Training volunteer roles

Why we want you

Local groups across the UK are run by volunteers and offer friendship and support to people living with Parkinson's and their families and friends. The friendly faces and warm welcome provided by support group helpers means attendees get the most from the group, with the activities on offer running smoothly.

What you will be doing

• Welcome new people when they come along to activities for the first time
• Promote the group and Parkinson's UK in your community
• Help setting up and clearing up after group meetings - supporting other volunteers during busy periods
• Assist at events, which may include serving refreshments, handling registrations and raffles
• Contribute ideas for fundraising, activities and potential speakers

The skills you need

• A positive outlook to make things happen in our local community

What's in it for you

• You'll make new friends and meet new people, both in the branch and in the local community
• You'll be making a real difference for people affected by Parkinson's in your community

Disclaimer

It's important that people affected by Parkinson’s can trust us with their personal information. You would be handling personal or sensitive data, so by undertaking this role you'll need to complete our Advanced Data Protection training. Your Parkinson’s UK staff contact can help you do this. You will also be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

To telephone befriendees at their home for approximately 10 to 30 minutes, you will arrange the specific times of your future calls directly with them. These calls are intended to occur once a week, but individual needs will be matched with your availability.To provide a telephone conversation, a listening ear and chat about interests and hobbies, helping to alleviate loneliness and feelings of isolation. To provide companionship and human interaction at a time when this may be limited. To provide an update after each call to the Telephone Befriending support Team. This is so we can keep a track of the amount of befriending calls each volunteer is undertaking, the type of support being offered during these calls and if there is anything further required.

It is important to note telephone befriending is not counselling or therapy and other services must be sought if this is required.

Benefits

• FREE DBS.
• Discounted food.
• Store discount.
• Volunteer from home.
• Above all you will be making a positive difference in your befriendee’s life.
• As a volunteer telephone befriender, you will learn how to support others, make friends, become more confident, and practice communication skills.
• You will gain new and transferable skills. We offer support for you to increase your own job-readiness and personal development.
• Training opportunities,
• Volunteering experience
• Detailed references will be provided.

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Are you looking for a fundraising role that makes a real difference to a local charity? 

 At Acorns we provide care and support for life limited or life threatened children and their families. We are a charity, and our fundraising is vital to enable us to continue providing care and support to the children: it costs around £13 million a year to run our care services. 

We are looking for volunteers to join our fundraising team at Roberts Farm Shop on Saturday 18th October.  We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us collect donations at the pumpkin patch whilst supporting our cause in a rewarding environment.

 How much time will it take?  

• 10.00am – 4.00pm, but you can join us at any point for an hour or two.

 Am I right for the role? 

We’re looking for volunteers who are:

• Approachable and happy to raise awareness about Acorns
• Versatile and willing to adapt and help out 

  Why volunteer at Acorns? 

• To help a local charity and make a difference in your community
• Connect with likeminded people and make new friends
• Learn new skills to boost your CV
• Opportunities to progress to other roles
• Access to free online training courses
• Retail discounts

• Participation in our volunteer recognition schemes and rewards

  We can only accept volunteers who are 18 years of age or older. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must also apply as they need to accompany you for the duration of your volunteer activities.

Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing, providing supported living accommodation for young women aged 18-30 in recovery from drugs, alcohol and other addictive behaviors.

As a great communicator with ‘green fingers’ you will create a calm, nurturing environment in which to support the residents to gain gardening skills and to explore the possibility of growing their own food. 

Activities

Inspire the residents to take an interest in the outdoor space at Amy’s Place and involve them in the development of a regular gardening and/or food growing club.

Help residents to develop their gardening skills and knowledge specific to growing food, through group workshops and individually tailored support, guidance and encouragement.

Commitment 

This is a flexible opportunity and volunteering times and frequency will vary depending on the volunteer’s availability and the needs of the residents. It might be every week or fortnight ideally for a minimum of 3 months.

Requirements 

This role will require us to carry out an enhanced check through the disclosure and barring service.

Support 

•  Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training
•  Reasonable travel and lunch expenses will be reimbursed
• The role is based at the service in East London. The exact address cannot be given until the volunteer starts due to safety and privacy reasons

Become a Visitor Engagement Volunteer at RSPB Middleton Lakes and help connect people with the natural world!
If you have a passion for wildlife, enjoy engaging with people, and love spending time outdoors, this role offers a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference. As a Visitor Engagement Volunteer, you will be at the heart of our nature reserve experience, welcoming visitors, sharing your enthusiasm for the environment, and helping ensure everyone enjoys their time with us.

Your role will involve greeting visitors as they arrive, providing information about parking and entry, and chatting with them about the important conservation work carried out by the RSPB. You’ll assist with keeping the Welcome Hub tidy and well-organized, updating information boards, and helping run events and activities. You’ll also be responsible for handling card payments for merchandise, refreshments, and activities. Full training and support will be provided, including how to open and close the visitor hub safely.

Shifts are flexible and available on weekends, with morning sessions from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and afternoon sessions from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, allowing you to fit volunteering around your lifestyle. This role is perfect for anyone who is friendly, approachable, and enjoys chatting with others. You will gain valuable skills, meet new people, and spend quality time in a beautiful outdoor setting, all while supporting vital wildlife conservation.

Join our welcoming team and help make Middleton Lakes a place where both nature and people thrive!

ENGINEERS/MAKERS

Across the UK, our 60+ local branches help disabled people live the lives they choose. Our network of skilled volunteers respond to thousands of requests each year to design and make customised equipment free of charge.

Our Engineer/Maker volunteers are at the very heart of what our local branches do. They use their practical skills and creativity to help people with disabilities live fuller and more independent lives.

What the role involves

This is a varied role where local need shapes what you’ll be working on, but it often includes:

• Designing and making pieces of equipment for individuals with specific needs

• Using your practical skills working with metal, wood, plastic, or electronics (or a combination of them)

• Attending a monthly meeting of the local branch.

We can support you to develop the skills you need for this role, and there’s an induction that covers all the areas above. You’ll also have chance to discuss your role and any additional needs with us.

What you’ll need for this role

Essential

• Practical experience in working with one of the above materials

• Comfortable working with people, listening to them and understanding their needs

• Able to apply our risk management system

• Able to apply disability, equality, and inclusion practices

• Able to keep people’s personal details safe

• Willing to follow REMAP policies and procedures and a commitment to our values

Desirable

• Access to your own tools and workshop (or can access these)

• Able to drive or have good transport links

You’ll also need to complete the induction checklist, as well as a DBS check and reference check.

Why volunteer

When you volunteer with us, you join a community of committed people with a passion for helping to improve the lives of others. We’re a volunteer led organisation and we couldn’t do what we do without your hard work, skills and commitment.

N.B. We’ll reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses during your time with us.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You don’t need a military background, just some spare time occasionally, and an ability to get on with people from diverse backgrounds and age groups. If so, this could be the role for you.

What is a Helper?

SSAFA Helpers provide support to local SSAFA branches, so that the service to veterans and their families can run smoothly. Perhaps you could help out at an event, take care of some office admin, or give a talk about SSAFA?

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

We have peak times throughout the year when we need extra volunteers. Whether you enjoy organising behind the scenes or being out meeting the public, we need people who can offer some time on a flexible basis.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

This role will suit you if you are looking to volunteer on a flexible basis as and when you are available, and we need extra help. You may be based in an office, at home, or out and about at events.

What would you be doing?

• Helping at public events by staffing stalls, stewarding etc
• Helping to distribute Christmas hampers to clients.
• Giving talks about SSAFA to schools and local groups
• Helping with office tasks like stuffing envelopes, ordering marketing materials

The remit of this role may change over the next 12-18 months depending on the outcome of a trial currently being undertaken.

What could you gain from this volunteering role?

• Support people in your community with a military background
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Local induction
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable people with a cheerful attitude
• Good spoken English
• Ability to represent SSAFA and its values to potential clients, their families, other agencies, potential volunteers and potential funders.
• Ability to keep within the boundaries of the role with regards to safeguarding, giving advice etc.
• Reliable attitude, keep appointments, update the branch regarding your availability.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.
• Access to transport if needed for your role.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities to have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? No

Placement Volunteers at the British Red Cross are highly valued for the skills and energy they bring. We aim to provide our placement volunteers with an insight into the daily workings of the world’s largest humanitarian organisation. They will have access to relevant in-house training and development opportunities during their placement with possible ad hoc opportunities to get involved in other areas of activity.

The British Red Cross is a volunteer-led humanitarian organisation that helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We enable vulnerable people at home and overseas to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help people recover and move on with their lives.

The expected start date for the placement will be July 2025 and the placement will run for 6 weeks, daytimes 10am to 4pm, volunteering upto 3 days per week.

The placement will be hybrid in location, from the volunteer's home and the British Red Cross office in Moorgate, London (EC2Y 9AL).

About the role: Up and down the country, groups of passionate students are running British Red Cross on Campus supporter groups, acting as fundraisers, advocates and taking part in our calls to action. We have groups in sixth form colleges, further education establishments, youth organisations and universities. You can set up your own group and make a real difference, gain valuable skills and get recognised for your volunteering. We are looking for someone to support the development of our resources and calls to action.

Typical placements tasks may include:

• Researching other charities On Campus offers
• Reviewing our packs and resources for setting up and running a group
• Reviewing and creating new calls to action
• Coming up with a year plan for On Campus

You need to have good interpersonal, diplomacy, communication and teamwork skills although full training can be given for any technical requirements. We keep the beneficiary at the heart of what we do, working to understand their needs and the difference we make.

Also someone who has:

• Good research skills
• Good written communication skills

Bursary Scheme The British Red Cross offers a bursary scheme to those placement volunteers from low-income households. Eligibility will be determined through a separate application process open to all short-listed candidates. All British Red Cross volunteers are entitled to out-of-pocket reasonable expenses. For this scheme we are defining low-income households as: Inside London: Living with family or partner £25,000 or under. Living independently £22.500 or under Outside London: Living with family or partner £18,500 or under. Living independently £16,500 or under

Young People and this role Our placement volunteer opportunities are open to people at different stages of their career, aged 15 or above. Whether you’re student, a recent graduate or someone with more experience looking for a career change, we would be happy to hear from you. Anyone can volunteer with the Red Cross from the age of 15. An individual risk assessment, parental consent and safeguarding considerations will be required for those aged 15 – 17. The nature of the activities specific to your intern opportunity may mean that you need to be 18 years or older.

Diversity We welcome applications from people of different backgrounds, experience and circumstances. We seek to ensure that our organisation and our services are relevant and accessible to all, with equality, diversity and fairness at the core of what we do. We invite applications from individuals regardless of their gender, race, ethnicity, nationality, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or political belief and are committed to promoting fair participation and equality of opportunity for all of our applicants.

The British Red Cross is committed to being inclusive, with a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible diversity of backgrounds, cultures and experiences – including disabled and ethnic minority candidates. We value fresh perspectives and insights gained by involving and welcoming people from the widest possible diversity of background, culture and experience. This is to contribute to the breadth of experience we need to respond to people in crisis.

Our vision for volunteering

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

The difference you will make to cats and people

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

You can expect us to 

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

What we need from you 

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

We stop good food from going to waste and give it to people who need it.

Warehouse volunteers sort and pack food donations and ready orders for distribution to the people who need it.

What will I be doing?

• Manually packing food orders
• Sorting, labelling and repacking food donations
• Making sure food is within use by dates and handled safely

What we need you to be:

• Able to perform physical tasks including lifting and loading
• Able to work well in a team and on your own
• Adaptable and flexible. Managing surplus food is unpredictable and tasks vary
• Positive, friendly and personable
• Work well in a team and on your own
• Follow health and safety policies & procedures.

Why volunteer as a Warehouse Assistant?

• Gain warehouse management skills such as food safety, manual handling and forklift training if available at your site
• Meet new people, be part of a team and socialise with fellow volunteers
• Keep physically fit and active
• Be at the forefront of stopping good food from going to waste, and ensuring it gets to people who need it
• Search on our website for more benefits from volunteering with FareShare.

Across the UK, our Regional and Community Development teams work alongside our local groups to play an active role in increasing awareness of and engagement with the MS Society locally.

As our Regional Cultural Connector Volunteer, you’ll help to identify and plan our involvement and support of regional or local activities and events aimed at minority, hidden and culturally specific groups, to provide information for people living with MS as well as help us to engage with those communities to understand their priorities and needs.

We want to show that we’re here to support everyone and to do that we need to reach and connect with people within their own communities. You’ll help us do that with a welcoming and friendly attitude and ability to reach and promote us within your region.

In this role you’ll be able to develop your organisation, communication and team working skills.

About you

Confidence in speaking to new people, networking skills and the ability to influence would be fantastic. We would work to your strengths, however and some training will be available.

The MS Society is committed to promoting diversity. We can only offer roles to over 18s.

Apply

Read the role description

All applicants will be contacted within two weeks of their submission.

Our vision for volunteering

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

The difference you will make to cats and people

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

You can expect us to 

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

A bit more information about this role and the team

The branch need indoor fosterers so any applicants would need to have a suitable spare room available.

What we need from you 

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

Come and join the Feeling Strong team! ����

We're looking for a Co-chair to lead and shape the strategic vision of Feeling Strong, Dundee’s youth mental health charity, through the next 2026 - 2029 Strategy in line with our mission and our values. In this role, you will act as one of two lead Trustee Board Members of the organisation, responsible for the agenda and actions of Trustee meetings and AGM, improving good governance, supervising the Chief Executive Officer and acting as a senior ambassador of the organisation. 

This is a voluntary, fixed three-year term governance role, requiring attendance at six meetings per year, and monthly support sessions held in Dundee (Block 5, 2 Seabraes Lane, Dundee, DD1 4NX).

Training and induction will be provided so we are open to all candidates, and we expect them to develop skills once in post, but we would welcome candidates with any of the following experience:

• Governance and previous board experience

• Business development and trading income generation

• Human resources

• Lived experience of mental health and wellbeing challenges

• Financial background

Work-related travel costs will be reimbursed.
We will require that the position is taken up ahead of our August Trustee Board Meeting. ����

Are you looking for a Fundraising role that makes a real difference to a local charity? 

 At Acorns we provide care and support for life limited or life threatened children and their families. We are a charity, and our fundraising is vital to enable us to continue providing care and support to the children: it costs around £13 million a year to run our care services. 

Join our fundraising team at Malvern Theatre for the Pantomime on Saturday13th December 2025 ,  and make a difference. We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help us collect donations before and after the performance. 

 How much time will it take?  

The collection is from 4.30pm – 6.00pm

 Am I right for the role? 

• We’re looking for volunteers who are
• Approachable and happy to raise awareness about Acorns
• Versatile and willing to adapt and help out 

  Why volunteer at Acorns? 

• To help a local charity and make a difference in your community
• Connect with likeminded people and make new friends
• Learn new skills to boost your CV
• Opportunities to progress to other roles
• Access to free online training courses
• Retail discounts

• Participation in our volunteer recognition schemes and rewards.

  We can only accept volunteers who are 18 years of age or older. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must also apply as they need to accompany you for the duration of your volunteer activities.