Volunteer volunteer roles in Dakar

Could you help a troubled teenager thrive?

Are you the kind of person who feels helpless when you see negative news stories about young people, or perhaps when you watched the new Adolescence drama series about teenagers and the pressures they face from social media?

The fact that you care when you see or hear these things and feel the need to help could mean that you would make a perfect volunteer mentor for a young person struggling with life as a teenager. 

At Hope After Harm our New Leaf Young Peoples’ project offers a lifeline to vulnerable young people in the Thames Valley Area through our trained volunteers who offer support and guidance when they need it.

All we ask of you is your time. Just commit to one or two hours a week to meet the young person at their school for up to 16 weeks, and to be available to them by telephone at hours agreed between you and them. 

MID CHESHIRE FOODBANK

HEALTH AND SAFETY LEAD/VOLUNTEER – Role description

 1. Background:

Established in 2012, Mid Cheshire Foodbank (MCFB) is part of the Trussell Trust’s UK network of over 1400 Foodbanks, which provide food to people in crisis in their local areas.

2. Our Purpose:

MCFB exists to provide relief to individuals and families in crisis in Mid Cheshire and surrounding areas, through the provision of a sustainable food bank and associated activities.

3.  Role summary:

 To lead on health and safety practice and compliance for Mid Cheshire Foodbank (MCFB).

4. Responsible to:

 MCFB Warehouse Manager.

5. Responsibilities:

List of duties:

1. Regularly review activities and practice within the Warehouse/FDCs to ensure compliance with the Health and Safety Policy. Inform the Warehouse Manager of any issues requiring attention

2. Ensure volunteers regularly receive Health and Safety updates.

3. Identify specific information/training needs for volunteers

4. Undertake annual Risk Assessments in all premises being used by the foodbank, liaising as appropriate with representatives of buildings used

5. Ensure all volunteers know the process for reporting accidents and regularly review the way the process is used. Report issues of concern to Warehouse Manager.

6. Review working practices and ensure safe working practices are developed where necessary.

7. Ensure all appropriate volunteers have received manual handling training and are familiar with ladder use requirements.

8. Put in place, and maintain, appropriate fire safety measures.

9. Review fire safety in all premises being used by the foodbank.

10. Provide information and ensure all volunteers have received training on fire safety measures.

6. Next Steps:

If you want to apply please go to the Mid Cheshire Foodbank website to obtain an application form and complete and return to MCFB as indicated on the form

Childline Volunteer Counsellor- Someone who wants to make a difference to children’s lives by being there to listen when they feel they have no one else to turn to. As a Childline counsellor, you’ll be there for young people and listen to them as they open up about whatever is worrying them, whether it’s bullying, abuse, self-harm or family relationships – you’ll be there to support them.

What you’ll do

You’ll volunteer in our Leeds Childline base, offering counselling support to children and young people over the phone or through our 1-2-1 online chat. Your supervisor will help you develop and evaluate your counselling skills. After your initial training, you will be able to help young people as well as identify when a child or young person may be at risk, but don’t worry a supervisor will be on hand to give you plenty of support.

What you’ll get

You’ll receive training sessions over 12 weeks to prepare you for the role. When you start your regular shifts, a supervisor will be around all times to support you. Every shift includes a briefing and debriefing alongside other volunteers. Supervisors will also give you regular one-to-one support and group supervisions.

What we’ll need from you

Signing up to be a Childline counsellor is a big commitment and requires lots of training so, we do ask people to stay in the role for a minimum of one year.

We’ll also need to do some routine safeguarding checks, including an enhanced criminal record check and at least two satisfactory references with at least one covering a period of five years or more with no gaps. It’s nothing to worry about, and we can answer any questions you have about this.

Who’s right for the role?

While we think this role is suitable for a whole range of people, we are particularly looking for those with the following qualities and experience.

• Passionate about helping young people and children
• Great communication skills
• Empathetic and perceptive
• able to think on your feet
• works well within a team
• emotional resilience

Why volunteer with us?

Not only will you gain valuable experience throughout your volunteering journey, you’ll also have access to useful resources including a catalogue of online training, discount portal and NSPCC inMind – an online mindfulness resource.

You’ll be fully supported throughout your volunteer journey with us and will have a dedicated key contact should you have any questions along the way.

We are looking for new volunteers to join the Meet Me team to support Meet Me at the Albany in person and remote activities.

What is Meet Me at the Albany?

In 2013 Entelechy Arts and the Albany, in partnership with Lewisham Council, established Meet Me at the Albany – an arts and social club for over 65s. Meet Me… is led by a vibrant and diverse community of previously isolated older people, who come together weekly to run a cross-art form social and creative programme to make friends, be creative, advocate for themselves, and contribute to the vibrant cultural life of Lewisham.

On Tuesdays we get together at the Albany theatre in Deptford, and get involved with everything from singing to painting, from crafting to gardening. During the COVID pandemic we took our groups onto the telephone, and seeing the massive benefits these groups brought we have continued with our Meet Me on the Telephone programme. Find more detailed information further down this page!

Who we are looking for?

Our volunteers play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of our weekly and monthly sessions. These roles are perfect for people who enjoy meeting new people, engaging in conversations, and trying new things. They’re also ideal for those who like to listen and provide support based on individual needs and interests.

Skills and experience:

Personable and Friendly: We need volunteers who are approachable and easy to talk to.

Strong Listening Skills: Essential for connecting with our members and ensuring their safety.

Experience with Older Adults: While prior experience working with older people or supporting their creativity is beneficial, it’s not required—just an interest in doing so.

Adaptable and Flexible: Activities may change, so volunteers should be open to adjusting their approach as needed.

Creative Sharing (Optional): Some volunteers enjoy sharing their creativity with our members, but this is not a requirement.

We’re also looking for volunteers who are interested in helping out with marketing and social media, so if that sounds like your cup of tea, get in touch! It would be great if you also have experience of working with people living with dementia.

What’s next?

Get in touch for an initial chat. We will then invite you to complete a registration form and book you on to our next available training session. Training will cover safeguarding, setting boundaries and explore the programme. It is a chance to work through possible scenarios and ensure you feel confident to join us for one of the in person or over the phone sessions.

Want to make a difference without breaking a sweat? Join our incredible team of Cheer Team Volunteers and help support runners taking on the Brighton Half Marathon to raise money for Alzheimer's Society.

You'll be part of a high energy, feel-good atmosphere, giving our runners the boost they need with your cheers, claps, and encouragement.

By joining us, you’re helping us fulfil our mission: to give help to those living with dementia today and provide hope for the future.

What’s involved:

· Stand at a designated cheer point on the race route

· Clap, shout, wave flags and motivate runners

· Work alongside a friendly, supportive team

What you’ll get:

· A fun and rewarding experience

· Branded t-shirt

· A chance to make a real impact in just a few hours

No previous experience is needed just bring your energy, your voice, and your enthusiasm!

Ready to join our Cheer Squad? Sign up today and help us celebrate every step toward a dementia-free future.

Service

Amy’s Place is a partnership between the Amy Winehouse Foundation and Clarion Housing Group providing supported living accommodation for young women in recovery and receiving support with drug and alcohol issues.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, reliable and compassionate volunteer with good interpersonal skills and a desire to teach guitar, who will support young women to develop their guitar skills and positively encourage their creative expression.

Location

East London.

Commitment

This is a flexible opportunity and volunteering times and frequency will vary depending on your availability and the needs of service users.  It might be every week or fortnight, 3 to 4 hours, ideally for a minimum of 3 months.

DBS

This role requires us to carry out a check through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Activities

• Providing guitar lessons to residents, as well as supporting their individual musical goals.
• Developing and delivering individual session plans and documented session outcomes in order to assist each resident’s personal growth.

Support

• Volunteers receive a thorough induction and have access to any relevant in-house and external training.
• Volunteers have a named supervisor providing day-to-day support and encouragement.

Could you help to raise vital funds for SSAFA in your local area? You don’t need a military background, just the ability to get on with all kinds of people and some occasional free time.

What is a Branch Fundraiser?

As part of a local team, our fundraisers represent SSAFA at events, and in public. The role includes helping at fayres, street collections, concerts, quizzes, raffles, sporting events etc.

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.

SSAFA branches rely on regular charitable income to fund all the necessities behind our support for clients. This includes volunteer travel expenses, phone bills, publicity, and grants for clients in urgent need. A varied programme of fundraising also keeps the SSAFA profile high in the local community, so everyone knows who we are and how we can help.

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

This role involves being out and about at public events and would suit someone looking to give the occasional day, half day or evening to support SSAFA; when and where would be flexible to suit you.

What would you be doing?

• Be part of a team with collection/buckets tins at events, supermarkets, shopping centres, etc.
• Acting as a marshal at a public event e.g., handing out water to runners, supervising parking etc.
• Being part of a team running a stall at an event, Armed Forces Day, fayre, county show etc.
• Helping with putting up posters, building gazebos, serving refreshments, packing/unpacking cars etc.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA, engaging people of all backgrounds and interests
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA including observing our policies such as the Volunteering policy and data protection policy (these will be covered in your training and local induction.)

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

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Give tangible and practical support to your local branch by raising funds used directly to support clients.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training and skills 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?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role - fundraising workshops.
• 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.
• Access to a range of e-learning courses, fundraising guidance, and marketing materials
• Local Fundraising Coordinator
• Fundraising Manager (per region)
• Access to the Fundraising and Marketing teams based at our central office.
• 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
• Confident people who feel happy to engage with the public, potential clients, volunteers and SSAFA colleagues face-to-face.
• Reliable attitude, staying connected the Fundraising Coordinator about your availability.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and keep information safely.
• Access to public transport or a car to get to events.
•  

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

Minimum Age: 16

Please note: If you are under 18 you are not allowed by law to volunteer at a street collection, raffle or an event serving alcohol. If you are under 16, please contact us, you will need to volunteer with a parent or adult responsible for your safety.

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

Victory Afghanistan is a volunteer-led nonprofit providing free online education, mentoring, and university preparation for Afghan girls and women who have been banned from attending school or university since 2021. We currently support more than 800 students aged 11–40 through English lessons and mentorship, helping them prepare for higher education opportunities abroad.

We are now seeking volunteer Duolingo English Test (DET) Tutors to join our mentoring programme for 20 weeks, from the third week of January 2026 to the third week of May 2026.

You will be working with highly motivated young women whose English is already excellent, most have Duolingo scores around 110, and our goal is to help them reach 125+ in preparation for university applications and scholarships abroad.

Commitment: 1–2 hours per week (online)
Programme duration: 16 weeks
Start date: Third week of January 2026
End date: Third week of May 2026

Your time will directly help young women prepare for higher education in September 2026, opening the door to their futures.

-Please note that the vacancy will close automatically if we reach out the maximum number of applications for this round of recruitment. 

Childline is a vital service, available 365 days a year to support children and young people, whatever their worry or concern.

In 2020 we set up our virtual Childline base to support children and young people by answering their e mail contacts. Home-based Childline email counsellors respond to emails from young people who have got in touch with something that's worrying them, whether it's bullying, abuse, self-harm or family relationships. 

Please Note - Please note this advert will close when we have sufficient applications to fill our training groups. 

You'll need a laptop or PC with a Microsoft Windows 10/11 or Apple MacOS (version 12 or above) operating system, with speakers, a USB port for a headset and a webcam along with a mobile phone. Note: a tablet, smart phone/tv and Chromebooks are not suitable. You will need a minimum broadband upload speed of 5MB and minimum download speed of 10MB. Internet connection via a dongle is not suitable for home working on Childline shifts. You'll also need a private, confidential space for shifts.

If you are interested in volunteering for the virtual Childline base and want to find out more about home-based e mail counsellor role, the next step is to attend a Volunteer Information Meeting, which is a fantastic opportunity to:

Meet with staff as well as volunteers to ask any questions you may have
Learn more about the application process and your volunteer journey

Our meetings are designed to help you decide whether you want to apply – there's no obligation or expectation that you'll apply if you attend one. At the meeting, you'll also receive information on other ways you can become a supporter of the NSPCC.

To book a place at one of our online Volunteer Information Meetings, please click 'Join Us' to register your interest.

Please Note: You must be over the age of 16 to apply for this role.

Our Shop Volunteers raise money for the people we support with a Learning Disability. Do you have a few hours a week to spare and share your time with us?

Our retail roles are varied and fun. You could be sorting donations from the public, dressing our window or serving customers on the till. There are many people from different walks of life and it's a great way to get practical experience and to meet new people.

This role will take place on a weekly basis for a few hours We will try our best to be flexible around the best time for you, but also need to consider the store opening times and volunteer rota. It could be a weekday or weekend, morning or afternoon, our stores are usually open 7 days a week. We’d appreciate any time that you can spare.

Whilst in the store, you will help with activities based on the needs of the Store Manager.

 Tasks you could get up to whilst volunteering could include:

• Serving customers on the till
• Taking stock donations from the public
• Tagging and steaming stock for the shop floor
• Dressing the window displays
• Asking people to join us as a volunteer

As a Retail Volunteer you will be:

• Friendly and Approachable
• Reliable, Kind and Patient
• A good communicator (including listener)
• Willing to volunteer within guidelines and to take direction where necessary
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself

As a Mencap volunteer you will:

• Make new friends and raise important funds for people with a learning disability
• Get reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in line with our policy e.g. travel
• Receive full Training and support
• Volunteer alongside other people
• Have a chance to give back your local community

About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us

Regional Officers oversee chapters within a certain region. They provide support and guidance to the Presidents (and the rest of committee if needed) including advice and signposting as needed. They can also provide hands on support if requested. They should encourage chapters to collaborate including the sharing of resources, socials, fundraisers, training and events.

Volunteer your time by supporting to create positive and inspiring environment for people in crisis to live in and take part in activities and receive support.

At Hestia we have a PIPEs programme, which focuses on expanding our ‘Psychological Informed Physical Environments’ approach across our accommodation-based services. This approach centres the needs and choices of the people who use our services, believing that their contribution creates a conducive environment which supports recovery. Ensuring that our indoor and outdoor spaces at Hestia are PIPE through design, supports people to feel physical and emotional safety, to support them to rebuild their life beyond crisis and allows us to consider the needs of different groups people we work with at Hestia.

What you will be doing

• The setting layout is meaningful for different groups and for the desired interaction
• It is a looked after, organised, tidy, a comfortable and positive space for all to use
• There are spaces to speak in confidence with staff, but all other spaces are shared with everyone who visits the space
• An atmosphere is created that is conducive to health and wellbeing
• To inspect the environment and assess whether it meets a set criteria
• To provide written or verbal feedback on review of the visit
• To take part in review and training sessions, to support continuous development of the PIPE programme
• This role is open to volunteers and people who use our services and would like to volunteer their time. We are also looking for volunteers to also support people who would like to get involved in this role but feel less confident finding the Hestia locations. As part of the role, you may be asked to meet another volunteer at a certain location such as a train station and accompany them to the service

The skills you need

• Good communication skills; written and verbal
• An interest in interior design or designing warm, friendly and welcoming spaces
• Calm and patient approach
• Understanding of confidentiality

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 - Valuing You - We hold annual Volunteer Awards, outings, celebration, and social events for our volunteers to get together and have some fun; We reimburse travel expenses and up to £5 for lunch for your volunteering.

Do you enjoy organising things and making this happen?

Are you able to volunteer a few hours a week?

Yes? We’d love to hear from you.

We’re looking for admin volunteers to help with our daily operations.  We have a variety of ways you can get involved:

• Responding to client requests and enquiries
• Fundrasing and partnership management
• Managing and updating company databases
• Keeping track of partnership enquiries
• Maintaining internal, volunteer, and client records
• Drafting and mailing client correspondence and newsletters
• Organising events, scheduling meetings, and making travel arrangements
• Providing administrative support to other departments or projects as needed
• Performing other duties as agreed in advance

We’ve designed our volunteering programme to be flexible and adaptive to you.  All volunteering is 100% remote and you’re supported fully by our team.  You control what you do and how many hours per week you want to volunteer.  Some roles may require an Enhanced DBS check. If your application is successful, we will ask for a donation towards the cost of your enhanced DBS check if it's required for your role. This cost is £20.60.

Here’s some further information on what’s needed:

Are you over 18 and living in the UK?

You must be over the 18 years of age and live permanently in the UK.  You must be a UK resident to apply for this role.

Do you have a laptop?

A laptop and a quiet space to volunteer is essential.

How much time can you give?

A minimum of 2 hours per week is required. We are flexible and like to work around you.

Training

We provide accredited training with 3 short courses needing to be completed prior starting your volunteer role.  After, you’ll have access to over 90 accredited courses should you want to study further.

Sorting Volunteer  -   Acorns Children's Hospice Knowle

As part of our network of shops across the West Midlands, the Knowle store helps us generate vital funds to support children and their families. By volunteering in our store, you’ll play a key role in this mission while sharing your passion.

Step into a dynamic and exciting environment where no two days are the same!

The Role
We are looking for friendly, reliable volunteers to join our sorting area team. You’ll be helping us process generous donations from our local community, ensuring items are prepared and ready to sell in our shops.

What you’ll do:

• Sort through donated items such as clothing, toys, books, and homeware
• Check the quality and suitability of donations
• Prepare items for display in our shops
• Work as part of a supportive, welcoming team

How much time will it take?

Our shops are open Monday to Saturday (some open on Sundays too) 9am to 5pm.  You can volunteer the hours that suit you, but it would be great if you could support in the shop for at least 3 hours a week.

Why volunteer at Acorns? 

• To help a local charity
• To make a difference in your local community
• To connect with like minded people and make new friends
• Boost your CV
• Opportunities to progress to other roles
• All training will be provided

Am I right for the job?

For this role, you'll need to:

• Be welcoming and friendly
• Have a good eye for merchandising
• Be a team player that thinks of others
• Be sensitive to the needs of our customers/donators