Volunteer roles

The UK Men’s Sheds Association is seeking a small number of new trustees, based anywhere in the UK. The role is voluntary (reasonable expenses are covered) but is an opportunity to be part of an engaged, effective and friendly Board of an important national charity.

While the roles are primarily as general trustees, there will also be opportunities to serve on one of our two formal sub-committees – Audit & Risk and People. We are also recruiting for a trustee to act as our Treasurer (a role-specific advert is on our website). 

The UKMSA Board fulfils a governance function, ensuring we use our resources responsibly, and that we comply with our legal and regulatory obligations. As a trustee, you will play a key role in ensuring UKMSA’s sustainability and effectiveness, overseeing our strategy and governance, including ensuring we continue to operate to the public benefit. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to use their professional and personal expertise to make a meaningful difference to communities across the UK.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, and you do not need previous charity Board experience.

We regularly review the collective skills and experience of the Board members, and use this to inform recruitment. In particular, we are looking this time around for applicants who can bring significant charity or broader financial experience (not only for the Treasurer role but also to support our Audit & Risk function); experience of national or significant fundraising; and a background in HR or ‘people skills’. These are, however, not prescriptive and we welcome applications from anyone who feels they may have something to offer a medium-sized national charity which has significant impact which belies its size.

Our recruitment is also informed by our policies, especially our EDI and volunteering policies. While the Men’s Sheds movement itself has an understandable male focus, we are keen to maintain a truly diverse Board, both in terms of the protected characteristics under the Equalities Act and in terms of the diversity of experience and background our trustees bring. It is not a UKMSA policy per se, but we aim to maintain a balance of trustees who come from the Shedding movement alongside those who bring external perspectives. Trustees may be based in any part of the UK (we aim to have at least one trustee who is based in every one of the UK home nations). 

We ask that all trustees explicitly sign up to their responsibilities, both statutory and regulatory, with a commitment to good governance and ethical leadership. We also expect a willingness to work collaboratively as part of a diverse and supportive Board, and as a constructive critical friend with the CEO and staff senior leadership team.

Ygam is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to empowering children and young people to lead safer digital lives, with a particular focus on preventing gaming and gambling harms

As part of our commitment to reaching underserved and underrepresented communities, we are expanding our Community & Faith Leaders Advisory Panel and are looking for individuals working or volunteering within community and faith settings who can bring valuable insight, lived experience, and community knowledge to help guide our work.

The panel allows Ygam to:

·Draw on the panels expertise and understanding of local communities, faith perspectives, and young people’s experiences

·Refine our training and resources for families and professionals to make our education more accessible, relevant, and culturally informed 

·Ensure our work reflects the realities young people face, both online and offline

Looking forwards, the panel will play an increasingly important role in Ygams work, supporting the research and insight programme to better understand how different communities experience gambling harms with an initial focus on exploring this through the lens of intersectionality.

Remuneration: £40.00 per hour
Contract Type: 12 months

Please see the applicant pack for further information on how to apply.

Have you been Bereaved by Suicide for 2 years or longer? Do you have a desire to help other people who have also been Bereaved by Suicide? Are you comfortable listening to the experiences of others? You could be just the person we are looking for.

We have self-help support groups across the UK, where you can meet with other people who have been bereaved by suicide and we want to enrol some new volunteers to join our Alnwick Support group. The group meet once a month and last for around 2 hours. They provide an opportunity to listen, to share, to ask questions and to connect with others.

Each local SoBS group is run by a team of 3, all of whom have been bereaved by suicide themselves. Between them, they facilitate the session, get the conversation started, make sure everyone has the opportunity to talk if they want to, and generally look out for people and each other. The team also work together to manage the administration, fundraising and communication for the group, sometimes with the help of additional support volunteers.

There is no set structure to a session – people are free to talk and listen as they wish. The topics discussed vary from month to month but often includes people sharing their story, how they are feeling, what has happened since their last group visit. 

We are looking for an enthusiastic Kitchen Assistant to join the team in our exciting new community space! Plateful Cafe is a recently established charity that seeks to help refugees in the surrounding area into employment within the food and hospitality sector. We are opening a community cafe selling delicious Middle Eastern food such as hummus, falafels, salads, okra stew and much more! Our cafe will be staffed by people with refugee status and experiences of forced migration who are being trained to work in the food industry, as well as dedicated volunteers like you. If you are passionate about being part of a community that celebrates a diversity of cultures and delicious food, this is your opportunity to make a difference and join us on our exciting journey with Plateful Cafe.

Community Café Volunteers

The Bridge Community Hut, N15 6SE

Love cooking? Enjoy meeting people?

Join our friendly community café team!

We are looking for enthusiastic and reliable volunteers to help create a welcoming space where local residents can enjoy good food and great company.

�� Open 3 days per week (including Saturdays), 10:00am – 4:00pm

What you’ll do

• Help prepare simple, nutritious meals
• Serve food and drinks with a smile
• Keep the kitchen and café clean and organised

 What we’re looking for

• Friendly, positive, and team-oriented
• Interest in cooking or community work
• Willingness to learn (no experience needed!)

 What you’ll gain

• Valuable café and teamwork experience
• New skills (with training available)
• A pathway into employment
• Meet new people and be part of your community 

How to apply 

To apply, please email or post your CV

"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. We are particularly looking for volunteers who can support learners on site at Westminster Adult Education Services based atLisson Grove NW8 8LW, New City College Tower Hamlets E14 0BX and Morley College Stockwell SW4 6RA. 

The timings are flexible - ALT match you to a learner based on your respective availability. Typically, most ALT sessions take place sometime between 10am-5pm, 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.

Are you looking to get involved in the local community or perhaps have an interest in mental health? Volunteering in our mental health services is a rewarding and varied opportunity for someone who is interested in working in this field. You will support by offering a listening ear and will offer individuals tailored mental health support, alongside our team of trained workers. We are looking for a volunteer to facilitate a Men’s group. The group provides a safe, welcoming place for people to meet, share experiences and support each other’s growth. We’d love to find a resident in Haringey, but this is not essential for the role.

What you will be doing

• Facilitate discussions
• Create a supportive environment for men to connect, share experiences, and empower each other
• Prepare hot drinks and snacks
• To negotiate/facilitate conflicts or disagreements that may arise during group meetings.

The skills you need

• Ability to create and maintain a safe environment where participants’ thoughts and feelings are valued, and group members are treated with fairness, equity and respect
• Experience of facilitating groups.
• Strong listening and communication skills

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun.

We’re looking for a warm, British Sign Language Volunteer to provide in house support to Deaf women living in our refuge. This role is all about connection, inclusion and helping women feel fully involved in day to day life within the service.

As a BSL Volunteer, you’ll support communication between service users and staff, help women engage in activities, and be a friendly, reassuring presence in the house.

What you will be doing

• Providing British Sign Language support to Deaf service users within the refuge
• Supporting women to take part in activities
• Helping women communicate their needs to staff
• Offering support with appointments, as and when needed

The skills you need

• Fluent or confident British Sign Language users
• Friendly, patient, and inclusive, with a genuine interest in supporting women
• Able to communicate professionally and sensitively within a refuge setting

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

A

s a Meet and Greet Volunteer, you'll help create a warm, welcoming environment for people using our services. Offer a friendly chat, a listening ear, and support to help people feel valued, connected, and less alone. If you're empathetic and approachable, we'd love to hear from you.

What you will be doing

Greeting visitors, providing a safe and friendly environment, and “checking in and chatting” with service users.

Offering beverages to our visitors while maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen and service areas.

Provide emotional support, active listening, and mental health assistance to individuals in distress.

Ensure the environment is safe, maintain accurate records and adhere to safeguarding, food hygiene and GDPR

The skills you need

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, a non-judgmental attitude, and the ability to listen.

Able to create a welcoming and inclusive setting that encourages involvement and openness.

Approachable, respectful, and supportive with the ability to remain calm in interactions while demonstrating an empathetic and person-centred approach.

What's in it for you

Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications

Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!

Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

As a Meet and Greet Volunteer, you'll help create a warm, welcoming environment for people using our services. Offer a friendly chat, a listening ear, and support to help people feel valued, connected, and less alone. If you're empathetic and approachable, we'd love to hear from you.

What you will be doing

Greeting visitors, providing a safe and friendly environment, and “checking in and chatting” with service users.

Offering beverages to our visitors while maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen and service areas.

Provide emotional support, active listening, and mental health assistance to individuals in distress.

Ensure the environment is safe, maintain accurate records and adhere to safeguarding, food hygiene and GDPR

The skills you need

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, a non-judgmental attitude, and the ability to listen.

Able to create a welcoming and inclusive setting that encourages involvement and openness.

Approachable, respectful, and supportive with the ability to remain calm in interactions while demonstrating an empathetic and person-centred approach.

What's in it for you

Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications

Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!

Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

About Healthwatch Barnet

Healthwatch Barnet is the local independent champion for people who use health and social care services. We exist to find out what matters to people and to help make sure their views shape the services they use.

Role:

Are you keen to give something back to the community and make a real difference to local people? Are you looking to develop new skills and close any gaps in your CV, or to build on existing experience and knowledge?

By volunteering with us, you could:

• Help ensure that people using services are listened to, involved, and empowered to influence local services
• Make a positive difference within your community
• Feel valued as part of a team
• Meet new people and make new friends
• Build your health and social care skills and knowledge
• Gain valuable experience within the non-profit sector
• Improve your health, well-being and quality of life

Role Description: 

We regularly run stalls at local events in Barnet. We are seeking volunteers who are passionate about tackling health inequalities, to support our team with delivering events and recording people’s feedback. Our events take place in a wide range of settings, including food banks, community centres and with faith groups. Our volunteers help to document resident feedback, and this directly supports our work to change and improve health and social care in Barnet.

Key tasks:

• Assisting with setting up information stalls at local events 
• Supporting event attendees to complete surveys, gathering their feedback
• Encouraging residents to use Healthwatch Barnet’s service as their independent health and social care champion 
• Attending training and volunteer meetings as needed 

In addition to the roles set out above, from time to time we recruit volunteers to support specific projects. Project groups are led by a member of the Healthwatch Barnet staff team. They are time-limited and come to an end when a piece of work is completed.

Note: All events take place in Barnet, during the weekday, between 9-5.

Role Summary

Working alongside fellow volunteers and staff, you will help keep our gardens and outdoor spaces attractive, safe and well maintained. Our gardens provide a place for reflection, comfort and enjoyment, making your contribution an important part of the experience we offer.

Gardening volunteer opportunities are currently available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. We offer a flexible approach to volunteering, and the time commitment is largely at the volunteer's discretion. Whether you can give a few hours occasionally or volunteer more regularly, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Main duties of this role may include any of the following: 

• Helping to keep gardens and outdoor areas tidy, welcoming and well cared for.
• Weeding, planting, digging, edging, pruning and sweeping pathways as required.
• Assisting with the care and maintenance of flower beds and planted areas.
• Watering pots, containers and garden areas when needed.
• Supporting the upkeep of composting areas.
• Mowing lawns and helping maintain grassy areas.
• Reporting any larger gardening or maintenance requirements to your line manager, such as hedge cutting or tree work.
• Informing your line manager if tools require replacement, repair or sharpening.
• Helping to keep the gardening shed and storage areas organised and tidy.

Experience & qualifications required

· Volunteers will be expected to work independently and should be comfortable undertaking gardening duties with minimal supervision.

· This role does not provide hands-on gardening instruction or training so previous gardening experience is preferred.

About us:

H4All is working to advance the health and wellbeing of residents in the London Borough of Hillingdon.

This is done through our Community Champions programme, which is an initiative made up of organisations and local volunteers who promote positive wellbeing messaging and share healthcare information.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for committed volunteers who are interested in public health and meeting people in the community. As a Community Champion, you’ll be conducting community outreach, making new connections and supporting us with Community Health projects.

This is a meaningful opportunity to reduce health and social inequalities in the borough of Hillingdon, while gaining practical experience and benefiting from free training.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with the public as part of community outreach efforts, including attending events and speaking with residents about health programs and activities. This role will take place at different locations and venues across the London Borough of Hillingdon.
• Support the community by providing information on health services, resources and support networks.
• Complete a monthly log detailing any health outreach undertaken.
• Assist in survey data collection.

Benefits for you:

• Free, specialised training and mentoring provided, enhancing personal and professional skills.
• Hands-on experience in health outreach and community engagement.
• Networking opportunities with healthcare professionals, community organisations and other volunteers.
• A chance to demonstrate your commitment to community health.

Training and support given:

Mandatory training:

• Online Safeguarding and Suicide Prevention courses
• Current healthcare messaging
• NHS blood pressure testing

Throughout your time volunteering with us, there will be additional online and in-person training that will be offered (depending on interest and projects we are running).

Expenses:

We can provide expenses for travel and parking at events or training.

Skills and attributes required:

• Strong desire to make a difference in the London Borough of Hillingdon and improve the local community’s health.
• Confidence in speaking with the public and engaging with diverse communities.
• Respectful of confidentiality and procedures.
• Empathetic and understanding of others’ cultures, beliefs and backgrounds.

Desirable:

• Ability to speak a community language [e.g. Somali, Punjabi, Polish, Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, Mandarin, Spanish] would be beneficial.
• Previous experience in community health or outreach would be beneficial.

Commitment required:

• Full induction and Mandatory online courses, as well as Blood pressure checks training before starting your volunteering.
• Attend relevant training when offered.
• We ask for a commitment of 6 months due to free training and individual support/development offered to our volunteers.
• This is a flexible role, and you can select which outreach events or projects to join based on your commitments. We accept however much time you can spare.

Reporting to: Health and Wellbeing Programme Officer

Documents Required:

• In your application form, you will be asked for 2 references who have known you for at least a year. They can be from a professional, a friend, a support worker etc.

To apply for this role:

A H4ALL application form must be completed. 

Use your expertise to shape education, influence communities, and grow as a leader 

Roles available at colleges across Stockton-on-Tees

Are you a business leader or corporate professional looking to make a meaningful impact outside the boardroom? 

By becoming a volunteer governor at a further education (FE) or sixth form college, you’ll help shape the strategic direction of an organisation that transforms lives through education and skills—while strengthening your own governance experience and leadership credentials. 

Why it’s relevant to professionals like you 

Further education colleges train over 1.6 million learners annually, preparing the skilled workforce that keeps our economy moving—from engineers and IT specialists to healthcare professionals and construction experts. 

As a college governor, you’ll sit on the board of an FE institution (and registered charity), where your insight into strategy, risk, people, or finance will have a direct impact on how public funds are spent, how performance is measured, and how learners are supported to succeed. 

This is an opportunity to: 

• Apply your corporate skills in a leadership role 

• Gain board-level experience and enhance your CV 

• Contribute to local economic growth and social mobility 

• Support a vital sector during a time of transformation 

What will you be doing? 

As part of a governing board, you’ll: 

• Set strategic direction: help define the college’s mission and goals 

• Hold leadership to account: monitor finances, performance, and outcomes 

• Ensure governance excellence: make decisions in the best interests of learners and stakeholders 

• Act as a charity trustee: ensure financial sustainability and legal compliance 

You’ll also engage with senior leaders and external stakeholders, including local employers, regulators, and community partners. 

Who are we looking for? 

We welcome professionals from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to: 

• Finance, Audit & Risk 

• HR, People & Culture 

• Strategy, Transformation & Operations 

• Technology, AI & Digital 

• Legal, Governance & Compliance 

• Marketing, PR & Communications 

• Education, apprenticeships, or vocational courses 

What matters most is your strategic thinking, commercial awareness, and commitment to helping others succeed. 

Prior education experience is not required. Full induction and training are provided, with access to DfE-funded development and peer mentoring where needed. 

Time commitment 

Expect to give approximately 1–2 days per month, including: 

• Attending board and committee meetings (in person or remote) 

• Reading papers and preparing questions 

• Participating in training and occasional college visits 

The time commitment is manageable alongside a full-time role—and many employers actively support staff to take on governance roles as part of their professional development. 

Where you’ll be needed 

Some colleges offer remote governance and meetings take place online. This may suit you best, or we may suggest a role where you volunteer on a hybrid basis at a college within a reasonable distance from you. We are recruiting governors for colleges across Stockton-on-Tees, with new opportunities added regularly. 

What’s in it for you? 

This role offers the opportunity to: 

• Enhance your board-level and governance experience 

• Develop strategic oversight and leadership outside your day-to-day role 

• Expand your professional network 

• Give back in a way that creates long-term, measurable impact 

About Boards for Education 

Boards for Education is a charity that sources and supports volunteers onto governing boards. We aim to improve educational outcomes for children, young people, and adult learners by strengthening governance across the education sector. 

We offer specialist governor, chair, and trustee recruitment services as part of our mission to build exceptional boards. 

Ready to step into a strategic, purpose-driven leadership role? 

If you’re ready to bring your corporate insight to the education sector and help shape the future of skills, opportunity, and social mobility—we’d love to hear from you. 

Apply now to become a volunteer college governor.