Learning volunteer roles in north west london, greater london

Background

Our Time Charity is a unique and pioneering organization dedicated to supporting children and young people who have parents with mental illness. Our mission is to ensure that these young individuals do not feel isolated, misunderstood, or overlooked, and to provide them with the tools and resources they need to thrive. We achieve this through innovative programmes, education, and advocacy, making a tangible difference in their lives.

Established in 2012, Our Time has grown from a small initiative into a nationally recognized charity. Our founders, driven by personal experiences and a profound understanding of the challenges faced by children of parents with mental illness, have created a compassionate and impactful charity. Over the years, we have developed a range of innovative interventions and expanded our reach, positively improving the lives of thousands of young people across the UK.

We are proud to be partnering with Save the Children to deliver a new 6-month programme of KidsTime Workshops in Tower Hamlets, focused on mothers with mental health challenges and their young children (aged 2–6). These twice-monthly, multi-family workshops offer a safe, supportive space for connection, creativity, and healing. 

The Role

We are seeking a Volunteer Practitioner to join a small, committed team in delivering these community-based workshops. This role is ideal for someone with some experience in perinatal or family mental health or play therapy. This role is suited to someone pursuing training in psychology and early years development. You will be expected to bring warmth, professionalism, and a belief in the strength and potential of families to cope with the challenges of parenting with a mental illness.  You will play a vital part in creating a space that builds relationships, fosters resilience, and nurtures the emotional bond between mothers and their young children.

Benefits
This volunteer placement will offer valuable clinical experience in understanding and supporting mothers who have mental illness and children aged between 2 and 6 years.  You will be involved in the design and implementation of this family mental health intervention. Depending on the interest and experience of the volunteer, the role will include supporting the running of creative activities with the children's group and providing support where needed to the Mental Health Workshop Lead.

Volunteer Responsibilities

● To attend all 12 groups over a 6 month period, plus meetings with the Our Time Charity team throughout the project.

● Co-facilitate workshops, alongside 2 lead practitioners, for mothers and their children aged 2–6, ensuring a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging atmosphere.

● Support families using a non-clinical, relational approach that values lived experience, emotional safety, and mutual respect.

● Promote attachment, attunement, and resilience within the parent-child relationship.

● Participate in team meetings and supervision (held virtually).

● Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of workshops and share learning with the wider project team.

● Ensure all safeguarding, data protection, and equality practices are embedded in your work.

● To complete online Safeguarding Children Level 2 training organised  by Our Time and report any safeguarding concerns that arise during  workshops immediately to the Safeguarding Lead.

● To complete an enhanced DBS form which can be organised by Our  Time.

● To read and abide by all Our Time policies and procedures.

Essential Requirements

● Experience in facilitating or supporting therapeutic practice/interventions/settings. 

● Experience in using creative tools and activities with young children and therefore ability to contribute to the design and implementation of such activities in this group.

● Confidence in supporting group sessions in a warm, collaborative way.

● Clear, compassionate communicator with excellent organisational and time management skills.

● Committed to working flexibly and non-hierarchically, building relationships based on empathy and mutual trust.

● Familiar with safeguarding, data protection, and equality, diversity and inclusion best practices.

Desirable Requirements

● Understanding of parent-child relationships, particularly attachment and attunement in early childhood.

● Experience supporting families where mental illness is a factor, ideally in early years or perinatal settings

● Understanding of the challenges children face when a parent has a mental illness.

About CARAS:

Community Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers (CARAS) is a registered charity that has been supporting refugees and asylum-seekers since 2002 empowering them to integrate and engage in the local community. 

Arriving as an asylum seeker/refugee can be a disempowering experience. Difficulties with language, accessing services and overcoming prejudice are ever-present. As an organisation we are committed to work alongside refugees to overcome those challenges, and to help them build their lives. 

We offer group support and targeted support work. We offer a range of activities including: ESOL classes; social and recreational activities such as youth club, drama, trips, and family activities; educational support for young people; and casework and advocacy support. 

Our values are at the centre of all our work: 

• Kindness: CARAS will nurture all who are part of our community, helping everyone to develop their skills, talents, and interests. 

• Justice: CARAS will strive for social justice following a rights-based approach in all our work and challenging instances when rights are not upheld in wider society. 

• Empowerment: CARAS works alongside people, recognising and respecting their skills and strengths and striving together for better outcomes. 

• ‘With’ not ‘for’: CARAS will put the voices, opinions, experiences and needs of its beneficiaries at the heart of all that we do. 

About the CARAS ESOL Team:

Our award-winning ESOL project offers English language classes to adults at a wide range of levels. This provides vital skills, opportunities and social contact and is crucial for enabling people to attend college and access other services in the future.

About the Role:

CARAS is looking for volunteer ESOL Teaching Assistants to support our face-to-face adult ESOL classes in Tooting. Volunteers in this role are required to commit to at least one 2-hour session every Wednesday during these times: 

• Mondays ESOL 9:30 to 13:30

• Tuesday 9:30 to 11:30

• Tuesday One-to-one employability and language learning support 15:00 to 17:00 

Please note that ESOL classes do not run during school holidays, and we follow Wandsworth Council term dates.

Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:

• Providing learners with one-to-one or small group support within ESOL classes; 

• Helping to set up the classroom and provide learners with classroom resources;

• Attending and contributing to volunteer debriefs after each session; 

• Making use of any community languages you may know to help students during the class; 

• Working collaboratively as a team and helping to shape the project; 

• Supporting people to develop their knowledge and skills, encouraging and inspiring participants to reach their full potential; 

• Assisting participants to recognise and celebrate their achievements; 

• Following CARAS’ confidentiality, safeguarding, health & safety, equal opportunities, data management and all other policies as relevant.  

Requirements: 

Essential: 

• To be 18 years or older; 

• Able to travel to our community centre in Tooting (travel expenses can be reimbursed); 

• An interest in education and English language teaching; 

• To be non-judgemental and able to engage with people from diverse backgrounds; 

• To be reliable and punctual; 

• Excellent communication skills, especially with people who are new to English; 

• The ability to volunteer on Mondays or Wednesdays during Wandsworth term time for a minimum of three months; 

• Currently resident in the UK; has asylum-seeker or refugee status 

• *Able to provide five years’ worth of addresses, and willing to undergo a DBS check; 

• Able to attend volunteer induction training (online) prior to start of role. 

 *DBS and proof of residency is not necessary if you are a CARAS community member who is more recently arrived in the UK. 

Desirable: 

• Knowledge of community languages, such as Arabic, Tigrinya, Amharic, Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Kurdish, Somali or Spanish. 

Through volunteering with us you will: 

• Gain experience of English language teaching; 

• Meet new members of your local community; 

• Learn about different cultures; 

• Learn about issues relating to refugees and people seeking asylum; 

• Work as part of a friendly, welcoming team; 

• Develop your skills and competencies; 

• Be able to obtain a reference from us relating to your placement after 3 months of regular volunteering; 

• Be able to access relevant training, including safeguarding training. 

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Unfortunately cats can occasionally stray or get lost, which can be extremely distressing for their owners. Our lost and found volunteers are passionate about reuniting lost cats and bringing families back together. They help cats and their owners by advertising lost cats and providing support, advice and guidance to people searching for their cats.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

A bit more information about this role and the team

• Going out to scan cats; own transport is needed

• Delivering donated food to stray cats being fed by households, if required

• Providing a quarterly update report to the local volunteer committee

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Responding to enquiries from the public about lost and found cats
• Keeping up to date records of lost and founds cats
• Matching cats that are reported lost with those reported found
• Advertising lost and found cats
• Providing help and information to owners about their lost cats

Time expectation 

Our lost and found volunteers usually spend between 2 to 3 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Do you enjoy walking, meeting others and having a good chat? If so, we have the perfect volunteering role for you?

Facilitating a weekly walking group, you will contribute to a timetable to support people to reduce isolation, improve their physical activity, self-care and create a community for them to come together to build connections and friendships.

Join our team and inspire others to exercise through a weekly walk. You will create an opportunity for people to support each other, provide that additional boost to exercise and go for a walk even when they may not be feeling the motivation. 

What you will be doing

• Coordinate and facilitate weekly walks in local parks to the service alongside other volunteers
• Meet with the walking group weekly
• Hold conversations with people attending the group, checking in on their wellbeing and providing a listening ear/friendly face
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback, and report any concerns to the staff team
• Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere that encourages participation

The skills you need

• Inspire and motivate people to attend the walking group
• Ability to identify, manage any possible risks that may arise during the walking group. Training will be provided
• Willing and able to go on a weekly walk lasting approximately 60-90 minutes
• Good communication skills
• Calm and patient 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

A rare and exciting opportunity has arisen to become a Trustee at The Goldfinch Trust, a newly-forming Multi-Academy Trust in South London with a distinctive and vital mission: to deliver exceptional education for some of the country’s most vulnerable and medically complex children and young people.

Initially comprising two sites and formally launching in September 2025, new Trustees are sought to help ensure strong and robust governance structures, helping to shape future growth and planning. The Trust will have an annual budget of £3m, expected to rise with expansion of the organisation.

About The Goldfinch Trust

The Goldfinch Trust is a new Multi-Academy Trust with a distinctive and vital mission: to deliver exceptional education for some of the country’s most vulnerable and medically complex children and young people. The Trust will formally launch in September 2025, initially comprising two highly specialist settings: Maudsley & Bethlem Hospital School (MBHS) and St Peter’s Centre, with strong collaboration already in place with a third school, Kings College Hospital School (KCHS), which is expected to join formally in due course.

MBHS supports children aged 4–19, predominantly of secondary age, many of whom are hospital in-patients receiving treatment for severe psychiatric conditions. The school’s model is designed for short- to medium-term placements, with a key goal of reintegration into mainstream or alternative education once pupils are well enough to transition. The school currently supports up to 64 pupils, with a truly national intake reflecting the specialist nature of its provision.

St Peter’s Centre provides a more community-based education offer, supporting around 32 pupils with complex social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs, including autism, anxiety, depression, and school-based trauma. The school supports KS1–4, although current placements are all in the secondary phase. A flexible, part-time attendance model allows the centre to double its reach and offer individualised support.

Kings College Hospital School (KCHS), working under a service-level agreement with MBHS, delivers bedside and on-site education for children with serious medical needs, including cancer and other life-limiting conditions. While not yet a formal Trust member, KCHS is fully aligned with the Trust’s mission and is expected to transfer formally following due diligence.

The Trust’s strategic direction is rooted in partnership with the NHS and regional local authorities, offering a model of educational support that could influence national best practice. The Trust will also relocate MBHS into a purpose-built setting at the hospital’s new development in 2026, offering state-of-the-art facilities designed in collaboration with school leaders. While future expansion is not mapped, the Trust has hosted visits from other hospital and special schools exploring academisation, and organic growth is a realistic possibility over the next few years. A formal growth strategy is yet to be defined, providing incoming Trustees with a unique opportunity to shape the Trust’s long-term development.

The new Board of Trustees will replace the current interim shadow board and will initially comprise seven non-executive directors, with scope to grow to 11 as needed. Local governance arrangements will remain in place at the school level, helping to ensure that Trustee responsibilities are strategically focused.

The Trust will open with an annual income of approximately £3 million, rising with expansion, and enters its incorporation phase with comfortable reserves and prudent financial oversight. The CEO-designate (currently Headteacher at MBHS) is a respected leader in the sector, advising the DfE on hospital school operations and funding, and will work closely with the new board to shape the Trust’s systems, culture, and impact.

The Trust’s Requirements

The Goldfinch Trust seeks dedicated and skilled Trustees to form its inaugural Board. This is a rare opportunity to help establish a new Trust from the ground up – setting its vision, guiding strategy, and developing systems to support the education of children and young people with serious medical and mental health conditions. While the Board will be supported by a team with expertise in finance, law, and HR, the Trust is particularly keen to hear from candidates with executive leadership experience in areas such as education, healthcare commissioning or procurement, charity governance, or growing organisations. Skills and backgrounds of interest include: strategic leadership in education, strategic growth, Healthcare commissioning or procurement, Safeguarding, SEND, Estates management/Health & Safety, Digital strategy Finance, and Audit.

Trustees will play a vital role in supporting and challenging the executive leadership team, ensuring high-quality provision and the effective use of public funds. A deep commitment to the Trust’s mission, supporting some of the country’s most vulnerable learners, is essential.

The full Trust Board will meet once per term (three times a year). In addition, Trustees will join one of two committees: Finance or Education Provision, which will also meet termly (three times a year).

There are plans for an annual strategy conference, likely to run over an extended half-day or full day. Meetings are expected to be scheduled in the early evening (5:pm–6.30pm starts) and last up to two hours. The precise meeting calendar is yet to be confirmed, but Trustees should expect a blend of face-to-face, online, and hybrid meetings. Some physical attendance will be required, so candidates should live within a reasonable commute of Beckenham (BR3 3BX) or Camberwell (SE5 8AB).

Trustees will be supported by a professional governance team, including external consultants currently advising on the Trust’s establishment. This is a unique opportunity to shape a new Trust that will provide life-changing support for young people with critical medical and psychiatric needs. By joining The Goldfinch Trust’s founding board, Trustees will not only help to define the strategic vision of the Trust, but also contribute to a pioneering model of integrated education and healthcare that could influence policy and practice across the country.

Latin American House (LAH) is an organisation led by and for Latin Americans in the UK. Our work is dedicated to supporting the needs of the Latin American community in London and beyond, particularly those most disadvantaged or at risk, for example, those enduring living and working conditions in low-paid jobs, facing barriers to social protection, elderly and those without skills or knowledge of social support systems in the UK. The individuals and families using our services benefit from efficient and practical support, learn new skills and improve their opportunities. We strive to provide essential tools to Latin Americans to empower themselves in their pursuit of personal and social change.

As a Community Centre Receptionist Volunteer, you'll be the friendly face welcoming visitors, answering inquiries, and ensuring the smooth operation of our front desk. Your role is pivotal in creating a warm, inclusive environment for all who visit.

This is an opportunity to become Chair of a Charity which has recently celebrated its 10th anniversary. If you are someone who is looking to make a “real difference” for mothers/birthing people and their families facing one of the most challenging and unexpected periods of their lives, then we would like to hear from you.  We are also looking for a Chair who can lead and “harness” the range of skills present within our existing Board members, who come with a range of experience.

Now into our second decade as a charity, it is exciting time to join Mummy’s Star as the Chairperson. We have broadened the conversation about cancer and pregnancy nationwide, and internationally too despite our small stature. We now must sustain what we have built and help take the charity to that next level where we can elevate the voices of those we support, so that their needs are not only understood, but are also prioritised and used to inform policy and planning.

As a Parent support group volunteer at our monthly get together on a Wednesday morning , you’ll support parents of deafblind children of all ages in a group setting. A friendly face at the group, you’ll welcome and talk to people to help them feel comfortable, encourage conversation and make sure they’re offered refreshments. You’ll also help set up and tidy away at the end of the group.

There is also an opportunity to work with our Schools Liaison Officer to help contact and organise external speakers to attend the group.

It’s a fantastic opportunity for you to meet new friends, learn new skills, have fun and make a difference supporting your community.

Your involvement in this role will ensure parents of deafblind children are able to meet others in a similar situation, access the support and information they need and enjoy meaningful activities. You’ll be great for the role if:

You have good verbal communication and listening skills

You enjoy meeting new people and being part of a team

You are aware of or are willing to learn about deafblindness

You can demonstrate empathy and compassion

You are over the age of 18

Are you passionate about helping women build their lives beyond crisis? We are recruiting for volunteers to support victims of Domestic Abuse on a 1 to 1 basis. This is a chance to empower other inspirational women by building their confidence and teaching them new life skills in order to achieve their ambitions and goals. You will be supporting women and children to rebuild their lives free from fear!

What you will be doing

• To develop and promote a positive relationship with the service user through regular meetings
• To encourage service users to engage in social activities and supporting them in doing so
• To support your befriendee in developing their goals and social skills
• Encourage your befriendee to make links with community services, based on their identified goals
• To support and help the service user to get familiar with their new environment/area/community and show them where the local shops, GP, etc are located
• To plan activities with your befriendee, such as a walk, visiting museums
• Manage appropriate boundaries

The skills you need

• Have good listening and communication skills
• Be non-judgmental and motivational in approach
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow operating guidelines
• To be consistent and dependable when working with a service user
• Lived in experience and ability to speak another language such as Hindu, Urdu, Farsi, etc would be desirable but not required

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, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Fundraising team leader volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

 As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers

· planning fundraising events and activities with your team

· allocating tasks before and during fundraising events

· keeping financial records from fundraising events

· encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 

· following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Fundraising team leader volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers

· planning fundraising events and activities with your team

· allocating tasks before and during fundraising events

· keeping financial records from fundraising events

· encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 

· following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Fundraising team leader volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

You can expect us to

• make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

· supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers

· planning fundraising events and activities with your team

· allocating tasks before and during fundraising events

· keeping financial records from fundraising events

· encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection 

· following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

Could You Help a Young Refugee Find Their Path?

Are you passionate about supporting young refugees and asylum seekers as they begin their journey into the UK workforce? Become a Volunteer Mentor with Breadwinners!

What Does a Volunteer Mentor Do?

As a volunteer mentor, you'll be paired with a young person in one of our two core programmes:

• Risers Programme (2 months): For young asylum seekers aged 16-24 who are awaiting refugee status.
• Breadwinners Programme (6 months): For refugees with the right to work in the UK, helping them gain vital skills and experience.

Most mentors will work with our Risers, as this program is more fast-paced, but opportunities exist to mentor our Breadwinners too.

Your role? Help your mentee gain hands-on work experience at one of our weekend market stalls and lead weekly 1:1 mentoring sessions. These sessions are designed to develop employability skills, explore future goals, and foster social connections. Many of our mentors build lasting relationships with their mentees even after the program ends.

Time Commitment:

• Market Shifts: 2 hours per weekend (Saturday or Sunday).
• 1:1 Mentoring: 1 hour per week, in person or online, to support career development.
• Ongoing Support: Stay in touch via text or calls during the week to help with logistics and provide encouragement.

What Our Graduates Say:

“Having a mentor helped me feel more confident. I could ask questions, felt motivated, and learned new things. It was nice to have conversations about my future and how to succeed.”
— Sura, Risers Graduate

Who Are We Looking For?

You don’t need special qualifications to be a mentor—just a good understanding of working in the UK, strong communication skills, and a passion for helping young people succeed. If you’re ready to make a real difference and become part of a fun, supportive community, this role is for you!

Feeling Inspired?
Apply today and join us in helping young refugees build brighter futures!

We recruit every January, April, July, October. 

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

A bit more information about this role and the team

We are specifically looking for indoor - single room fosterers.

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for! 

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.