Volunteer volunteer roles in City of london, england

Volunteer / Student Counsellor Placement

Organisation: OPTION180 Ltd
Contract Type: Student Placement (Voluntary)
Hours: Part-time, Term Time Only (Approx. 3 hours per day)
Location: School-based settings
Expenses: Lunch provided + travel expenses covered (up to 3 miles)

About OPTION180 Ltd

At OPTION180, we value our people and the dedication, compassion, and expertise they bring to our service.

Working with us means making a real difference every day, supporting children, young people, and families to recover from trauma and build brighter futures.

We are a specialist social care and family support service offering therapeutic interventions alongside comprehensive family assessment and support. Our work addresses the complex challenges families may face, including:

• Parental substance misuse
• Mental health difficulties
• Domestic abuse

Our mission is simple yet powerful: to empower families not just to survive, but to thrive despite adversity.

As a growing organisation with plans for national expansion, we are seeking passionate trainees and qualified clinicians who are willing to volunteer their time to gain valuable, hands-on experience with our client groups.

Counselling Placement Opportunities

We offer enriching placement opportunities for trainee Counsellors and Play Therapists looking to develop their clinical skills in real-world settings.

You will work therapeutically with:

• Children and young people
• School staff
• Parents and carers

across primary and secondary education settings.

Within a safe and supportive environment, you will use a combination of:

• Talking therapies
• Creative and play-based approaches

to help young people explore and manage challenges such as:

• Anxiety and stress
• Low mood
• Relationship difficulties
• Emotional and behavioural concerns

What We Offer

• Safeguarding training
• Specialist training in working with children and young people
• Clinical hours that contribute towards accreditation
• Weekly (half-day) placement during term time
• Ongoing supervision and professional support
• Exposure to wider family support and assessment services

Essential Requirements

Applicants must:

• Hold student membership with BACP, NCPS, or an equivalent professional body
• Be currently enrolled in a Therapeutic Course
• Must have their own Enhanced DBS check

Please note:

• This is a voluntary placement and not a salaried role

To enjoy this role you will need good communication skills, friendly & supportive with commitment to confidentiality. Confident using the telephone and sending emails, with basic IT skills for record keeping.

Are you looking to get involved in the local community or perhaps have an interest in mental health?

We are looking for a volunteer to facilitate a Men’s group in a local cafe. The group provides a safe, welcoming place for people to meet, share experiences and support each other’s growth whilst connecting over board games.

What you will be doing

• Meet service users in a local Cafe every Thursday from 11-12pm to play board games and facilitate discussions
• Create a supportive environment for men to connect, share experiences, and empower each other
• To negotiate/facilitate conflicts or disagreements that may arise during group meetings.

The skills you need

• Ability to create and maintain a safe environment where participants’ thoughts and feelings are valued, and group members are treated with fairness, equity and respect
• Experience of facilitating groups.
• Strong listening and communication skills

What's in it for you

• Supporting You - You will have a dedicated volunteer supervisor to support you in your role; Quarterly volunteer forums with the central Volunteering team and volunteers across Hestia; References for job applications
• Developing You - You will gain knowledge and insight into issues that impact Domestic Abuse, Modern Slavery and Mental Health; You will have access to our extensive Learning and Development Programme; 40% of our departed volunteers secured a paid role at Hestia last year!
• Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards and Celebration events; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering; We hold social events and outings for our volunteers to get together and have some fun

Cards for Bravery is a charity dedicated to improving the emotional wellbeing of hospitalised, seriously ill and chronically ill children and young people across the UK. We provide a range of services including the distribution of items such as handmade cards, activity packs, care packages and other initiatives designed to bring comfort, connection and support during difficult times.

As we continue to grow, we're looking for an enthusiastic and proactive Community Outreach Volunteer to help build meaningful relationships and partnerships with businesses, schools, community groups and other organisations.

This role is ideal for someone who enjoys connecting with people and building relationships. Working closely with the Founder and the wider team, you'll help raise awareness of Cards for Bravery, develop new and existing partnerships and inspire communities across the UK to support our mission.

A DBS Check will be required for this role, completed by the charity.

Candidates must hold a relevant laptop/tablet or other IT device to complete this role.

Any relevant expenses will be reimbursed.

An ideal match:

• Someone who is friendly and confident

• Someone with great communication and relationship building skills.

• Someone who is confident working independently while also collaborating with a remote team.

• Someone who is passionate about making a difference to children and young people.

• Someone who enjoys networking and spotting opportunities.

• Basic computer skills - such as email and spreadsheets

• Experience in fundraising, partnerships, or community engagement is desirable but not essential.

The role will include activities such as:

• Researching and building relationships with businesses, schools, universities and community groups.

• Identifying and developing opportunities for fundraising, sponsorship, donations and corporate volunteering.

• Encouraging organisations to support the charity through partnerships, fundraising and volunteering.

• Promoting Cards for Bravery within local communities to help raise awareness of our work and mission.

• Supporting applications for Charity of the Year partnerships and other community partnership opportunities.

• Maintaining records of partnerships and helping track opportunities and communications.

• Working alongside the charity to develop new ideas for community engagement and long term partnerships.

Benefits:

• Flexible volunteering that fits around your existing commitments.

• Gain valuable experience in community engagement, partnership development, networking and the charity sector.

• We are committed to being flexible and inclusive, particularly for volunteers who are chronically ill, disabled or have other circumstances that may require adjustments.

• Join a friendly, supportive and passionate team making a real difference to children and families across the UK.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer for Cards for Bravery! It is a unique and fun way to make a difference. 

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted within the next few weeks with further information on informal interviews.

This fundraising role is enjoyable, very varied and could involve tasks such as:

· Helping out on a stall for a few hours at a fair.

· Raising awareness of HOLG at corporate/commercial partner events.

· Helping out on one of our social fundraisers such as quiz nights, theatre nights, concerts etc.

· Running a raffle or tombola.

· Being an ambassador to raise awareness to the work of HOLG.

· Prepare, set up and take down for events (including gazebos, etc).

The list is not exhaustive and will often depend on what fundraising opportunities we have through the year!

We are also keen to establish a team of helpers to identify locations and distribute and manage our collections boxes at restaurants, shops, pubs, leisure centres – indeed, anywhere that would be willing to host!

This role is working therapeutically alongside a child/young person on one of our bereavement support programmes in a group setting.  Ideally you will have experience in working with children.

You will be working therapeutically with your allocated child.  You will have a group leader who will guide you through the structure of each day. There is also a program manager who will oversee and facilitate the whole weekend program.

You will also be expected to attend a debrief at the end of the weekend and also complete detailed documentation on the child/ young person you have been working with.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided during a weekend.  We will pay 45 pence per mile to cover your travel expenses. We will provide training (Safeguarding Children, Volunteer Induction Day and other specialist training days).

You will also have the opportunity to observe a weekend programme in action before you work with a child / young person. We will pay for your DBS check and provide you with a t-shirt with our logo on.

Join FARA, a charity with over 30 years of experience and 39 charity shops across London. Our FARA Fulham shop is looking for a creative and enthusiastic Social Media Instagram Volunteer to help us keep our Instagram content fresh, engaging, and up to date.

By volunteering with us, you’ll directly support our mission, help promote reuse through donation and recycling, and contribute to a positive experience for our customers and online community.

The Role:

As a volunteer, your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Creating Instagram content, including posts and stories
• Capturing photos and videos that highlight our activities, updates, and events
• Showcasing donation appeals in a clear and appealing way
• Helping maintain a consistent and on-brand social media presence
• Monitoring basic engagement (likes, comments, and shares)
• Greeting and assisting customers when required

The Volunteer:

We’re looking for someone who:

• Knowledge of using Instagram and current social media trends
• Is creative, visually focused, and confident taking photos or short videos
• Is friendly, approachable, enthusiastic, and able to communicate our mission online
• Is reliable and able to work as part of a team
• Has experience in social media content creation is a bonus, but not essential

What’s in it for You?

At FARA, our shops are run by welcoming and collaborative teams. You’ll gain hands-on experience in social media content creation while working alongside supportive colleagues. Full training is provided, and we offer a positive, inclusive, and safe volunteering environment.

Your Time:

Our shop operates from 10:00 to 18:00, and we’re looking for someone who can volunteer for a minimum of 4 hours either in the morning or afternoon, whenever you are available in arrangement with the shop manager.

FARA is committed to creating an inclusive environment. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

Admin Volunteer

Hours: 2-5 hours per week, flexible

We are looking for a friendly, organised, and dependable volunteer to support our services in Basingstoke with administration activities for 2-3 hours a week, based in our Abingdon office. This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who enjoys administration, working with data, and supporting charities.

About Us 

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK.

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.

 What will I be helping with?

• General office administration and administrative support
• Supporting the wider team with ad hoc administrative tasks such as shredding, scanning and archiving documents
• Maintaining database records in line with data protection requirements
• Collecting & inputting data 
• Answering the phone and taking phone messages

Skills needed

· Friendly, professional & adaptable to take on all admin tasks

• To be comfortable using Microsoft Office software
• Comfortable working with databases and willing to learn new systems
• Great organisational skills and an eye for detail
• Reliable, trustworthy, and able to maintain confidentiality in line with data protection
•  

Benefits to the volunteer

· Being part of a friendly supportive and welcoming team

· Comprehensive training & ongoing support for volunteers

· This is a fantastic opportunity to give something positive back to society and have a direct impact on people’s lives. 

• The chance to develop new skills, build on your CV & gain confidence in a friendly work environment

· Volunteers can claim travel expenses

Volunteer Role: Gardening Volunteer

Hours: Flexible as agreed

Do you enjoy being outdoors, getting your hands dirty, and helping things grow? Join Seeability as a Gardening Volunteer and support people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss to enjoy gardening, nature, and time outdoors.

Whether you’re green-fingered or simply enjoy a bit of fresh air and teamwork, this is a fun and rewarding way to make a real difference.

What You Will Be Doing

As a Gardening Volunteer, you will support people we support to enjoy gardening activities and outdoor spaces. This could include:

• Planting flowers, herbs, fruits, and vegetables
• Watering plants and helping keep gardens tidy
• Supporting people to enjoy sensory gardening activities
• Sharing conversation, laughter, and time outdoors
• Encouraging creativity, confidence, and independence
• Helping create welcoming and enjoyable garden spaces

You do not need to be a gardening expert — just enthusiastic, patient, and happy to get involved.

The Difference You Will Make

Gardening can improve wellbeing, reduce stress, build confidence, and create opportunities for social connection.

Your support could help someone:

• Feel calm and relaxed outdoors
• Build confidence and learn new skills
• Enjoy sensory experiences and nature
• Feel included and connected
• Take pride in growing and caring for plants

Sometimes, planting a seed together can grow much more than flowers — it can grow confidence, friendship, and joy.

Skills Required

We are looking for volunteers who are:

• Friendly, patient, and reliable
• Empathic, understanding, and encouraging
• Enthusiastic about gardening or being outdoors
• Positive and supportive
• Comfortable supporting people with learning disabilities, autism, and sight loss

No previous experience is needed — just kindness, patience, and a willingness to have fun and get stuck in.

Requirements

• Complete a DBS check
• Provide references
• Complete online training provided by SeeAbility

We will support you throughout the process.

The Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering with SeeAbility is rewarding, flexible, and enjoyable. Benefits include:

• Gaining valuable experience and new skills
• Meeting new people and becoming part of a supportive team
• Spending time outdoors and staying active
• Making a genuine difference in someone’s life
• Building confidence and communication skills
• Receiving training and ongoing support

Become a Fundraisng Team Leader Volunter!

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising team leaders have the exciting and varied role of inspiring our fundraising volunteers to plan and deliver local fundraising events. Using their passion and imagination, they oversee a small team of fundraising volunteers who come together to raise the vital funds needed to cover costs such as veterinary bills and food. Our fundraising team leaders support their team of volunteers in all aspects of their roles, making sure our volunteers are happy, confident and supported.

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
• cover 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

You'll be:

• supporting and encouraging a team of fundraising volunteers
• planning fundraising events and activities with your team
• allocating tasks before and during fundraising events
• keeping financial records from fundraising events
• encouraging and promoting a professional image of Cats Protection
• following policies and guidelines and ensuring licences and permits are obtained for events

Time expectation

Our fundraising team leaders usually spend three to four hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

You may be just the volunteer we've been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

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.

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? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.

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.