Mental health volunteer roles

Are looking to give back to the local community? By joining our team of befrienders, you will support us to reach some of the most isolated adults in the community to reduce their feelings of loneliness, build friendships and provide support for mental wellbeing. You will support to relight a spark in a hobby, interest or encourage individuals to explore and participate in new social activities.

What you will be doing

• Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
• To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
• 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

The skills you need

• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries
• To be consistent in attendance

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

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

A Community Advocacy Volunteer can support people in Herefordshire  who are vulnerable in a variety of ways. Community Volunteer Advocates help them to make a complaint about a service or situation they are unhappy with, such as a housing or a benefits issue. This service helps people live independently by helping them deal with issues with utility providers or setting up a bank account or assisting them to access services that support with financial matters. 

We are looking for people who are or have:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Empathetic
• You will have, or be willing to learn, basic computer literacy skills in order to log your contact / work on our database system.
• Comfortable completing forms and applications
• Organised 

Benefits of volunteering with the Advocacy Services

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

Overview of Onside

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

The Centre Manager needs some admin support on a Friday morning. Tasks include

Answering the phones

Taking a register

Communicating with schools, volunteers, staff and clients

Other administrative activities

Childline is a vital service available 365 days a year to support children and young people, whatever their worry or concern. Childline Nottingham currently have vacancies for Volunteer Counsellors.

If you are interested in volunteering for Childline in Nottingham and want to find out more about the roles available, the next step is to attend a Volunteer Information Meeting, which is a fantastic opportunity to:

• Meet with staff as well as volunteers to ask any questions you may have
• Learn more about the application process and your volunteer journey

Our meetings are designed to help you decide whether you want to apply – there's no obligation or expectation that you'll apply if you attend one. At the meeting, you'll also receive information on other ways you can become a supporter of the NSPCC.

To book a place at one of our online Volunteer Information Meetings, please click 'Join Us' to register your interest.

Please note: You need to be at least 16 years old to apply for this role

Are you looking to give back to the local community? By joining our team of befrienders, you will support us to reach some of the most isolated adults in the community to reduce their feelings of loneliness, build friendships and provide support for mental wellbeing. You will support to relight a spark in a hobby, interest or encourage individuals to explore and participate in new social activities.

What you will be doing

• Agree a mutual time and frequency to meet
• To develop and promote a positive relationship with your befriendee
• To encourage your befriendee to engage in social activities and support them in doing so whilst building their confidence
• 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

The skills you need

• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere which motivates and inspires others
• Willingness to engage in activities in the community
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and follow professional boundaries
• To be consistent in attendance

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

Volunteer Role: Dementia Support Group and/or Activity Sessions

We were set up to transform the former Edward Hain hospital, in St Ives, Cornwall, into a community centre for health and wellbeing. The hospital was founded in 1920, with funds from the Cornish Hain Steamship Company. When it closed n 2021, our community, led by the hospital’s League of Friends, came together to save the building for the town. Now it brings together much needed health and wellbeing services, along with social, community and welfare support, all under one roof. About the role Can you commit between 2 and 4 hours a week to help those suffering from Dementia? We are looking for volunteers to spend a short time each week working with our Community Hub Officer (CHO) to create a welcoming and supportive environment for our Dementia Support Group (Forget-Me-Not Café) and help to provide specially designed crafts activity sessions such as leaf printing, making seasonal decorations etc. All our visitors are accompanied by their carers and as a volunteer you will receive specific awareness training to give you the confidence to provide conversation and a smile for those with dementia at the Edward Hain Centre.

What’s involved?

Our dementia activities and group sessions are attended by all kinds of people experiencing dementia. We work with specific care homes whose elderly residents are brought along by their carers and we run a Forget-Me-Not Café, set up for individual carers or relatives to bring along those they care for with dementia.

Specific tasks include:

• Greet attendees warmly as they arrive.

• Support the CHO with setup and organisation.

• Prepare and serve teas and coffees.

• Welcome session attendees, ensuring they feel comfortable.

• Help attendees take part in table activities (if they want to). The role will suit you if you:

• Have a friendly and approachable personality.

• Are reliable and willing to support others.

• Have good communication and enjoy being part of a team.

• Enthusiasm for creating a positive community space.

Why Volunteer with Us?

• Make a meaningful impact in your community.

• Meet new people and build connections with others.

• Gain experience in group facilitation and support and working with the elderly.

• Be part of the Edward Hain Centre Team!

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING FOR THIS ROLE PLEASE CONTACT OUR COMMUNITY HUB OFFICER CLAIRE JEFFERIES: 

The Charity for Action on Spiritual Abuse (formerly Replenished Life) is on a bold mission — and we need passionate, committed individuals to join us at a pivotal moment in our journey. 

Our Vision 

We believe in a world where everyone who has experienced harm in a spiritual, religious, or faith-based context is: 

• Heard and understood 

• Properly supported 

We are working towards a world where every faith and secular organisation: 

• Knows how to recognise and respond to spiritual abuse 

• Understands what a healthy religious or spiritual culture looks like 

Why Now? 

Thanks to a major Comic Relief Organisational Growth Fund grant, we are scaling up in big ways — expanding our support services, training programs, and research initiatives. With this growth comes an exciting opportunity: 
We’re recruiting 3 new trustees to join our dynamic and forward-thinking board. 

Who We're Looking For 

We are especially keen to hear from people with skills and experience in any of the following areas: 

• Financial planning and oversight 

• Strategic thinking and organisational development 

• Safeguarding and complaints handling 

• Policy, process, and quality assurance 

Whether you're already a trustee or exploring this role for the first time, if you believe in safer spiritual spaces and have time to give (around 1–2 days per month), we want to hear from you. 

We are committed to building a diverse trustee board that reflects the communities we serve, and we warmly welcome applicants from all backgrounds, faiths, and none. 

Why Become a Trustee? 

Being a trustee is more than governance — it’s purposeful leadership. It means: 

• Playing a vital role in a growing, impactful charity 

• Using your skills for social good 

• Collaborating with passionate, kind, and committed people 

• Gaining new experience and strategic insight (great for your career or personal growth!) 

• Helping shape national conversations around spiritual abuse, faith, and safeguarding 

We’ll support you every step of the way with training, resources, and a friendly, engaged trustee and leadership team. 

Time Commitment 

• Quarterly online board meetings (weekday evenings) 

• One in-person strategy day per year 

• Occasional reviews or input between meetings 

• Ongoing contribution to your portfolio area — within your flexible 1–2 days/month 

Practical Bits 

• This is a volunteer role (reasonable out-of-pocket expenses reimbursed) 

• Supportive induction and ongoing trustee development provided 

Ready to Make a Difference? 

To express your interest, contact Ruth Appleton through charity job message 

Download the full Trustee Recruitment Pack

Want a chat? Ruth is happy to talk more about the role before you apply. 

Connection Support has a range of services providing support to people at risk of homelessness or on the edge of needing social care. We work with people made vulnerable through debt, mental health issues, substance misuse, learning disability, and physical disabilities.

Volunteers play a key role in the provision of vital services to our clients.

Are you a reliable handyperson who can undertake, upkeep, and repair a range of tasks for our housing support clients?

• Do you have 1-2 hours a week to make basic home improvements to client’s accommodation?
• Are you a dab hand at DIY and want to put your handyperson skills to good use?
• Do you have an interest in motivating people to make positive changes in their lives through acquiring new skills?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then we would love to hear from you!

Key responsibilities

Your role will include carrying out basic household repairs and alterations such as:

• Gardening work
• Flat pack furniture assembly
• Putting up curtain rails/blinds
• Hanging pictures and shelves

Skills required

No volunteering experience is required however the below skills are essential:

• Practical skills in DIY and/or gardening
• Good listening and communication skills
• Excellent people skills to enable you to work with a range of individuals with complex backgrounds

• Reliable and trustworthy
• Respect confidentiality
• Ability to build effective working relationships with clients in a non-patronising way

Are you a qualified Yoga Instructor who would enjoy facilitating weekly sessions to help individuals with their general well-being. This is an opportunity for you to share techniques with others.

Practicing yoga has been shown to increase mindfulness not just in class session, but in other areas of a person's life.

What you will be doing

• Design session plans enabling all group members to increase fitness, suppleness and help them relax
• Teach the group yoga postures and breathing techniques which allow a range of mixed ages and abilities to participate
• Inspire and motivate people to attend and get involved in the group activities where possible and encourage the group to help design future sessions
• Keep a record of attendees, provide feedback and report any concerns to the staff team

The skills you need

• Skilled and qualified Yoga Instructor
• Good communication skills
• Ability to provide a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that encourages learning and participation

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 - 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.

Do you have a passion for knitting and would like to share your skills with others? We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Knitting Volunteer to facilitate a Knitting group in one of our Domestic Abuse refuges. Knitting is good way to relieve stress, increase confidence and create a sense of purpose.

What you will be doing

• Supporting others to improve their knitting and crochet skills and adhere to all abilities
• Facilitate a fun and enjoyable interactive group
• Maintain strict confidentiality and good working relationships

The skills you need

• Good interpersonal & communication skills to give instructions clearly to service user
• Kind and patient nature
• Interest and experience in knitting and Crochet
• Helpful and motivating attitude with a supportive 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

Join the Fight for Change – Help Us Build Stronger, More Inclusive Communities

WBC Cares UK is dedicated to transforming lives through the power of boxing. We use sport to empower young people, support those with disabilities or mental health challenges, and uplift individuals facing poverty, homelessness, and social exclusion. From community-based gyms to school outreach, mentoring, and essential aid, our mission is rooted in compassion, inclusion, and resilience.

We’re looking for a passionate and proactive Volunteer Administrator to help amplify our impact. In this role, you'll be instrumental in supporting the team in organising our programmes, delivering hope, empowerment, and practical help to communities across the UK.

Your Role:

• Respond to emails and help manage correspondence
• Maintain up-to-date records, including donations and contact lists
• Schedule meetings, prepare agendas, and take minutes
• Help format and file documents and reports
• Support our team with day-to-day admin that underpins our outreach

What We’re Looking For:

• Strong organisation and attention to detail
• Friendly and respectful communication style
• Competence with basic IT (email, Google Docs, spreadsheets)
• 5+ hours per week (some on-site in Brighton preferred; flexible)

What You’ll Gain:

• Contribute directly to improving lives in your local community
• Develop admin and charity operations experience
• Work alongside a warm, values-led team
• Make a real difference in a supportive, flexible role

Join the Fight for Change – Help Us Build Stronger, More Inclusive Communities

WBC Cares UK is dedicated to transforming lives through the power of boxing. We use sport to empower young people, support those with disabilities or mental health challenges, and uplift individuals facing poverty, homelessness, and social exclusion. From community-based gyms to school outreach, mentoring, and essential aid, our mission is rooted in compassion, inclusion, and resilience.

We’re looking for a passionate and proactive Volunteer Marketing Lead to help amplify our impact. In this role, you'll be instrumental in supporting the team in organising our programmes, delivering hope, empowerment, and practical help to communities across the UK.

Your Role:

• Enliven our brand
• Identify new segements we can serve
• Increase our reach within the community
• Communicate our message and services
• Help us reach more people able to benefit from our services
• Support our team with day-to-day communication and promotional needs
• Manage all aspects of our brand and programme promotion

What We’re Looking For:

• Marketing and marketing communication background
• Strong organisation and attention to detail
• Self-driven 
• Friendly and respectful communication style
• Competence in IT
• 4-10 hours per week, flexible

What You’ll Gain:

• Contribute directly to improving lives in your local community
• Develop marketing and marketing comms skills
• Work alongside a warm, values-led team
• Make a real difference in a supportive, flexible role

Please note: this role covers areas in Herefordshire only. 

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

Benefits of volunteering with Advocacy Services

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

Overview of Onside

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

Are you a friendly, patient, and supportive individual who loves to connect with people?

As a Club Support Assistant, you will be on the front lines, directly engaging with our club members during sessions. You'll play a vital role in creating a warm, inclusive, and fun atmosphere, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and encouraged to participate.

Key Responsibilities:

• Welcoming and Engaging: Greet club members as they arrive, help them settle in, and ensure they feel comfortable and included.
• Encouragement and Support: Provide positive encouragement and support to members as they choose songs, take turns singing, and interact with each other.
• Facilitating Participation: Assist members with selecting songs, navigating the karaoke equipment (with guidance), and gently encouraging participation in singing and social activities.
• Creating a Positive Atmosphere: Help maintain an energetic, respectful, supportive environment where friendships can grow.
• General Assistance: Support the Music Leader and Singing Tutor with practical tasks during sessions, such as setting up/packing away equipment, managing song queues, and ensuring smooth transitions.
• Safeguarding: Be aware of and adhere to the club's safeguarding policies and procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.

We're Looking For Someone Who Is:

• Naturally compassionate, patient, and empathetic.
• Friendly, approachable, and a good listener.
• Enthusiastic about music and community.
• Reliable and punctual.
• Comfortable interacting with adults with learning difficulties (previous experience is a bonus, but a willingness to learn and adapt is key).
• Able to work effectively as part of a team.
• Committed to promoting an inclusive and respectful environment.

Time Commitment: Approximately 1-2 hours per week (during club sessions), plus occasional brief pre- or post-session discussions.

DBS checks will be required.