Social work volunteer volunteer roles

Trustee

Age UK Lewisham & Southwark is seeking to appoint several new trustees as part of its ongoing Board development and succession planning.

Location: Lewisham & Southwark, London (Board meetings held in Southwark)
Salary: Voluntary, unpaid (reasonable expenses reimbursed)
Hours: Approximately four Board meetings per year, one annual Board away day, participation in at least one Board sub-committee and occasional engagement between meetings.

About Age UK Lewisham & Southwark

We work to support older people and other vulnerable members of our communities, helping to reduce poverty, loneliness, exclusion and inequality, and enabling people to live with dignity, independence and connection. As demand for our services continues to evolve, we are looking for trustees who can help ensure the charity remains resilient, responsive and impactful for the people we serve.

This is an opportunity to join the Board of a well-established and respected local charity at an important stage in its development.

The Board is actively shaping the charity's future direction, strengthening governance, supporting organisational development, and helping to ensure the charity remains sustainable and effective in a changing environment. As a trustee, you will work alongside a committed Board and leadership team to improve the lives of people across Lewisham and Southwark.

About the role

We are seeking to strengthen and diversify the Board's skills, experience and perspectives through several trustee appointments.

Safeguarding is a key recruitment priority. We are keen to appoint at least one trustee with safeguarding knowledge or experience to serve as the Board's Safeguarding Lead, providing strategic oversight and assurance of safeguarding governance.

We would also particularly welcome applications from individuals with experience or expertise in the following areas:

· Health and social care, public health, NHS services or related fields.

· Fundraising, income generation and donor development.

· Legal, regulatory or governance matters.

· Property, facilities, estates or building management.

We do not expect candidates to have experience in all of these areas and welcome applications from individuals who can contribute expertise or experience in one or more of these areas.

As a place-based charity, we are particularly interested in trustees who live, work, volunteer, or have strong connections to Lewisham and Southwark and can bring local knowledge and insight to the Board.

About you

We welcome applications from people with a broad range of professional, voluntary and lived experience.

Key qualities include:

· Strategic thinking and sound judgement.

· Commitment to improving the lives of older people and other vulnerable members of our communities.

· Ability to provide constructive challenge and effective governance.

· Commitment to equality, dignity, inclusion and values-led leadership.

· Ability to work collaboratively and contribute positively to collective decision-making.

Previous trustee experience is not essential. We welcome applications from first-time trustees who share our values and are willing to learn and contribute to the Board's work.

Commitment

A modest but active commitment, including attendance at four Board meetings per year, one annual Board away day, participation in at least one Board sub-committee, and occasional engagement between meetings.

Board meetings are normally held in person at the Stones End Day Centre in Southwark. Whilst hybrid participation may occasionally be possible, the Board places a strong emphasis on in-person attendance to support effective discussion, decision-making and relationship-building.

Age UK Lewisham & Southwark is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly those whose experiences and perspectives are under-represented in charity governance.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Charity Trustee, Board Member, Non-Executive Director, Non-Executive Board Member, Charity Governor, School Governor, Committee Member, Advisory Board Member, Independent Board Member, Volunteer Trustee, Safeguarding Trustee or Board Advisor.

Volunteer Ambassador

We are looking for conscientious and proactive Volunteer Ambassadors to help raise the profile of ECI and support fundraising within the community.

Despite being one of Exeter’s oldest charities, many people are still unaware of the work we do. As an Ambassador, you will help share our impact, connect with the community, and support fundraising activity so more people can benefit from our services.

By joining our fundraising and engagement team, you will play an important role in helping ECI continue its work across Exeter and beyond.

What you’ll be doing

• Attend occasional group meetings and community events
• Represent ECI at local events, stands and awareness activities
• Help promote and support fundraising activities and initiatives
• Share information about ECI services, impact and opportunities to get involved
• Support bucket collections, awareness stands and community outreach
• Help identify locations for posters, collection tins and promotional materials
• Encourage community members to get involved in fundraising or volunteering
• Research local opportunities to support ECI’s work
• Follow ECI policies, procedures and safeguarding guidance

Commitment

• Flexible, ad-hoc volunteering based on your availability
• Attendance at occasional meetings and events
• No requirement to attend everything — we work around your schedule
• Communication may take place via WhatsApp, email or Facebook group

Skills and experience

We’re looking for volunteers who are:

• Friendly, confident and approachable
• Good communicators with a positive and empathetic manner
• Reliable, honest and able to work as part of a team
• Comfortable working independently when needed
• Willing to collaborate and make group decisions
• Passionate about community, wellbeing and supporting others

A driving licence or access to a car may be useful for some activities but is not essential.

What you’ll get

Volunteering with ECI is a rewarding way to give back, build confidence and connect with your community.

• Full training and ongoing support from ECI staff
• Opportunity to represent a well-established local charity
• Experience in community engagement and fundraising
• Meet new people and be part of a supportive team
• ECI T-shirt and ID badge
• Agreed expenses (if applicable)
• A sense of achievement from supporting local people and families
• Improved confidence, skills and wellbeing through volunteering

Become a Fundraising Volunteer!

Help make a better life for cats – because life is better with cats

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is, and always will be, at the heart of Cats Protection. It’s joyful, inclusive, and driven by people working together to transform the lives of cats, people, and communities. When you volunteer with us, you become part of something truly meaningful.

The difference you’ll make

Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, Cats Protection helps thousands of cats every year. Our fundraising volunteers play a vital role in making this possible. By using your passion for cats and people, you’ll help raise the funds needed to support more cats and kittens in need.

As a fundraising volunteer, we’ll support you to get involved in a way that suits you best. Whether you enjoy organising events, fundraising online, promoting activities on social media, helping with administration, or coming up with fresh ideas — there’s a place for you here. Whatever your skills or interests, this could be the perfect role.

What you can expect from us

• A warm, welcoming, and inclusive environment in line with our values and behaviours
• Support to help you have a positive and impactful volunteering experience
• Agreed out-of-pocket expenses covered in line with our Expenses Policy
• Access to learning, development, and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

This is a highly flexible role, and you can choose how you’d like to get involved. Opportunities include:

• Face-to-face fundraising – organising or helping at fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, and monitoring collection tins
• Online fundraising – setting up online appeals and writing engaging cat case studies to maximise donations
• Marketing and promotion – spreading the word about fundraising activities via social media and local press
• Administration – processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, and completing Gift Aid paperwork
• Championing our work – helping to develop new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement
• Photography – capturing images of cats in care, cats we’re helping, fundraising events, and all things Cats Protection

Time commitment

This role is flexible and designed to fit around your other commitments. You’ll be part of a friendly team raising vital funds — and having fun along the way.

You could be just the volunteer we’re looking for

We’re committed to building a diverse, compassionate, and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. Together, we’re courageous and compassionate in helping people see the world through cats’ eyes.

Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats. Together, we are all for cats.

We're growing our volunteering team and looking to recruit a second Lead Volunteer for our Communications & Marketing Team (and 2 Lead Volunteers specifically for Content.) The successful person will have the overall responsibility for the Charity’s communications and marketing. We’re looking for someone who has a passion for promoting a charity supporting a rare condition and can support and lead a volunteering team as well as plan and use communication tools such as websites, social media, Canva and other digital platforms.

This is a flexible volunteering opportunity, which means your commitment can be balanced around your lifestyle - being part of a team to ensure that communications to our community and supporters are up to date and timely.

You will provide leadership for your team and support the development of a communications plan for the charity.

Key Tasks and Objectives

● Lead a team of communications and marketing volunteers.

● Lead and co-ordinate internal projects, activities and campaigns that help build awareness of our organisation and its aims.

● Run the meetings for the Communications & Marketing Team on a monthly basis.

● Regularly meet with and be the point of contact for the lead volunteers for Content, Social Media and Email Marketing to co-ordinate and plan.

● Where and if possible, to also be an active part of the Communications & Marketing Team either as a content writer, copywriter or another role.

● Identifying, initiating and leading on projects which align to the strategy and realise our goals.

● Collaborate with the team.

● To support the charity in developing a visual form of our Annual Report or other reporting documents such as grant reports.

● Support the development and implementation of the Communications Strategy.

● Protecting our charity brand identity, ensuring it is delivered consistently, both internally and externally.

● Promote the charity across all our channels and forms of communication.

● Ensure effective, regular communication to both internal and external audiences.

● Review progress and effectiveness of the Communications Strategy on an annual basis.

What are we looking for?

About You

To be successful in this role you will:

● Have a real enthusiasm for excellence, innovation, continuous improvement and change.

● Be a team leader who is positive, hands-on and able to get the best out of a team.

● Have excellent interpersonal skills and be adept at building relationships with different stakeholders.

● Have the ability to think strategically but also enjoy being at an operational level to support your team and key stakeholders.

● Have a high level of attention to detail.

● Have the ability to prioritise, plan and organise projects and to manage expectations.

Experience and Skills

● The ability to communicate (verbal and non-verbal) to a wide variety of audiences including the public, various forms of media and on an individual basis.

● Experience in building and leading a team.

● Previous experience of working for charities and/or volunteer organisations is desirable but not required.

● Creativity regarding message management and medium.

● Good IT skills.

● Ability to motivate and enthuse others.

● To be a part of a team.

● Previous experience in marketing, communications, or related fields.

● Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire volunteers.

● Experience of using Canva or similar design packages.

● A strong network of PR and media contacts would be highly advantageous.

What's in it for you?

This role is a fantastic opportunity to volunteer with a small but ambitious charity, developing and honing your skills around leadership in the Third Sector.

Getting the right story in print and online can be challenging, especially when dealing with a rare health condition, but it is definitely rewarding.

You will gain experience in the charity sector, gain new or update your writing skills, a broader C.V., and a sense of accomplishment from using your skills to help people affected by a very painful condition.

You would be leading our small, friendly, forward-thinking charity team, focused on reaching people who may not have heard about the charity or about the condition. You would also have a key role in developing a communications and marketing strategy for a small charity. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to make a real difference to a rare condition.

Key Benefits

● Gain valuable experience in communications and marketing, plus charity team leadership.

● Make a meaningful impact on the fight to support the CRPS community.

● Develop professional skills and expand your network.

Why we want you

Our vision is a society in which Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive. When anyone in the Armed Forces community finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to – no one’s service is ever forgotten. More and more people need help, so we are growing our network of dedicated caseworkers.

Come and join our team! You will be making a real difference to the lives of those who need financial, practical, and emotional support. We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

What you will be doing

• Arranging to talk with potential beneficiaries (on the phone or face to face) at a mutually convenient time
• Understanding peoples’ support needs and gathering information to assess their circumstances
• Typing written case reports to apply for financial assistance
• Sign-posting to services providing specialist support, such as mental health or housing support
• Keeping beneficiaries and the SSAFA regional office up to date with progress

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Non-judgemental
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Be part of a friendly and supportive SSAFA team
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Access a range of training and learning opportunities

 Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost to you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

Why we want you

Our vision is a society in which Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive. When anyone in the Armed Forces community finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to – no one’s service is ever forgotten. More and more people need help, so we are growing our network of dedicated caseworkers.

Come and join our team! You will be making a real difference to the lives of those who need financial, practical, and emotional support. We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

What you will be doing

• Arranging to talk with potential beneficiaries (on the phone or face to face) at a mutually convenient time
• Understanding peoples’ support needs and gathering information to assess their circumstances
• Typing written case reports to apply for financial assistance
• Sign-posting to services providing specialist support, such as mental health or housing support
• Keeping beneficiaries and the SSAFA regional office up to date with progress

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Non-judgemental
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Be part of a friendly and supportive SSAFA team
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Access a range of training and learning opportunities

 Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost to you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

Why we want you

Our vision is a society in which Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive. When anyone in the Armed Forces community finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to – no one’s service is ever forgotten. More and more people need help, so we are growing our network of dedicated caseworkers.

Come and join our team! You will be making a real difference to the lives of those who need financial, practical, and emotional support. We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

What you will be doing

• Arranging to talk with potential beneficiaries (on the phone or face to face) at a mutually convenient time
• Understanding peoples’ support needs and gathering information to assess their circumstances
• Typing written case reports to apply for financial assistance
• Sign-posting to services providing specialist support, such as mental health or housing support
• Keeping beneficiaries and the SSAFA regional office up to date with progress

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Non-judgemental
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Be part of a friendly and supportive SSAFA team
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Access a range of training and learning opportunities

 Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost to you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

Why we want you

Our vision is a society in which Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive. When anyone in the Armed Forces community finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to – no one’s service is ever forgotten. More and more people need help, so we are growing our network of dedicated caseworkers.

Come and join our team! You will be making a real difference to the lives of those who need financial, practical, and emotional support. We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

What you will be doing

• Arranging to talk with potential beneficiaries (on the phone or face to face) at a mutually convenient time
• Understanding peoples’ support needs and gathering information to assess their circumstances
• Typing written case reports to apply for financial assistance
• Sign-posting to services providing specialist support, such as mental health or housing support
• Keeping beneficiaries and the SSAFA regional office up to date with progress

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Non-judgemental
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Be part of a friendly and supportive SSAFA team
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Access a range of training and learning opportunities

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost to you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in business development, corporate partnerships, account management, sales, CSR, philanthropy, or fundraising to use their skills to make a tangible difference in the lives of refugees.
You will play a key role in helping Plateful Café develop relationships with local and national businesses, generating support through corporate donations, sponsorship, employee volunteering, catering contracts, and long-term strategic partnerships.

Key Responsibilities
Corporate Engagement

• Identify and research prospective corporate partners aligned with Plateful Café's mission.
• Develop and maintain a pipeline of potential supporters and business contacts.
• Introduce Plateful Café to local businesses, corporate foundations, and employers.
• Arrange introductory meetings and networking opportunities.
• Support the development of corporate partnership proposals and presentations.

Income Generation

• Help secure financial donations, sponsorships, and in-kind support.
• Identify opportunities for corporate grant funding and charitable giving programmes.
• Promote employee fundraising opportunities and workplace giving schemes.
• Explore sponsorship opportunities for training programmes, events, and community activities.

Catering and Enterprise Development

• Promote Plateful Café's corporate catering services to local businesses.
• Identify opportunities for meetings, events, lunches, conferences, and hospitality catering.
• Support the development of long-term catering relationships and repeat customers.
• Help position Plateful Café as a preferred socially responsible catering supplier.

Employee Volunteering and Skills Sharing

• Develop opportunities for corporate volunteering.
• Encourage businesses to provide mentoring, employability support, and workplace visits for our trainees.
• Build relationships that create pathways into employment for refugees completing our training programmes.

Strategic Support

• Provide advice on corporate engagement and relationship management.
• Help strengthen our corporate partnership strategy.
• Support impact reporting and stewardship of existing partners where required.

We Are Looking For Someone Who Has
Essential

• Experience working in a corporate environment, business development, account management, sales, marketing, CSR, partnerships, fundraising, or a related field.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills.
• Confidence engaging with senior stakeholders and business leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and proactively.
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and supporting refugees.

Desirable

• Experience within the charity or not-for-profit sector.
• Knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR), ESG, or social value initiatives.
• Experience securing sponsorships, partnerships, or fundraising income.
• Existing business networks in London.
• Experience developing corporate volunteering programmes.

What You Will Gain

• The opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of refugees and people seeking asylum.
• Experience supporting a growing and ambitious social enterprise charity.
• The chance to shape and influence our corporate partnerships strategy.
• Opportunities to meet business leaders, charity professionals, and community partners.
• A reference and recognition for your contribution.
• The satisfaction of helping create employment opportunities and brighter futures for people rebuilding their lives in the UK.

Our Values
At Plateful Café, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to contribute, belong, and thrive. We celebrate diversity, value lived experience, and use food to bring communities together.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from individuals with experience of migration, displacement, or supporting diverse communities.

Romani-Speaking Community Support Volunteer

Role Overview

Europia is looking for a Romani-speaking volunteer to support community sessions for the Salford Central and Eastern European Health Navigators Project.

The project supports Central and Eastern European residents in Salford who may face language, digital or other barriers when accessing health and community services.

The volunteer will help welcome people, provide Romani language support and help residents use digital services. They will work alongside Europia staff to make sessions welcoming and accessible.

What the Role Will Involve

• Interpret between Romani-speaking residents and Europia staff during community sessions.

• Help Romani-speaking residents communicate with Europia staff. 

• Clearly interpret information provided by Europia staff.

• Translate short written information, messages and instructions between Romani and English.

• Help check that translated information is clear and easy to understand.

• Welcome residents when they arrive at community sessions.

• Explain how the session works and who service users need to speak to.

• Help service users use mobile phones, websites, online forms and digital services.

• Help prepare the room before sessions and tidy the space afterwards.

• Support the general running of community sessions.

• Communicate information clearly, accurately and sensitively.

• Comply with Europia’s Data Protection Policy and keep personal and sensitive information private.

• Follow Europia’s safeguarding, data protection and professional boundaries procedures.

When

• Community sessions will run until March 2027.

• The project will normally hold one community session each week.

• Each session will last around three hours.

• Volunteers will support agreed sessions as part of a rota.

• The exact days, times and number of sessions will be agreed with each volunteer.

Where

The project will be delivered across Salford. Sessions will take place at community venues, including:

• Eccles Gateway, M30 0TU

• Broughton Hub, M7 4BQ

• Together Family Centre, M44 6GX

• St Aidan’s Church, M7 3SE

• Selected Salford libraries

Volunteers may support sessions at one or more venues, depending on their availability and the needs of the project.

Skills and Experience

We are looking for someone who:

• Speaks Romani and English.

• Is friendly, patient and respectful.

• Has good communication and listening skills.

• Is comfortable speaking with people from different backgrounds.

• Can use basic websites, online forms and mobile phones.

• Is willing to help people with simple digital tasks.

• Can keep personal information private.

• Is reliable and able to attend agreed sessions.

• Is willing to learn and work as part of a team.

Previous volunteering, community work, language support or digital support experience would be helpful, but it is not essential.

Training and Support

Volunteers will receive:

• An induction before starting.

• Safeguarding training.

• Training on professional boundaries.

• Clear guidance about their role and responsibilities.

• Structured supervision and support from Europia staff.

• A Disclosure and Barring Service check.

• Information about possible pathways towards Immigration Advice Authority Level 1 qualifications, where appropriate.

Benefits

• Use your Romani language skills to support local residents.

• Gain experience in community support.

• Develop your communication and digital support skills.

• Build confidence and meet new people.

• Learn more about local health and community services.

• Receive regular support and supervision.

• Support Central and Eastern European communities in Salford.

• Receive agreed volunteer expenses.

• Gain experience that may support future employment, training or volunteering opportunities.

About the Role

As a Maintenance Volunteer, you will help maintain and improve the homes and environments of people with autism, sight loss, and learning disabilities. Your support will help create safe, comfortable, and welcoming spaces where people can thrive.

This role involves practical tasks such as painting, decorating, gardening, and general DIY. Please note that electrical, plumbing, and gas work are not included in this volunteer role.

 The Difference You Will Make

By volunteering, you will help to:

• Improve the appearance and comfort of people's homes.
• Create safe and welcoming environments.
• Support people to feel proud of where they live.
• Enhance the wellbeing of the people we support.

 What You Will Do

• Assist with painting and decorating projects.
• Carry out basic DIY tasks and minor repairs.
• Help with gardening and outdoor maintenance.
• Support with assembling furniture and equipment.
• Follow health and safety guidance at all times.
• Report any maintenance concerns to SeeAbility staff.

What We Are Looking For

We are looking for volunteers who are:

• Practical and reliable.
• Friendly and approachable.
• Happy to work as part of a team.
• Enthusiastic about making a difference.
• Committed to inclusion and equality.

Previous DIY or maintenance experience is essential.

Requirements

• Aged 18 or over.
• Complete volunteer induction and training.
• Provide references.
• Complete a DBS check if required.
• Follow SeeAbility policies and health and safety procedures.
• Applicants must live near the volunteering location.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. In 2024 we  celebrated our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time.

SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

Why we want you

Our vision is a society in which Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive. When anyone in the Armed Forces community finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to – no one’s service is ever forgotten. More and more people need help, so we are growing our network of dedicated caseworkers.

Come and join our team! You will be making a real difference to the lives of those who need financial, practical, and emotional support. We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

What you will be doing

• Arranging to talk with potential beneficiaries (on the phone or face to face) at a mutually convenient time
• Understanding peoples’ support needs and gathering information to assess their circumstances
• Typing written case reports to apply for financial assistance
• Sign-posting to services providing specialist support, such as mental health or housing support
• Keeping beneficiaries and the SSAFA regional office up to date with progress

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Non-judgemental
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Be part of a friendly and supportive SSAFA team
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Access a range of training and learning opportunities

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost to you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

Why we want you

Our vision is a society in which Armed Forces, veterans and their families can thrive. When anyone in the Armed Forces community finds themselves in need, SSAFA is the charity they can turn to – no one’s service is ever forgotten. More and more people need help, so we are growing our network of dedicated caseworkers.

Come and join our team! You will be making a real difference to the lives of those who need financial, practical, and emotional support. We value all our volunteers and the unique skills and experience they bring.

What you will be doing

• Arranging to talk with potential beneficiaries (on the phone or face to face) at a mutually convenient time
• Understanding peoples’ support needs and gathering information to assess their circumstances
• Typing written case reports to apply for financial assistance
• Sign-posting to services providing specialist support, such as mental health or housing support
• Keeping beneficiaries and the SSAFA regional office up to date with progress

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Non-judgemental
• Reliable
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Be part of a friendly and supportive SSAFA team
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews
• Access a range of training and learning opportunities

 Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment. This role qualifies for a criminal record check, which will be carried out at no cost to you. If you have a criminal record, it won't necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer. Please read our Volunteer Vetting Guidance for more information.

Volunteer Graphic Designer

We’re looking for a talented and creative Volunteer Graphic Designer to help us bring our ideas to life and make sure our communications look as good as the work we do. You’ll work with our team to create a wide range of materials, including posters, leaflets, newsletters, fundraising appeals, social media graphics, adoption materials, event promotions and other communications.

What you’ll do

• Take ideas and creative briefs from our team and turn them into strong visual designs.
• Create eye-catching posters, flyers, leaflets and other printed materials.
• Help us produce attractive and engaging newsletters.
• Design graphics for social media and digital communications.
• Create materials for fundraising campaigns, appeals and events.
• Help us tell the stories of the animals we rescue and the people we support through compelling visual content.
• Work within our existing brand and help develop a consistent and recognisable visual style.
• Suggest your own creative ideas and approaches.
• Make amendments and develop designs based on feedback.
• Prepare artwork for both digital use and professional printing.

What we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who is creative, reliable and has a great eye for design. You’ll ideally have experience in graphic design and be able to show us examples of your work or a portfolio. You’ll be able to take a fairly simple idea or brief and turn it into something polished, professional and visually engaging. You’ll have a good understanding of design principles including layout, typography, imagery and colour, and be comfortable adapting your approach for different audiences and purposes.

Experience using Canva or similar software would be useful, but we’re more interested in your creativity and the quality of your work than the particular software you use.

You’ll need to be able to work independently, manage agreed deadlines, take feedback positively and pay attention to detail.

You don’t need previous charity experience, but an interest in animal welfare and a desire to use your skills to make a difference would be a real advantage.

Why volunteer with us?

Your work will have a direct and visible impact. Good design helps us reach more people, raise more money and ultimately do more for animals and the people who care for them. Your designs could help someone decide to adopt an animal, encourage someone to donate, attract a new volunteer or help us reach a family who needs support with veterinary costs. This is an opportunity to use your creative skills for a local charity where your work will genuinely make a difference.

The role is flexible and can largely be carried out remotely. We can agree projects and deadlines around your availability, so it could suit an experienced designer, someone returning to design, or a creative professional looking to volunteer their skills for a worthwhile cause. If you have a creative eye, enjoy turning ideas into great-looking finished products and would like to use your skills to support local animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for a creative, reliable and enthusiastic person who can take an idea and turn it into a professional, engaging and visually appealing finished product.

The most important thing is strong graphic design ability and a good eye for design. We’re not necessarily looking for someone with a particular qualification or a specific career background. We’re looking for someone who understands what makes good visual communication and can create designs that catch people’s attention, communicate a message clearly and encourage people to take action.

Our ideal volunteer will have experience creating materials such as posters, leaflets, flyers, newsletters, social media graphics, fundraising materials or promotional content. We’d particularly welcome someone who can show examples of their previous work through a portfolio or examples of designs they have created.

We’d like someone who can take a relatively simple brief from us - for example, an idea for a fundraising appeal or an adoption campaign - and use their own creativity to develop the concept into something really effective. We will often provide the content, photographs and key messages, but we need someone who can think about how best to present these visually.

The ability to work with an existing brand and maintain a consistent look and feel is important. You’ll need a good understanding of layout, typography, imagery, colour and visual hierarchy, as well as an ability to adapt designs for different audiences and formats.

Experience with Canva or similar design software would be useful. However, we’re more interested in what you can create than which software you use.

We’re also looking for someone who is:

• Creative - able to bring fresh ideas and suggest different ways of presenting our messages.
• Visually aware - with a strong eye for composition, typography, imagery and detail.
• Reliable - able to agree realistic deadlines and deliver work when promised.
• Independent - comfortable taking a brief and developing it without needing constant direction.
• Collaborative - happy to work with our team, listen to feedback and make revisions where needed.
• Organised - able to manage several projects and keep track of agreed deadlines.
• Adaptable - comfortable creating different types of materials for both print and digital use.
• Passionate about making a difference - interested in using their skills to support animal welfare.

Previous experience working with charities would be useful but is not essential. We’d welcome applications from professional designers, freelance designers, people looking to build their portfolio, or experienced creatives who simply want to use their skills for a local cause. Most importantly, we want someone who cares about producing work they can be proud of and understands that great design can help us reach more people, raise more funds and ultimately make a greater difference to animals and families in our community.

What difference will you make?

Good design can make a real difference to a local charity. Every day, we have important stories to tell about the animals we rescue, the families we support and the difference our volunteers, donors and supporters make. But having a good story is only part of the challenge. We need to make sure people notice it, understand it and feel motivated to take action.

As a local RSPCA branch, we rely heavily on our own fundraising and community support. The money we raise enables us to rescue animals, provide veterinary treatment, care for animals while they recover and find them safe and loving homes. We also provide financial support to local pet owners who are struggling to afford essential veterinary treatment, helping animals receive the care they need and remain with the people who love them.

A skilled volunteer graphic designer can help us communicate all of this far more effectively.

Your designs could help us create fundraising appeals that encourage more people to donate, adoption materials that help animals find their new homes, volunteer recruitment campaigns that bring new people into our team and social media content that reaches a much wider audience. You could help turn an idea for a campaign into a professional poster, transform information into an engaging leaflet or bring an animal's story to life through compelling visual content.

For a charity like ours, every additional person reached and every additional donation generated can make a tangible difference. Your work will also help us present ourselves consistently and professionally across our communications. This will strengthen our local presence, build recognition of our branch and help people understand that their support is making a direct difference to animals and families in our community.
Most importantly, you will be able to see the results of your contribution. A design you create could help raise the funds needed for an animal's veterinary treatment, attract a new fosterer, recruit a volunteer, find a home for an animal or encourage someone to support our work for the first time.
This isn't simply an opportunity to create attractive designs. It is an opportunity to use your creativity and professional skills to help animals and the people who care for them.

By volunteering your time and expertise, you will become an important part of our team and help us communicate our work more effectively, reach more people and ultimately do more for animals across our local community.

Before you apply

We’re hoping to build a small team of creative volunteers who can work with us on different projects, so we’d love to hear from anyone with graphic design skills and a creative eye.

We’ll review applications and portfolios as they come in and will contact all applicants. We’d particularly like to see examples of previous graphic design work, so please include a link to your portfolio, website or relevant examples where possible.

We’ll arrange a short informal conversation with applicants to talk about the role, your experience and the type of creative work you enjoy.

We’re hoping to start building our creative team as soon as possible, so applications will be reviewged on an ongoing basis rather than waiting for a fixed closing date.