Volunteer roles

Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 600 shops. Our stores sell lots of great donated & new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.

Our retail stores are the face of our charity on the high-street and in local communities. We have loads of amazing stock donated to us every week, and this all needs to be sorted, tagged and put on the shop-floor for sale!

Making sure our shops look fantastic is another task you can get involved with. You may also be required to help out on the till too, but we will show you how that works during your time volunteering with us. We value the contribution of everyone who supports Barnardo’s.

You will be a friendly face of Barnardo’s by volunteering in one of our shops. It would be great if you could volunteer one shift a week (or even more if you want) but we’re always happy to be flexible to work around your availability.

Why we want you

Our amazing team of vibrant & diverse volunteers helps us run over 700 stores. Our stores sell lots of great donated and new goods to help raise vital funds to make a real difference to disadvantaged children, young people and families across the UK.

What you will be doing

• Work on the till processing sales and returns
• Prepare stock, including sorting, steaming and pricing
• Create stylish window displays
• Replenish stock on the shop floor
• Stock-take and other administrative tasks

The skills you need

• Friendly and helpful
• Happy to be part of an amazing team of staff and volunteers
• Enthusiastic about the work of Barnardo’s
• Flexible and willing to do a variety of the shop tasks

What's in it for you

• Have fun and meet new people
• Develop skills for your CV including confidence, teamwork and problem solving
• Make a difference to the lives of children, young people and their families
• Learning and development opportunities through our Volunteer Academy which includes access to Level 2 Qualifications and other accredited courses
• Full training and experience of working in retail as a volunteer

Disclaimer

We look to recruit a diverse range of volunteers. If your skills don't fit the above, please do not let this put you off as we are able to be flexible with most of our roles. If you are unable to apply online through the link on this page, please visit your local store for a paper application form or contact the Barnardo's Volunteering Team on our website.

Location:

34, St Andrews Street, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, AB25 1JA, United Kingdom

Minimum age: 14 

Please note: we only accept applications from those residing in the UK

The Forum seeks to recruit Trustees who have a keen interest in mental health and a desire to build on their understanding through experience.

The Organisation:
The Dorset Mental Health Forum is a values-based Charitable Incorporated Organisation influencing social change and advocating for social justice in Dorset and beyond. 
Our workforce increase understanding of mental health, wellbeing and Recovery, challenging prejudice around people’s experiences of mental distress and trauma, through lived experience expertise, education and coproduction.
We are a community of people who have experiences of mental distress and managing a mental health condition, experiences of trauma, living with long term health issues or caring for someone who is in emotional distress. Our lived experience infrastructure brings the collective voice of lived experience expertise to the heart of real and sustainable change across Dorset.

The Role:
The Forum seeks to recruit people who have a keen interest in mental health and a desire to build on their understanding through experience and who: 

• Feel that their personal values and beliefs align with those of the Forum. 
• Are able and willing to allocate enough time to the role. 
• Are looking to bring their skills and experience to a meaningful and proactive role. 
• We celebrate diversity and welcome applications from people with a broad range of backgrounds and experiences. Non-executive experience is desirable but not essential. We encourage applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates. 

Any person aged 18 or over can act as a Forum Trustee provided they are not disqualified under the Charities Act. 

We ensure appointments are made following a transparent, balanced and appropriate process and based on merit. 

Person Specification:

• Understanding of the role of governance  and non-executive leadership to support the Chief Executive and Senior Leadership Team. 
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties and responsibilities of being a Trustee. 
• Experience and understanding of mental health and the social care sector. 
• Understanding of and ability to operate in accordance with the Principles of Wellbeing, Recovery and Coproduction. 
• Professional background in finance. 
• Understanding and experience in relation to safeguarding. 
• Ability to think strategically and articulate strategic vision. 
• Ability to scrutinise and analyse information, leading to constructive, strengths focused and supportive challenge. 
• Good critical thinking, objective reasoning and decision-making skills. 
• Good interpersonal and relationship building skills. 
• Ability to communicate effectively. 
• Ability and confidence in utilising digital technology and systems. 

Further Information:
For comprehensive information about the Dorset Mental Health Forum, the role responsibilities and the person we are looking for, please download the Candidate Information Document.

Location: Hybrid - charity based in Watford, Hertfordshire
Commitment: Flexible hours with occasional in-person meetings

About Us

Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership is dedicated to supporting refugees and asylum seekers by providing immigration services, advocacy, a social hub and ESOL classes. Our IT systems play a crucial role in ensuring we can deliver our services effectively, and we are seeking an IT volunteer to help maintain and improve our digital infrastructure.

Role Overview

We are seeking a motivated and tech-savvy IT Volunteer to assist our organization with various technology-related tasks. This role is ideal for individuals looking to gain experience in IT while contributing to a meaningful cause. The IT Volunteer will work closely with our staff to ensure that our technology systems are running smoothly and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

· Provide basic IT support to staff and volunteers (troubleshooting software/hardware issues).

· Assist with setting up and maintaining computers, printers, and other devices.

· Help manage and update the charity’s website, databases and cloud systems.

· Recommend improvements to IT infrastructure and digital tools.

· Email communications with all functionalities in the charity’s IT.

Skills & Experience

· Knowledge of IT systems, troubleshooting, and basic network administration.

· Experience with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, IONOS (our current host) or similar tools.

· Understanding of website maintenance (WordPress, Divi (our current website builder/theme), Stripe (payment gateway), WPForms (integrated with Stripe) or other CMS is a plus).

· Familiarity with cybersecurity best practices.

· Good problem-solving skills and ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users.

· Previous experience in IT support, web development, or database management is a plus.

What We Offer

· The opportunity to use your IT skills for a meaningful cause.

· Hands-on experience in a charity environment.

· A supportive and friendly team.

If you're passionate about using technology to make a difference in the lives of refugees, we'd love to hear from you!

How to Apply:
Please send your CV via Charity Job and someone will give you a call/email to discuss further.

A Little About Us!
Youth Advantage UK is a research-led, un incorporated un registered charitable organisation. We use a research-led approach to protect the rights and interests of young people through positive action such as projects, policy work, research, services, events. We promote and empower change.

Why we need you!
Youth Advantage UK are in our early stages but are growing and looking for volunteers to help achieve our aims to become a registered charitable organisation. Your skills and expertise are what we need to continue to grow. Without our volunteers we cannot grow and appreciate those who apply with us!

Responsibilities:

Actively contribute to the development and implementation of HR strategy in collaboration with the Chief People Officer, ensuring alignment with the charity’s mission and organisational goals.

Design and implement people-centric solutions to address key HR challenges, driving both strategic initiatives and practical, operational results.

Lead the development and execution of HR policies, ensuring they are in line with the organisation's objectives and reflect best practices in a volunteer-driven environment.

Manage and mentor a team of HR Managers and HR Business Partners, fostering their growth and ensuring they meet key deliverables.

Provide both high-level strategic support and hands-on, operational assistance when required, including driving recruitment, retention, L&D and engagement initiatives.

Serve as a trusted advisor to the Chief People Officer, offering strategic insights and designing solutions to resolve HR challenges and enhance organisational effectiveness.

Act as a key liaison between management and volunteers, addressing inquiries, escalating issues, and resolving work-related concerns with a solution-focused approach.

Produce and present insightful reports, surveys, and analytics to C-level Executives, delivering key HR metrics and analysis to inform decision-making.

The Head of HR reports directly to the Chief People Officer, working closely to set HR strategies, design solutions, and ensure the effective delivery of people initiatives across the charity.

You will have:

• At least 3 years' experience in an HR managerial position.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Though we do not require you to be a native English speaker, you must be Fluent in English.
• Ability to work within organisational targets.
• IT Literacy, including Google Suite and Microsoft Office.
• An understanding of HR-related processes and legislation.
• A CIPD qualification would be advantageous but is not essential depending on relevant experience.

Benefits:

• This is a UK based, 100% Fully remote and flexible role
• Supportive Team and Management to enhance your skills and build on your experience.
• Your work will help transform and empower many young people’s lives, rights and interests and assist in promoting equality for all young people.

What we offer!
Anybody who wishes to help and contribute to a good cause are welcome to apply for one of our volunteering positions. We will speak to you about what your aims are to ensure that the volunteering position you are applying for is suitable. By volunteering you have the chance to learn something new and contribute to a successful organisation who is looking to help young people in the UK.

Please note that we are ideally looking for volunteers who are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Expected to undergo a DBS check, e-learning modules, safeguarding level 2, fundamentals, principles, youth leader first aid and a day warrant.

Pursuing the role

Closing date for these opportunities is: 14th June 2025

=To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Youth Leaders work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units. By organising a mixed weekly programme, this role will support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Leaders also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Expected to undergo a DBS check, e-learning modules, safeguarding level 2, fundamentals, principles, youth leader first aid and a day warrant.

Pursuing the role

Closing date for these opportunities is: 14th June 2025

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Social Media Officer Job Description

Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP)

At Watford & Three Rivers Refugee Partnership, our objective is to provide practical and emotional support, ultimately helping our clients achieve a sustainable position as full members of our society. Many of our clients are destitute, homeless and have no access to assistance from the government. Our mission is to provide access to advice and essential services until statutory services are in place.

Volunteering as a Social Media Officer provides an opportunity for you to help promote the charity to current and potential clients as well as the wider community, which could attract donors and other volunteers. As well as this it will be a way for you to develop your social media and computer skills, gain experience volunteering for a charity and also it will be an interesting addition to your CV!

Full training will be given on starting the role, including safeguarding, as well as regular training sessions and continual support from other volunteers.

Responsibilities:

· Updating the charity’s Facebook, X and Instagram pages regularly (ideally at least weekly).

· Liaising with other volunteers from other services to gather photos and information to post prior to and after events/sessions.

· Attend and take photos of the bigger charity events throughout the year.

· Try to gain more followers and traction through social media.

· Reply to comments, share posts and stories and follow relevant local and national organisations.

Requirements:

· 1-2 ad/hoc hours a week.

· Complete training as required and attend bi-monthly volunteer support meetings.

Skills:

· An ability to communicate and empathise with people from a variety of backgrounds and needs.

· Basic IT and social media skills.

· Can work well as part of a team.

· Enthusiasm to help refugee clients.

Desirable experience: 

· Previous volunteering experience.

· Able to follow new social media trends and algorithms to create as much engagement as possible.

If you are interested in becoming a Social Media Officer please apply via Charity Jobs or contact us to discuss further.

Across the UK, our 65 local branches work with disabled people to help them 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.

As our local branch Finance/Treasurer volunteer, you’ll make sure your branch gets the most for its money.

You’ll maintain income and expenditure records to document and report on branch finances. You’ll manage their accounts and make financial information easy to understand.

What the role involves

This is a varied role that each branch tends to do a bit differently, but it will involve:

• Accurately maintaining income and expenditure records to  document and report on branch finances

• Offering objectivity around the spending of money and ensuring money is spent in a cost-effective manner

• Approving income and expenditure with the other branch bank account signatories

• Ensuring that our financial requirements and policies relating to group finances are followed

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

• Confident using Microsoft Office, the internet and email

• Experience in bookkeeping, budgeting, and planning income and expenditure

• Able to apply disability, equality, and inclusion practices

• Able to keep people’s personal data safe

• A commitment to our aims and values

You’ll also need to complete the induction checklist and some online training.

If it works better for you, there’s a possibility this role could be done remotely.

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

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 are looking for an indoor fosterer so any applicants would need to have a suitable spare room.

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.

Bgen, the Botanic Gardens Education Network, is seeking a new Treasurer Trustee to join its Board. This unpaid voluntary role offers a unique opportunity to support a small, but passionate charity at a pivotal moment in its growth.

Bgen is a specialist support network for professional plant and natural world educators. We help our members to connect people and plants in innovative and engaging ways, through online events, face to face training and networking events and our Annual Conference.

We are looking for a Treasurer who will bring enthusiasm, commitment, fresh perspectives and who will broaden the diversity of thinking on our Board. The successful candidate will combine professional financial knowledge and experience with a deep commitment to supporting our mission in this vital non-executive role.

As our new Treasurer trustee, you will play an active role within the Bgen Board and provide leadership on its financial health, ensuring robust processes, accurate records and sound-decision making with transparency and accountability.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the dynamic Board and support our work to empower plant and environmental education and engagement professionals across the UK.

Availability and commitment

 As a Board member you will need to be able to attend up to six board meetings per year (held online) and the Annual General Meeting, organised in January – February each year. You will also spend around 2 -3 days per quarter in between meetings, to prepare the quarterly accounts, provide advice and coordinate payments, with support from the Bgen Coordinator and Bgen Bookkeeper. Days may vary throughout the year, depending on activity.

On October 7th, we are hosting a Bgen Board Strategy Away Day at Birmingham Botanical Gardens and your attendance would be extremely helpful.

This position would be for a period of three years minimum (term can be renewed after this time).

Citizens Advice Barnet’s twin aims are to help people in our community resolve the problems they face and campaign to change the policies and practices which affect their lives. As a Research and Campaigns Volunteer, you will enable us to achieve the second aim, using the experience of the people we help to influence lasting change that makes a real difference to our community.

Duties include

• Supporting the Research and Campaigns Lead to identify opportunities to improve local policies and practices that affect people we help.
• Gathering evidence to support local and national campaigns.
• Undertaking research to build a campaign.
• Writing monthly updates for local councillors on what we're seeing in their ward.
• Writing up reports to present your research and recommendations.
• Researching and writing reports to raise awareness of local problems.
• Representing Citizens Advice Barnet at external meetings to campaign for change.
• Working with the Communications team to raise awareness of Research & Campaigns work.

Person Specification

No previous experience is required; this role would suit you if you have an interest in social policy, or would simply like to make a difference in our local community, and have the following skills and attributes:

• IT skills, especially Word and Excel at a basic level (sort, filter, basic formulas), and willingness and ability to learn to use our CRM to run reports.
• Strong research skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Analytical skills.
• Ability to work on own initiative.
• Excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing, with the ability to write clearly and persuasively.

What you will be doing
The opportunity will be volunteering with the Volunteering Officer and People & Culture Manager carrying out administrative tasks that include data input in to systems, issuing letters and documents, responding to email enquiries, photocopying/scanning, filing, using Microsoft Office, Teams and SharePoint and the development of the volunteering programme at Suffolk Wildlife Trust including the recognition events and activities.

There are no set tasks or duties with the opportunity - you'll be getting involved with the day-to-day activities.

The skills you need
No experience is required other than able to use a computer and Microsoft Office.

What you'll get out of it
This opportunity may suit someone who is looking for a career in volunteering support or within HR, or someone with administrative experience looking to use their skills.

You can claim back out-of-pocket expenses.

The time you need to give
You can volunteer as much or as little as you wish. A regular volunteering day on a Tuesday would be ideal but we are open to different days and hours between Monday and Friday.

How to Apply
For more information about this opportunity and an informal discussion, please contact us.