Manager volunteer volunteer roles in Whitechapel, greater london
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This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteering Coordinator – Build Our Family of Volunteers at SUNSHINE
Loneliness is one of the fastest-growing epidemics of our time. Across London, thousands of people feel isolated, disconnected, and unseen. At SUNSHINE, we believe no one should feel alone. Our mission is to bring sunshine into people’s lives through grassroots, community-led programmes that spark joy, foster friendships, and transform lives.
We are seeking a Volunteering Coordinator to lead the set-up and development of our volunteering programme, ensuring we have a pool of talented, skilled, and passionate volunteers driving SUNSHINE forward with huge team spirit and a family feel.
Why This Role Matters
Volunteers are the heartbeat of SUNSHINE. They bring our mission to life, create spaces of joy, and ensure no one feels alone. As Volunteering Coordinator, you will design and grow a programme that attracts, nurtures, and retains incredible people who want to make a difference. Your leadership will ensure every volunteer feels valued, heard, and part of the SUNSHINE family.
What You’ll Do
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Lead programme development: Build and shape SUNSHINE’s volunteering programme from the ground up.
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Recruit and onboard: Attract skilled, passionate volunteers and ensure they feel welcomed and supported.
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Retain and empower: Create a culture where volunteers feel valued, engaged, and motivated to stay.
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Champion team spirit: Foster a family-like environment where everyone contributes to shared success.
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Drive impact: Align volunteer efforts with SUNSHINE’s mission to tackle loneliness and spread joy across London.
Who We’re Looking For
We welcome applications from people who believe in community, joy, and togetherness. Ideally, you will bring:
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Experience in volunteer management, recruitment, or programme development (desirable but not essential).
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Organisational skills to manage people and processes effectively.
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Leadership qualities to inspire and motivate volunteers with warmth and clarity.
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A passion for people, inclusivity, and building strong communities.
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Creativity, energy, and resilience to grow SUNSHINE’s volunteer family.
Join Us
At SUNSHINE, the Volunteering Coordinator is more than a coordinator — they are the architect of our volunteer community, the champion of team spirit, and the guardian of belonging. Together, we can make SUNSHINE one of the best charities to volunteer with in London.
Step forward. Shine bright. Build our family of volunteers. Because when you lead our programme, you’re not just managing people — you’re creating a movement of joy, connection, and impact.
SUNSHINE
Loneliness Charity in London
SUNSHINE is London based dedicated to bringing people together, fostering connections, enhancing wellbeing and transforming lives.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Regional Officers oversee chapters within a certain region. They provide support and guidance to the Presidents (and the rest of committee if needed) including advice and signposting as needed. They can also provide hands on support if requested. They should encourage chapters to collaborate including the sharing of resources, socials, fundraisers, training and events.
* To bring children's dreams to life * To provide a professional service * To bring fun to both children and volunteers



Chair of the Board of Trustees recruitment
Age UK Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham and Havering (RBH)
Age UK RBH is seeking an outstanding leader to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees, guiding our charity through its next phase of growth, resilience, and impact for older people across our three boroughs.
About Us
Age UK RBH is a trusted local charity supporting older people across Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham, and Havering. We deliver vital services that promote independence, wellbeing, and dignity—from advice and information to social activities, home support, and specialist care. With a strong reputation for quality and compassion, we are proud to be a lifeline for older residents and their families.
The Role
As Chair, you will:
· Provide strategic leadership to the Board of Trustees, ensuring effective governance and accountability.
· Champion our mission and values, safeguarding the charity’s commitment to inclusion, equity, and measurable impact.
· Support and challenge the Chief Executive and senior team, acting as a critical friend and strategic partner.
· Represent Age UK RBH externally, building partnerships with funders, local authorities, and community organisations.
· Ensure the charity remains financially sustainable and operationally strong, delivering excellence for older people.
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking a visionary leader with:
· Experience of chairing boards or holding senior governance roles.
· Strong understanding of charity governance, financial stewardship, and risk management.
· Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to inspire confidence across diverse stakeholders.
· Commitment to equity, inclusion and diversity.
· Passion for improving the lives of older people and strengthening communities.
What We Offer
· The opportunity to shape the future of a respected local charity.
· A collaborative, committed Board and senior team.
· The chance to make a tangible difference to thousands of older people across East London.
Time Commitment
This is a voluntary role, with reasonable expenses reimbursed. The Chair is expected to commit around 2–3 days per month, including Board meetings, sub-committees, and external representation. There are six Board of Trustees Meetings usually on a Friday afternoon and additional training days as required.
How to Apply
If you believe you can bring strategic vision, governance expertise, and a deep commitment to older people, we would love to hear from you.
Please send your CV and a short supporting statement (no longer than 2 pages) outlining your interest and suitability to
Closing date: 31st January 2026
Interviews: week beginning 9th February
For more information please email:
Alima Qureshi, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Andreea Albu, Chief Executive
Age UK Redbridge, Barking and Havering
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
RSPCA North West London and South Hertfordshire Branch
Our RSPCA charity shop in Ruislip is looking for friendly volunteers to join the team.
About Our Shop
RSPCA, 66 High Street, Ruislip, HA4 7AA
The shop is part of the RSPCA North West London & South Hertfordshire Branch. It plays an essential role in raising the profile of the RSPCA in our local community, as well as raising much needed funds for our branch so that we can continue our vital animal welfare work.
About the RSPCA
Founded in 1824, we have been saving animals for almost 200 years and are proud to be the oldest welfare charity around. It’s always been our vision to live in a world where all animals are respected and treated with compassion, so our volunteers and employees work tirelessly to ensure that all animals can live free from pain and suffering.
About the Role
As a volunteer Charity Shop Assistant, you would join a small team of other volunteers helping to make the shop a success and raise vital funds for animal welfare.
Our volunteers assist us in many ways, such as accepting and sorting items donated by the public, preparing items ready for sale, processing sales through the till, assisting customers with queries, and helping to merchandise the shop floor.
Who are we looking for?
We’re currently looking for people aged 18 or over who are friendly, team players, are comfortable communicating with colleagues, customers and donors, and who can make a regular commitment of at least one 3-hour per shift per week for a minimum of six months. Retail experience is not essential.
In return, we can offer the chance to develop or learn new skills, a way to meet new people in your local area, and the satisfaction of making a huge difference to the lives of animals in your local community!
If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!
We hope you are interested in volunteering for the RSPCA North West London and South Hertfordshire Branch.
Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need
Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Summary
The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces at our sites across Hertfordshire and Bucks including
Brindle Court, Watford
Northgate End, Bishop's Stortford
Our smaller sites in Stevenage, Hoddesdon and Hemel Hempstead
Crest Rd, High Wycombe
Detailed description
Having access to a secure garden or outdoor area can be crucial for providing opportunities to socialise and relax, which can be invaluable for the mental well-being of our residents.
The gardening and growing volunteer will support our accommodation sites in maintaining their outdoor spaces, including:
·Weeding
·Sweeping
·Pruning
·Clearing leaves and large twigs
·Watering plants
·Planting bulbs and tidying up flower beds
We would love for this to be an opportunity to involve our residents and potentially lead a gardening activity with them, equipping them with knowledge and skills to maintain their own green spaces in the future.
You will need:
- Enjoy working outside in all weathers.
- An interest/basic knowledge of gardening
- Role requires some degree of physical work and lifting/manual handling
- To work under your own initiative.
- Good communication skills
- Opportunity to meet new people and learn new skills
A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided as well as access to training and events throughout the year!
Some sites have basic tools however any additional tools and material required can be discussed with your volunteer manager .
What volunteers need:
You will be required to under go a Disclosure and Barring Service check and provide details of 2 x referees
What we will provide to volunteers:
- Reimbursement of costs
- Full training and induction
- Access to events and celebrations throughout the year
One YMCA's mission is to create supportive and energizing communities where young people can belong, contribute, and thrive.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Fundraising Volunteer
Thank you for your interest to become a Fundraising Volunteer at Cats Protection!
Our vision is a society where every cat has their best possible life because they are protected, cared for and understood by everyone.
We are a movement of people championing the welfare of cats. We lead society in a richer understanding of all cats and care for those that need our help.
Our Purpose is to to help people see the world through cats’ eyes
Our brand new Community Fundraising Hub is here to support you in this role, so there's never been a better time to get involved!
A bit about this role:
As a charity we can help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations from our supporters. Raising funds is a key role in our charity, helping to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need.
As a fundraising volunteer, we will support you every step of the way to ensure your time at Cats Protection is a positive and rewarding one. Whatever time you can give really does make a big difference We have lots of exciting activities to choose from for example attending a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, handling administrative tasks, or contributing to the development of new fundraising ideas. Whatever your skill set, this role could be perfect for you!
What can you expect to be doing?
As a flexible role, you have the choice to be involved in the following:
- face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping with fundraising events, attending supermarket collections and monitoring collection boxes.
- online fundraising – assisting with online appeals, increasing social media engagement to maximise funds raised.
- bringing new ideas! We always love to come up with new ideas to raise funds for cats and we’d love to help bring yours to life.
- engaging with your local branch and Fundraising Hub and feeling like an integral part of the team.
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:
- Sympathetic to cats and our values
- Happy to be part of a team of dedicated volunteers and employees.
- Flexible and adaptable to different events/activities
- Open to new ideas and ways of fundraising
Time expectation
This role is very flexible, often certain times of the year are busier than others. You can choose your level of involvement to suit your schedule.
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 well being 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.
Applicants will be required to complete an application for and provide two references.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Are you a fundraising professional looking to use your skills to make a positive impact? The Lymphoedema Support Network (LSN) is seeking a volunteer Trustee with expertise to help us raise the funds to ensure we can continue supporting the nearly 500,000 people (including children) in the UK affected by lymphoedema.
The LSN plays a crucial role in educating individuals, society and health care professionals about lymphoedema and the impact it has on every aspect of life and enabling those living with the condition and those facilitating their care to work together to ensure everyone can control and live well with lymphoedema.
Though lymphoedema isn’t widely understood or provided for in the NHS yet, we are here to support those who need us. While it’s a chronic condition, we believe that with the right care and support, lives can be greatly improved.
We are at an exciting time in our journey and would love to welcome a new trustee to help us fund the many opportunities ahead.
As a Trustee, you will help ensure our financial sustainability, and support us in making strategic decisions. You don’t need personal experience with lymphoedema—your expertise and commitment to helping others are what matters most.
Action for Refugees in Lewisham (AFRIL) is a dynamic local charity established in 2006. We support asylum seekers, refugees, and vulnerable migrants, to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community. We provide both crisis support to meet immediate need, and longer-term, flexible programmes to tackle the underlying problems that lead people to be in crisis.
We are a team of 15 majority part-time paid staff (9 FTE) and over 100 volunteers. AFRIL works with residents in Lewisham, Greenwich, Southwark, Bexley and Bromley. In the last 12 months AFRIL has supported over 750 individuals.
AFRIL’s Casework and Advocacy Team provides complex casework and legal interventions in the areas of housing and homelessness, Asylum Support, Benefits, No Recourse to Public Funds and Community Care. AFRIL also offers community activities to the residents of a local Asylum Support Hotel. Activities are arranged in situ at the hotel, as well through trips and outings.
Your duties will include:
Community Activities Volunteer
● Arrive promptly to support AFRIL staff to set up the Community Activitysession which, depending on the day, could include:
○ Arts & craft activities
○ ESOL / english conversation practice
○ It is also possible you will support a group on an outing to amuseum, to AFRIL’s Allotment of Refuge or to another location.
● As a volunteer, your role during these activities will involve supporting the staff to deliver the relevant activities, and will specifically include:
○ Engage all participants in a warm and friendly manner, making all feel welcome and involved
○ Support new participants to complete the registration forms, and log attendances on the register
○ Putting out resources, materials, games and actively support participation in such activities
○ Arranging and distributing food and drink to members
○ Helping the group to navigate safely if out on trips
Outreach Volunteer
● Arrive promptly at 12.15pm to support AFRIL staff to set up the Outreach Advice session.
○ Welcome clients to the drop in, provide an overview of how AFRIL can support, record basic information to pass onto AFRIL caseworkers
○ Oversee a queue system of those seeking advice from Caseworkers
○ Provide clients with refreshments, build rapport and field basic questions about the outreach session whilst clients are waiting
Duties for both roles also include:
● Undertake comprehensive training (including safeguarding training) to support you in carrying out your volunteer role.
● Uphold AFRIL’s values when working alongside staff, volunteers and clients, and follow AFRIL’s policies and procedures at all times.
● Be vigilant of any safeguarding concerns and report these swiftly to AFRIL staff.
AFRIL’s Community Activities & Outreach Volunteer will have the opportunity to volunteer at AFRIL’s Community Activity sessions (weekly) and Outreach Advice sessions (fortnightly). The volunteers will provide friendly and professional support to participants, collect basic information and support AFRIL staff where appropriate.
Our volunteers are crucial in supporting AFRIL staff to obtain the best outcomes for our clients, and this role will provide you with valuable insight into the immigration system and its many challenges.
Please submit the application form alongside your CV. Please cite the position in the title of the email.
We support asylum seekers, refugees and vulnerable migrants to lift themselves out of poverty and rebuild their lives in the heart of our community.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Volunteer Admin Support Volunteer Wanted
Unlock YOUR Potential – Empowering Adults Across the UK
Do you believe that every great movement is built on strong foundations?
Do you want to be the steady hand that ensures our programmes run smoothly, our volunteers feel supported, and our mission reaches those who need it most?
At Unlock YOUR Potential, we are creating a movement of dignity, opportunity, and transformation. We are seeking Volunteer Admin Support, dedicated organisers who will keep our charity’s heartbeat steady, ensuring that every workshop, mentoring session, and wellbeing programme flows with clarity and impact.
Your Role
As Admin Support, you will:
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Provide essential administrative assistance to keep programmes and volunteers organised.
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Manage communications, scheduling, and record-keeping with precision and warmth.
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Support the smooth delivery of workshops, mentoring, and wellbeing sessions.
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Be the backbone of our charity—ensuring that vision becomes reality through structure and care.
Why Join Us?
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Impact lives: Behind every success story is someone who kept the wheels turning.
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Grow together: Administration is the art of enabling transformation.
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Belong: Join a warm, empowering community of volunteers across the UK.
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Legacy: Help build a charity that restores hope, resilience, and opportunity.
Step forward. Become Admin Support. Together, we will unlock potential, restore dignity, and create opportunity across the UK.
Apply today and join us in shaping lives, futures, and communities.
Unlock YOUR Potential
- BREAKING BARRIERS
- UNLOCKING POTENTIAL
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
This organisation is using Anonymous Recruitment to reduce bias in the first stages of the hiring process. Submit your application as normal and our system will anonymise it for you. Your personal information will be hidden until the recruiter contacts you.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Role:
The Social Supermarket Initiative (SSI) is a community-led social enterprise tackling food insecurity and promoting sustainable community growth through our affordable supermarket model, outreach programmes, and ethical partnerships. We are seeking Supporting Directors to join our Board, contributing strategic insight, expertise, and oversight to strengthen SSI’s governance, operations, and long-term impact.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic guidance and oversight to ensure SSI delivers on its community mission and legal obligations.
- Support the Board in policy-setting, financial accountability, and risk management.
- Contribute specialist expertise (e.g. governance, finance, partnerships, community development, food systems).
- Champion SSI’s values and act as an ambassador, building relationships with partners, funders, and local organisations.
- Monitor progress against strategic goals and ensure decisions align with SSI’s community purpose.
Core Duties:
- Ensure SSI acts within its powers and upholds its community interest objectives.
- Exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence in all Board matters.
- Safeguard SSI’s financial integrity, sustainability, and compliance with relevant regulations.
- Provide advice and constructive challenge without engaging in daily operations.
- Join working groups or committees (e.g. finance, growth, governance) where relevant to your expertise.
Expectations of the Role:
- Attend and prepare for quarterly Board meetings and one annual review.
- Stay informed about emerging issues in food justice, sustainability, and community wellbeing.
- Participate in subcommittees or project groups as appropriate.
- Maintain confidentiality, uphold SSI’s ethical standards, and champion diversity and inclusion.
About You
Essential:
- Commitment to SSI’s mission and social purpose.
- Strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills.
- Experience in governance, management, or community initiatives (professional or voluntary).
- Sound judgement, integrity, and a solutions-driven mindset.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of social enterprise, food systems, sustainability, or community engagement.
- Understanding of governance, finance, or charity operations.
- Lived experience of food insecurity, social inequality, or community leadership.
What We Offer:
- Opportunity to contribute to a purpose-driven social enterprise with measurable community impact.
- Experience in board-level leadership, governance, and strategy.
- Networking opportunities through community events and partnerships.
- Reimbursement of reasonable travel and meeting expenses.
- Training and development opportunities in governance and management.
How to Apply:
Please send your CV (max 2 pages) and a short statement (max 300 words) outlining your interest and relevant experience.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Position Overview
An exciting and unique internship opportunity to work closely with key senior operational staff in a respected UK international development charity; this position has strong vocational content for anyone looking to break into the international development sector with future possibilities of progression into roles within the UK and/or Madagascar.
The post holder will gain hands-on experience in international development, gain understanding and skills across a wide range of duties associated with programmes development, corporate fundraising, volunteer coordination, and practical charity management.
The internship spans a minimum of six months and is a remote role. The diversity of activities that will be undertaken provides training for an early-career development professional who can effectively and efficiently deal with a comprehensive range of tasks related to the complex world of overseas development work.
Location: Remote
Commitment: Part-time, two days a week for a minimum of six months - with full flexibility to choose which two days you work, and the option to adjust or change those days as needed.
Salary: N/A (voluntary)
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Join our amazing team and make a real difference to people living with sight loss. Help create a welcoming and safe environment for people to share their experiences, ask questions and support each other and connect with a local community in a group setting via Facebook.
In this role you will be:
• Creating a warm and welcoming environment – Welcoming new members to the group and encouraging participation.
• Supporting group conversations – Instigating dialogue based on eye health related days/events or more interest-based topics.
• Working with a Volunteer Moderator and engagement Team to create engaging content for the Group.
What you’ll gain from the role:
• A chance to build a strong community; by engaging with the people with sight loss and local and national organisations.
• A chance to be part of a team of like-minded people, sharing information and working as a team to create and share content.
• An opportunity to develop and explore different roles with RNIB, including our internal job vacancies.
In return for donating your time we will provide:
• A great Induction and training.
• A supportive manager.
• Regular updates and catchups, both with your manager and your fellow moderators and engagement volunteers.
• An opportunity to connect with other volunteers through regular moderator meetings.
How often will I be needed?
- 5 Hours per Week
Key requirements
- This role requires 1 reference
Location
Region
- North East, West Midlands, South West, Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber, Greater London, South East, Northern Ireland, Scotland, East Midlands, North West
Home based
- This role is home based
Who this opportunity will suit
Minimum age
- You must be at least 18 years old to apply
What skills and experience are needed?
- An understanding and interest in maximising the benefits of social media platforms. A willingness to learn about local services and activities to inform the community as appropriate. Interested in helping people get the information they need. Good communication skills.
Bring your senior-level expertise to a committed and forward-thinking Board.
Unlock has achieved a great deal for the people we support, thanks to the talents and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and trustees. By listening to and working alongside people who face difficulties because of their criminal records, we have built a strong track record of identifying problems, developing solutions, and turning those solutions into real change. We also influence national policy and drive systemic reform.
We are now seeking a new Chair of Trustees to join our engaged and committed board.
About the role
Trustees play a crucial part in shaping Unlock’s leadership, strategic direction, and governance. As Chair, you will work in partnership with the Chief Executive to provide clear and inclusive leadership, ensuring that the board operates effectively and that the organisation remains focused on its charitable purpose. You will help the board set strategy, scrutinise performance, uphold good governance, and support the CEO and senior team to deliver Unlock’s mission.
About you
We would love to hear from you if you can bring the following attitudes and skills:
· Experience as a trustee and of working with or managing senior leaders.
· A willingness to offer advice to staff when needed, and to get involved practically where appropriate.
· A strong commitment to Unlock’s vision, values, and mission.
· Experience in the charity sector is helpful but not essential. If you have the right leadership qualities and a passion for our work, we will provide support to help you step confidently into the role. So if you’re new to the voluntary sector, please don’t let that discourage you from applying.
· We are committed to increasing diversity across Unlock, including within our board. We particularly welcome applications from people who have themselves faced and overcome the disadvantages associated with a criminal record.
If you’re energised by the prospect of helping to lead a small criminal justice charity with an impressive national impact, we would be delighted to hear from you.
To help people overcome the long-term disadvantages caused by their criminal records, and work with government, employers and others to enable people


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Are you a dog lover? Do you have the time to help raise a life-changing puppy? Would you like to make a difference to someone's life? If you've answered yes to these questions, then this role could be perfect for you!
As a Puppy Raiser, you'll provide a 6-8 week-old puppy with the vital foundation for its future role as a guide dog. You'll be looking after a puppy for 12-16 months and will guide him or her through training, socialisation, the introduction of new environments and experiences while providing a loving home.
There might be the odd chewed slipper along the way, but nothing beats the rewarding feeling of loving and raising a puppy who will go on to make an enormous difference to someone living with sight loss.
What you'll be doing:
- Engaging with our world-class training programme to prepare your puppy for the next stages of becoming a guide dog.
- Providing care and support for your puppy at home e.g., loving, grooming and feeding him or her.
- Socialising your puppy and introducing him or her to a variety of environments to increase confidence – this can be as simple as taking your puppy with you to the shops, office or park as you go about your everyday life.
- Teaching your puppy to be comfortable alone - gradually building up from a few minutes to a maximum of four hours.
- Taking your puppy to monthly puppy classes, and interacting with other puppy raisers in your community whilst refreshing your training and sharing tips.
- Meeting with your volunteer manager as frequently as needed to discuss any changes or issues with your puppy.
- Completing short questionnaires about your puppy’s development.
You'll ideally have:
- A loving home with enough time to invest in raising a puppy and attending to their needs (e.g. toilet training). If you work from home or have hobbies, you'll need to be available to give the puppy regular attention alongside these.
- Someone at home who is physically able to handle large breed dogs (around 25-40kg).
- Access to a car, so that you can get your puppy used to travelling.
- The agreement of your landlord to have a dog in the property if you rent your home.
- A safe secure area outside for your puppy to go to the toilet.
What you'll get:
- The satisfaction of knowing you're supporting people with sight loss to live actively, independently, and well.
- The rewarding feeling of watching a mischievous puppy learn new training techniques to help them develop into a guide dog.
- The opportunity to participate in our bespoke world-class training programme – this can help you train your own dogs or advance a future career in dog handling.
- The opportunity to have a loveable, canine companion, proven to reduce feelings of stress and improve fitness – you’ll be out walking rain or shine!
- The chance to be part of the inspirational Guide Dogs community, meeting like-minded people and interacting with a community of puppy raisers in your area.
- A dedicated volunteer manager and fellow peers who will help support you throughout your role.
s a volunteer you'll have access to our world-class training programme, to implement with your puppy in training, a great bonus for any dog owner! This is delivered in an interactive and engaging manner, using a mixture of different learning techniques virtually e.g., videos, documents and e-learning modules. Examples of the modules you'll have access to include:
- Food manners
- Greeting new visitors
- Being home alone
- Settling in new environments
You'll receive plenty of support from your volunteer manager who will help you work through these training modules with your puppy. We also offer puppy classes for puppy raisers in the local area to get together, share stories and provide refreshers on training techniques.
Volunteering for Guide Dogs should never leave you out of pocket. We’ll make sure we pay any pre-agreed expenses related to volunteering with us, including veterinary costs, food costs for the puppy and other materials needed for the puppy’s training. We will also pay an optional allowance of up to £100 a year to offset additional costs, and we have working agreements with certain bus and train operating companies, letting you take your puppy on short training journeys free of charge.
Minimum age of applicant: 18.
To find out if this role is available in your area, please click 'Redirect to recruiter' at the top of the page, and use the postcode search function on the Guide Dogs website to explore local opportunities.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Richmond Carers Centre, a network partner of Carers Trust, is a registered charity providing information, support, advice and a voice for carers living and caring in London Borough of Richmond upon Thames.
Helping Carers to Live Well is our organisational aim. We are looking for someone with the skills and ability to offer a coordinated approach in supporting unpaid and family adult carers in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Carers provide vital support and can come from all walks of life and be of any age.
As a Volunteer Counsellor, you will be part of a small dedicated team and directly deliver our counselling service to adult carers. You will provide regular counselling sessions for carers each week. These will either be face-to-face at our centre or can be via a remote offer using either a video platform such as MS Teams or by telephone. The counselling service is part of a range of services offered to support carers with their emotional wellbeing. This work helps to enhance carers’ health and wellbeing. It also provides carers with a much needed break from their caring responsibilities, in a safe environment where they can focus on their wellbeing.
With your proven experience of working with carers or other vulnerable groups on an individual and/or group basis, you’ll recognise the importance of being client focused and have a commitment to enhance the lives of carers. You will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of carer’s needs and a wide range of skills in relation to working with individuals and groups.
You will be self-motivated and positive in your approach to working with both carers and staff and have a willingness to embrace our organisational values. Strong administrative, time management, IT and organisational skills are essential.
Benefits of volunteering for Richmond Carers Centre:
- Clinical supervision every fortnight
- Flexible working with counselling either offered face-to-face or remotely
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Training and personal development opportunities
- Access to shared resources and training opportunities
- Supportive and friendly working environment
- Staff and volunteer socials
Please use the application form only. CVs will not be accepted
Provisional interview date – February 2026 (dates to be confirmed)
We are reviewing applications on a rolling basis and may appoint before the advert closes. Early applications are encouraged.
If you would like to discuss the role in more detail, please call us and ask to speak to Sophie Richardson, Operations Manager or Ellie Wright, Interim Adult Carers Support Team Leader.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
