Volunteer volunteer roles in Cumbria or North west

Wheels for All aims to promote inclusive cycling through a range of successful community engagement programmes that give people the opportunity to cycle on a regular basis. Our Volunteers bring our cycling programmes to life, they make sure everyone feels included, they inspire others, they increase confidence, they maintain bikes and make sure that cycling is accessible to everyone.

From meeting/greeting participants, leading elements of the activity, providing encouragement, helping to move equipment to/from storage, and assisting to check working order of cycles, your support will make a huge difference to our participants and carers who attend our inclusive cycling sessions. Training is provided to all volunteers, with other opportunities to attend and participate in external training where relevant.

As a valued Wheels for All volunteer you will:

• Make a difference to the lives of disabled people
• Meet new people
• Make new friends and join social activities
• Connect with your community through supporting a local project
• Develop your skills at our sessions and relevant training courses
• Reap mental health and wellbeing benefits of helping others
• Build experience for references
• Receive a lot of appreciation from our participants and carers! 
• Be able to claim reasonable expenses in line with our Volunteer Expense Policy
• Receive Wheels for All branded uniform 
• Access the volunteer Wheels for All training 
• Enjoy the amazing Charities culture 

What are we looking for?

• Approachable and friendly nature
• Great interpersonal and communication skills
• Empathy and understanding of how people can react differently to certain situations or triggers
• Patience and an inclusive approach to engagement
• Adaptable and flexible to changing circumstances
• Effective as part of a team
• Positive attitude
• Honesty and integrity
• Excellent organisational skills and initiative
• Some cycling experience (although not essential)

Volunteers aged 18 or under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and all volunteers must be happy to undertake a DBS check and collect references. 

Fundraising events helper

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

As a charity we can continue to help cats and kittens in need thanks to the donations we receive at fundraising events from generous members of the public. Our fundraising event helpers have the exciting and varied role of helping at local fundraising events - such as cakes sales, barn dances, quiz nights – and everything in between!

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:

· help set up and/or man stalls at events

· help on collection days like supermarket collections events or street collections

· help at fundraising events such as quiz nights, cake sales and dances

· promoting a professional image of Cats Protection at events

Time expectation

This role is really flexible! You could choose to volunteer at one event for a couple of hours or attend multiple fundraising events.

We’ll keep you up to date with upcoming local events where volunteers are needed. You’ll then be able to choose which events you’d like to volunteer at and how many hours you’d like to give. However much time you can give, your contribution will help raise much needed funds to continue the work of Cats Protection.

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.

We are looking for up to ten UK university students to join our volunteer Student Ambassadors team and help Ygam achieve its social purpose by reaching out to students at university. This will be achieved by advising Ygam on the needs of students, supporting with content development, organising activities at your campus, and join us at events to raise awareness of gaming and gambling harms.

We are seeking individuals who are outgoing, with a confident personality. You will enjoy engaging with other students and be able to advise us on the experiences of students with regards to gaming and gambling. 

Lead Volunteer

Mind Retail

About the role

Without the help and support we receive from our Lead Volunteers and volunteer teams we wouldn’t be successful at what we do. Our Lead Volunteers play a key role by supporting the shop management team with the day to day running and management of our shops - helping us to raise crucial funds from the sale of pre-loved, donated stock to fund Mind's vital mental health support services.

Our shops are vibrant hubs in local communities across England and Wales. In our Lead Volunteer role, you’ll play a key part in building this community, helping to create a culture where every person is valued and supported - and where people have fun!

You can gain a wide variety of knowledge, skills and experience by becoming one of our valued Lead Volunteers, including:

· Experience working as part of, and leading, a diverse team

· Shop management, retail management and key holder experience

· Opportunities to improve your management, leadership and interpersonal skills

· Stock organisation, processing, pricing and merchandising skills

· Cash handling skills, including management cash functions

· Understanding of sales information, including takings

· Commercial knowledge and skills

· Understanding of policies and procedures

· Administrative skills

· IT skills

· Additional learning and development opportunities, including your own eLearning account with access to personal and professional development courses

Our Lead Volunteer roles are also flexible, so they're perfect for fitting in around your commitments. We value any time that you can give us, so whether it’s a few hours a week or a few days – we’d love to hear from you!

We need great people like you to help us in the fight for mental health. Will you join us?

Click on the role profile to find out more about our Lead Volunteer role and read on to hear some stories from our existing Lead Volunteers!

About You

• Commitment to our values & behaviours
• Enthusiastic and committed to achieving shop targets
• Flexible and adaptable approach
• Ability to work as a team and on your own initiative
• Able to build good working relationships
• Ability to work within Mind Retail’s policies and procedures
• Willingness to learn
• Good customer service skills
• Good communication skills

About Mind Retail

Mind Retail are a network of almost 200 shops across England and Wales, generating a net income of around £21 million per year. We have ambitious plans to grow over the next few years and we're going to be fighting for mental health in a way we never have before. We won't stop until everyone with a mental health problem gets the support and respect they deserve.

Safer Recruitment at Mind Retail

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our employees and volunteers and we expect anyone working or volunteering with us to share this commitment. This role may involve the supervision of young volunteers who are under 18. Because of this, the minimum age for this role is 18 and under our Safer Recruitment Policy, you’ll also be required to agree to an enhanced DBS check.

Our Commitment

We embrace the different perspectives that each of us bring. We want our staff and volunteers to be authentic and bring their whole selves to work. We want Mind to be a workplace that truly reflects the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the people we support. Where everyone is appreciated – regardless of race, gender, age, religion, identity and experience.

Hear from some of our existing Lead Volunteers…

Stuart, Lead Volunteer at our North Shields Mind Shop

Why did you want to become a Lead Volunteer?

I chose to volunteer at Mind, specifically because of the cause – I support the charity in what they want to achieve. Mind also supported me through the lockdown period during the pandemic, which I found very isolating.

I’ve volunteered for Mind for 20 years - I started volunteering for Mind in 2005. At the time, I had a full-time job, but I wanted to try volunteering. I’ve volunteered in a number of Mind shops, including Wallsend, Whitley Bay, Gateshead (which was where I became a Lead Volunteer) and finally, North Shields.

I wanted to become a Lead Volunteer to gain more experience, which I can then pass onto others. I now undertake key holder duties in my current shop. It was a little scary to begin with, but there was plenty of support from the wider region and I feel really proud to now be doing the role.

What knowledge and skills have you gained or developed whilst being in the Lead Volunteer role?

I’ve developed my technology skills – I’ve learnt how to use the till, how to use the computer including emails and Microsoft Teams, how to complete eLearning and the new Gift Aid hub. I struggled a bit before with technology, so it’s really helped me to be exposed to it more. I’ve also developed cash handling skills and how to deal with external contractors. My confidence has really grown and I’m also now able to cover local stores too!

What do you enjoy most about being a Lead Volunteer?

I really enjoy giving amazing customer service and working with the team of staff and volunteers – we have lots of fun whilst we work! The shop has a great atmosphere. My Shop Manager has said she couldn’t do without me! I would really recommend for anyone to come and volunteer with Mind – it’s a great way to meet new people.

Lead Volunteer at our Turnham Green Mind Shop

Why did you want to become a Lead Volunteer?

I wanted to become a Lead Volunteer because I wanted to take on more responsibilities and keep myself as productive as possible. By taking on more responsibilities, I’m able to support the wider team with certain activities within the shop. It’s also helped me become less focused on my myself and my own problems. I suffer from low self-esteem and felt that by becoming a Lead Volunteer, it would help strengthen my self-worth.

What knowledge and skills have you gained or developed whilst being in the Lead Volunteer role?

As I have never worked in retail, becoming a Lead Volunteer has given me more insight into how the retail industry and how Mind Retail operates day-to-day. I have become more patient and not as isolated as before. My communication skills have improved too.

What do you enjoy most about being a Lead Volunteer?

Certain customers are confiding in me about their mental health. I find it great to be able to assist and provide some support. We all just need an ear to listen…

It’s also great to be able to make decisions too. The team I work with at the shop are very supportive and understanding – they look after me and I feel like a belong to a small family. The team really understand that our shops are not just shops! They’re a place where everyone, including those with mental health problems, can feel safe and listened to.

The purpose of the role is to design and facilitate gardening activities at our community allotment with refugees and people seeking asylum, alongside our other gardening volunteers.

The role includes:

• planning and facilitating seasonal gardening activities with small groups
• supporting participants to bring their own ideas, work independently or lead their own activities where appropriate, providing support and guidance as needed
• fostering a positive culture of support and community
• raising any safeguarding or support concerns with our People Support Team
• setting up/packing down around sessions, generally contributing to the smooth running of sessions
• maintaining tools
• contributing to overall running of the charity (attending monthly online meetings, taking on organisational tasks)
• maintaining participant confidentiality
• attending training sessions as needed

At the garden we run gardening, art and craft activities. Through these sessions we maintain our beautiful community garden, grow and harvest vegetable/fruit crops and create wildlife and social areas. We always try to make sure there are a range of activities to choose from to fit with a range of energy/ability levels. All new ideas for activities to do at the garden are welcome!

Our sessions are on Tuesday mornings and afternoons and Friday mornings

Gardening expertise is not necessary for this role, although it is always very welcome.

As this is an on site role we will consider applicant who are based in Greater Manchester,UK. 

Organisation: Manchester Young Lives
Locations: MYL Adventure Playgrounds (Wythenshawe, Moss Side, and Ardwick)
Time Commitment: Minimum one evening per week (3hrs)
Reporting to: Play and Youth Manager
Main contact: children, young people, staff/volunteers, parents/carers, partner agencies

We have several volunteering opportunities across our programmes.

• Play sessions: 4pm and 6pm (ages 6 to 13 years)
• Youth sessions: 6:30pm–8:30pm (ages 11 to 18 years
• Holiday playschemes: 12pm to 4pm (school holidays)

About the Charity

Manchester Young Lives is a charitable organisation dedicated to supporting children and young people aged 6–18years to develop confidence, wellbeing, and positive life skills. We provide safe, inclusive spaces where children and young people can play, learn, socialise, volunteer, grow and learn life skills through the power of play and youth work approaches.

Main purpose of the role

The Volunteer Play and Youth Worker will work both indoors and outdoors as a part of the team to support the delivery of play-based and youth activities for children and young people aged 6 to 18 years. Working alongside staff and other volunteers, the role helps create a safe, engaging, and supportive environment that promotes fun, learning, social and personal development.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the preparation and running of play and youth sessions to provide a varied, safe and stimulating environment in both indoor and outdoor settings.
• Help create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all participants
• Build positive, age-appropriate relationships with children and young people
• Encourage participation, teamwork, creativity, and positive behaviour
• Support children and young people with a wide range of needs, abilities, and backgrounds
• Assist with setting up, organising, and tidying activity spaces and equipment
• Work collaboratively with staff and volunteers to ensure sessions run smoothly
• Adhere to MYL policies and procedures in particular safeguarding, Health and safety, confidentiality, equality, diversity and inclusion.

Skills and Experience

 Essential

• A genuine interest in working with children and young people aged 6–18 years
• Friendly, reliable, and approachable
• Ability to work well as part of a team
• Good communication and listening skills

Desirable

• Experience working with children or young people (voluntary or paid)
• Understanding of play work, youth work, or community-based work
• Creative, sporting, or practical skills to support activities
• Basic awareness of safeguarding and child protection

Personal Qualities

• Enthusiastic and positive
• Patient, caring, and supportive
• Respectful of diversity and inclusion
• Willing to learn and follow guidance

Training and Support

• Full induction into the charity and its services
• Volunteer training programme provided
• Ongoing support and supervision

What You’ll Gain

• Opportunities to develop skills and gain experience in play and youth work
• Work experience and training opportunities
• Hands-on experience working with children and young people
• The opportunity to make a real difference in young people’s lives
• A volunteer reference after an agreed period (usually 6 months)

Manchester Young Lives is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The highest priority is given to following guidance and regulations to safeguard children and young people.

Volunteers are required to undergo safer recruitment checks including an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

***Please note that this is an opportunity based in Nottingham in the United Kingdom and we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

What is the purpose of this role?

To support people aged 18+ in the community by leading a series of guided walks around open spaces in Nottingham city (and Nottinghamshire).

Walk Leaders can make a difference by creating safe, enjoyable, and accessible walking opportunities that enhance health, wellbeing, and social connection.

What impact does this role have?

Provides accessible, guided health walks across Nottingham’s parks and open spaces. The walks encourage a healthy lifestyle by combining exercise with opportunities to socialise, helping people stay active, build friendships, and explore their local community.

What activities might you be involved in?

· Offering a friendly welcome to all walkers, especially those joining for the first time

· Providing a short briefing before the walk to ensure all participants are prepared

· Making sure the walk is safe and accessible for participants on the day of the walk

· Taking the lead in walks and ensuring they are safe, friendly and enjoyable and well managed

· Addressing and resolving issues that arise during walks, following guidance from your Line Manager, and promptly reporting any incidents or concerns to them.

· Providing information about other Age UK Notts services and other walks offered by the scheme, and basic information about how to keep active

· Ensuring all required paperwork is properly completed

· Attending occasional walk leaders’ meetings, one-to-one meetings and relevant training

What are we looking for?

Ø  A genuine interest in the wellbeing of people and community engagement

Ø  Friendly, welcoming and empowering with good communication skills

Ø  Knowledgeable about the basics of the benefits of walking and physical activity

Ø  Reliable, punctual, honest and well-organised

Ø  Able to volunteer independently but with guidance and support

Ø  Confident at speaking in front of small groups

Ø  Able to take control and be assertive when needed

Ø  Ability to complete basic paperwork punctually and accurately

Ø  Willing to observe and learn from an experienced leader before taking on independent leadership

When would you be needed to volunteer?

The role can be flexible around your availability. Most volunteers lead walks weekly or monthly, with walks lasting 20–60 minutes. These may be starter/easy walks or wellbeing-focused walks. At times, we may request your support to provide cover at short notice if required.

 While we are looking to expand, our current walks in the New Year will take place on Monday mornings at the Arboretum, Wednesday mornings at Highfields Park/Lakeside and Thursday mornings in Sneinton.

What training will you be given?

You will be given all the training you need to enable you to carry out your role. This will include a one-day Ramblers Wellbeing Walks, Walk Leader Course, risk assessment guidance and a thorough departmental induction to provide you with further information about your role. 

What can you gain from this opportunity?

· The chance to make a difference to a person’s life

· Ongoing support, ensuring your volunteering experience is a fulfilling and positive one

· A comprehensive training programme including the opportunity for further training (e.g. First Aid)

· The opportunity to learn new skills

· Experience to add to your CV

· The opportunity to meet new people and make new friends

· Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses as defined in the Age UK Notts Volunteer Handbook

Additional Information

Please note a Basic DBS (Disclosure and Barring check) is required for this role which will be undertaken by the Charity at no cost to the volunteer, after being offered the role.

We are looking for volunteers who have availability to support our walks across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire 

We are looking for volunteers who can support a minimum of one walk per week, every week (time and days tbc)

***Please note that we don’t offer sponsorship or accept overseas applicants***

Be part of something exciting as Vault opens its doors to young people in Preston. We’re looking for friendly, positive volunteers to help us create a safe, fun and inclusive space where young people can belong, try new things and thrive.

As a Youth Work Volunteer, you’ll:

• Support youth sessions and activities (sports, arts, music, games, cooking, STEM and more)

• Help create a welcoming, supportive environment

• Build positive relationships with young people

• Encourage participation and confidence

• Assist with simple setup and tidy-up

• Uphold safeguarding, equality and inclusion (training provided)

We’ll match your role to your interests and comfort level, and you’ll have fun along the way.

The impact you’ll make:

• Help young people feel safe, confident and included

• Reduce isolation and boost wellbeing

• Support young people to reach their potential

You’ll be great for this role if you have:

• Good communication and listening skills

• Empathy, patience and respect for others

• The ability to engage with young people

• Reliability and a team mindset

(Experience with young people is helpful but not essential.)

Easy to get to

• <1 minute walk from Preston Bus Station

• <15 minutes walk from Preston Train Station

• Parking available at Preston Bus Station (RingGo)

If you’re passionate about supporting young people and want to make a real difference, we’d love you on the team.

Why we want you
As branch secretary you help coordinate a range of activities and a calendar of events to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

• Communication with branch volunteers
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office
• Co-ordinating a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc..

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Strong administration skills
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer
SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

The Widening Participation Officer tries to recruit, engage and support as many 16-18 year old volunteers as possible across all of our chapters, with particular focus on those that’d benefit the most from additional WP volunteers, often those
chapters doing the most events.

Due to the sizable scope of the role, the WP Subcommittee is there to help as needed. This is primarily through admin work. You should ensure that you have a suitable number of keen volunteers within the subcommittee that you can delegate tasks to, ensuring that they were well informed, supported and any tasks followed up. This is likely to involve plenty of messaging and occasional meetings.

A primary part of the role that you can delegate is to conceptualise and write the policy for managing 16-18 year old volunteers. This should have a focus on appropriate safeguarding and you can get input from the subcommittee and other Trustees/Officers but should include things like recruitment methods, required paperwork, risk assessments, management at events etc. These policies need to then be communicated effectively to committee and volunteers. 

There are several ways that WP volunteers should be recruited. Schools/6th Forms should be proactively reached out to and a long-term connection formed, ideally through a named person such as a head of year, head of medicine applications or career progression advisor. They can then pass the information on to their students using a range of methods ranging from email to sending a video to, if the local chapter is keen or a member of the subcommittee is nearby, an  in-person visit to an assembly or lunchtime/after-school training session.  

Efforts should be made to build relationships with National bodies that provide volunteering or work experience to 16-18 year olds such as In2MedSchool and Medic Mentor, working closely with them to advertise our volunteering to their
students. 

Once students are interested, they should be able to register as volunteers and attend an Introduction Training session. This can be a WP-specific session with particular focus on benefits and support for WP volunteers such as Duke of Edinburgh hours.

Once volunteers are involved, they should be supported through their time with us including email updates, check-ins, social media posts and training sessions around key times such as university applications.

Finally, of particular note, you should work with the Conference Officer to ensure that WP volunteers are supported in attending the Annual National Conference, in a safe way and have talks of interest to them.
 

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.

The Sign Language Officer oversees the teachers in running the BSL and Makaton teaching sessions once a week, ensuring volunteers engage in the sessions and thus utilise their skills at events. This involves building lesson plans, working to create engaging sessions and materials and helping to conduct teaching sessions.

Organisation: Make a Smile
Location: Remote - UK-based (with opportunities for occasional in-person involvement)
Commitment: Flexible, approx. 4–6 hours per week

About Make a Smile

At Make a Smile, we believe every volunteer should feel supported, valued, and empowered. Our volunteers are the heart of our charity, and we work hard to break down barriers so that everyone—no matter their background—can get involved and make a difference to children’s lives.

The Role

The Supporting Chapter Manager provides support to Chapter that are deemed to be struggling. They should assess chapters frequently to ensure they have a clear awareness of what a chapter requires support, in addition to input from other Trustees. They will then provide hands on support to the struggling chapters with focus on recruitment, events and costumes. 

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience in volunteer management and co-ordination.

• The chance to make a lasting impact in the areas needing the most support.

• Opportunities to develop leadership, communication, and management.

• The satisfaction of knowing you’re helping volunteers feel supported, engaged, and empowered.

Time Commitment

This role is flexible and can be done remotely. We ask for around 4–6 hours per week, though this may vary depending on activities or events.

We’re looking for an Assembly chair who is motivated by playing a leading role in maximising the potential of the whole CPRE community to strengthen its voice and activities for the benefit of the countryside.

The Assembly meets quarterly, usually mid-week, for about three hours. The meetings are held online. There’ll be preparation and liaising to undertake ahead of meetings, so we expect this role will require a time commitment of half a day a week, two to three days a month.

The chair of the Assembly is elected annually, can serve for a maximum of three years, and attends the trustee board meetings of the national CPRE charity

The Assembly meets quarterly, usually mid-week, for about three hours. The meetings are held online. There’ll be preparation and liaising to undertake ahead of meetings, so we expect this role will require a time commitment of half a day a week, two to three days a month.