the Healthcare Support Workers’ Lead and the Lead Nurse to ensure they feel confident and capable in their role.

How do I find out more?

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

The Together Project

Established in 2018, the Together Project is a community outreach project delivered by a team of volunteer vets and non-clinical volunteers to provide non-judgmental veterinary advice, treatment and care to the pets of vulnerably housed and homeless people in Bath. Working in partnership with local homeless charities Julian House and Genesis Trust, the team understands the strong bond between an owner and a pet, and that for many, a pet can be a lifeline, so they aim to do whatever they can to keep these beloved pets together with their owners.

We are seeking kind, empathetic and understanding volunteers to join our award-winning Together Project team and would love to hear from vets and vet nurses (RVN) interested in joining the project. 

About the Role

Currently the Together Project team run two clinics per month, one at Genesis on the Canal in Widcombe on a Friday morning, and the second on a Saturday afternoon, where they take to the streets to seek out service users who may not have made it to the Friday clinic, as well as raise awareness of the project. During a clinic, the volunteers will:

• Earn trust from people in marginalised communities by demonstrating true care for their pets
• Register new service users and encourage their attendance at monthly clinics, promoting responsible pet ownership regardless of living situation
• Catch up with service users and their pets, building relationships and ensuring consistency of treatment where possible
• Provide preventative treatment such as vaccinations and parasite treatment
• Provide treatment for illness and injury, as well as emergency intervention when necessary
• Act as ambassadors for the project and Bath Cats & Dogs Home

About You

We would love to hear from vets and vet nurses who can give 2 hours per month to support the Together Project. You will need to be outgoing, approachable and have an understanding nature as trust from Together Project service users is hard-won and not guaranteed.

This is an exciting opportunity for vets and vet nurses interested in applying their knowledge and experience to an outreach programme aiming to improve the lives of marginalised people and empowering them to best care for their beloved pets. Taking your clinical knowledge out of the practice and into the community, you will be reaching out to people who love their pets wholeheartedly but may not feel able to ask for help.

We have a fantastic opportunity for you to expand and develop your retail skills within a charity environment and gain work experience, transferable to your CV. This voluntary role is a great way to meet new people, be part of a team, gain self-confidence and be a major part of helping unwanted and abandoned animals in need. You'll be working in a busy shop in the bustling independent retail hub of Frome. 

Role Profile

Our charity shop in the popular town of Frome is in need of a chatty and personable volunteer to interact with customers and manage transactions as a Retail Assistant. If you're a people person with a passion for animals, this could be the volunteer role for you. There are plenty of four-legged furry visitors to the shop so you will also get to meet lots of canine supporters of Bath Cats & Dogs Home! 

Your activities could include:

• Assisting and serving customers on the till
• Providing excellent customer service on the shop floor
• Creating attractive displays and assisting with the visual merchandising of the shop
• Receiving donations from the public and promoting our Gift Aid scheme
• Other daily tasks including cleaning, tidying, dusting and hoovering

We currently need volunteer support in the Frome shop Monday-Friday between the hours of 10am-4pm, and on weekends between 12-2pm. 

About You

You will be an enthusiastic individual with a love for animals and charity shops. You will be well presented, friendly and enjoy meeting new people. It is vital you are reliable and trustworthy and able to offer a regular set of hours each week to fit with shop needs. Previous retail experience is an advantage but is not essential. There is a manual handling element to the role so this should be considered on application.

Full in person training will be provided for donation sorting and retail guidelines, as well as our waste management and recycling processes. 

All staff and volunteers are required to complete online Health & Safety training prior to their start date. Due to insurance restrictions, we can only take on volunteers over the age of 18.