Volunteer roles in east of england

Barefoot and Free is a grassroots charity that supports families of neurodivergent children and children affected by trauma. We offer fully funded staycations and nature-based respite breaks for families and parent carers who are often at breaking point.

We’re a small, warm team not a large wealthy organisation and we care deeply about what we do. There are no airs and graces here, just real people doing our best to help families who need a break. Right now, we need someone with the skills and experience to help us bring in more funding to meet the growing need.

We’re looking for someone experienced and independent.
This is not a start out training opportunity. You’ll be working alongside an existing bid writer and need to come in ready to get stuck in with little to no guidance, it will test your resiliance and give you some amazing challenges. We’re looking for someone who knows how to write strong, successful bids and is comfortable finding opportunities, matching them to our projects, and managing the process from start to finish, we are giving you alot of exciting responsibility so if you wish to progress and move to the next step and meet some personal goals this is for you. 

What are we looking for?

• Solid experience writing successful funding bids, ideally in the charity or non-profit sector

• Someone self-motivated, confident, and able to work without close supervision

• A clear communicator who can work independently and enjoy networking.

• Someone who genuinely cares about the work we do and wants to help us keep doing it

• Meet funding dealines and reporting deadlines

• Help along with our team to maintain the funding database and outcomes

What difference will you make?

By securing funding through successful bids, you will be supporting Barefoot and Free towards building a more sustainable and resilient organisation. Your input will be instrumental in establishing long-term sustainability, ensuring that our vulnerable families are supported over time. Families are often stretched to the limit with carer roles, supporting vulnerable children and young people without breaks or respite, by securing suitable funding you will be supporting them and the long-term sustainability of the organisation's efforts with the ultimate goal of profoundly improving the quality of life for our families.

We rely entirely on grants and donations. Every successful bid helps keep the doors open for families who often have nowhere else to turn.

Perks of volunteering with us:

• Flexibility to work around your life, take the lead on bids from start to finish

• Join a genuinely warm, down-to-earth team where your input is truly valued and felt

• Be part of something that directly supports struggling families in a very real way

• A rewarding role where your skills will have a direct and lasting impact

• Achieve some personal goals and a chance to build your portfolio with meaningful, purpose-driven work

If you’re looking to be part of something real, something with heart, and you’ve got the experience to make a difference, we’d love to hear from you today.

Community Engagement Volunteer

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that 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

· Organising and attending awareness and fundraising events within the community

· Identifying new fundraising and awareness opportunities

· Helping at events

· Delivering presentations to community groups, schools, etc through

· SSAFA’s speaker programme

· Event administration

· Social media marketing

The skills you need

· Friendly and approachable

· Happy to help

· Basic IT skills would be an advantage

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.

Community Engagement Volunteer

Why we want you

As a community engagement volunteer you and your fellow branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that 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

· Organising and attending awareness and fundraising events within the community

· Identifying new fundraising and awareness opportunities

· Helping at events

· Delivering presentations to community groups, schools, etc through

· SSAFA’s speaker programme

· Event administration

· Social media marketing

The skills you need

· Friendly and approachable

· Happy to help

· Basic IT skills would be an advantage

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.

Why we want you

As branch chair you and your branch members will create a range of activities 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

· Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising activities so that potential beneficiaries, volunteers and supporters are aware of SSAFA as first in mind for support.

· Building relationships with the regional and national SSAFA team, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA serving community teams, local military establishments, etc.

· Attending events as a key SSAFA representative.

· Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office

· Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.

· Working with other volunteers, regional and national team members to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.

· Work closely with the community engagement co-ordinator to recruit, welcome, induct, support, and manage volunteers in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.

The skills you need

· Motivating leadership with an ability lead a team of volunteers.

· Friendly and approachable

· Great written and verbal communication skills

· Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

· Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area.

· Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community.

· 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.

Why we want you

As branch chair you and your branch members will create a range of activities 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

· Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising activities so that potential beneficiaries, volunteers and supporters are aware of SSAFA as first in mind for support.

· Building relationships with the regional and national SSAFA team, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA serving community teams, local military establishments, etc.

· Attending events as a key SSAFA representative.

· Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office

· Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.

· Working with other volunteers, regional and national team members to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.

· Work closely with the community engagement co-ordinator to recruit, welcome, induct, support, and manage volunteers in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.

The skills you need

· Motivating leadership with an ability lead a team of volunteers.

· Friendly and approachable

· Great written and verbal communication skills

· Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

· Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area.

· Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community.

· 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.

��‍�� React Native Developer Volunteer – Join the Movement Behind MVP 2

Unify Giving is on a mission to change everything about giving — how it’s done, how it’s received, and how it’s perceived.

We’re building a world where people experiencing homelessness can receive digital donations with dignity, transparency, and choice — and we’re already live on the App Store. But now, we’re taking it further.

�� MVP 2 is here.
We’ve added powerful new features to give both donors and recipients the best possible experience — and we need your help to bring it to life.

✨ What you’ll do:

• Join our small but mighty team to help build and release MVP 2 of our React Native app.

• Collaborate with our designers, product leads, and community team to improve UX across the board.

• Work on meaningful features that directly impact people experiencing homelessness.

�� What we’re looking for:

• Experience in React Native, with solid understanding of mobile app dev (iOS & Android).]

• A belief that tech can be used for real, tangible good in the world.

�� Why it matters:

This isn’t just another side project. Unify Giving is already being used by real people across the UK. Your code could help someone access food, warmth, or support when they need it most.

�� What you’ll get:

• A chance to work on a live tech-for-good product.

• Your name in the credits (yes, we mean it).

• Weekly team check-ins, support from our founder, and full creative input.

• A front-row seat to building something that genuinely helps people — and is scaling fast.

ANIMAL FOSTERER

RSPCA ESSEX SOUTH, SOUTHEND AND DISTRICT

We are looking for animal-loving volunteers to play a vital role in helping us improve the well-being of our furry friends whilst they wait to be rehomed. Can you help them by providing a calm and caring home whilst we find their perfect furever home?

We are seeking caring and dedicated foster caregivers to join our small team and help us support the dogs and cats in our care.

As a foster, you would be supporting your local RSPCA branch in providing our animals with the safety of your home whilst tending to their welfare needs. In addition to this, by providing a temporary loving environment, you will play a crucial role in an animal’s wellbeing and socialisation, which will significantly improve their chances of successful rehoming.

Once everything is in place, the animal centre will guide you through the fostering process and ensure that you have all the necessary equipment, food, and veterinary care for your foster. The RSPCA is also happy to reimburse any other pre-agreed expenses that you may incur through volunteering for us.

Whilst our animals are in your foster care, you will:

•   Provide them with care, suitable housing, and a safe environment as per our policies and guidelines.
•  Feed, water, and groom them in line with our advice.
•  Transport them to any veterinary appointments if required.
•  Provide them with your time and patience.
•  Help us spread the word about the animals in your care so they might find their forever home quicker.
•  Playing and cuddling are also a must!                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                     
What we are looking for in a volunteer:

•  Volunteers aged 18 or over who have had plenty of experience caring for animals.
•  For their well-being, the whole family should be on board with fostering an animal.
•  Any existing pets or animals need to have been spayed/neutered (some medical reasons may mean they can’t be so, please let us know if this is the case).
•  Experienced caring for dogs or cats - the animals in our care have different needs, some are ready for rehoming, others may require rehabilitation or have ongoing health issues.
•  For dogs, you will need direct access to a private, secure garden for house training and off-leash playtime
•  For cats, you will need a spare room/secure, separate space for them
•  Plenty of time to spend with the dog/cat
•  Any existing pets need to be spayed/neutered
• Own car to transport the animal to veterinary appointments as required

 What we can offer you as a volunteer Fosterer

• You will be making a massive difference to the welfare of the animals in your care.
•  Join a community which will enable you to meet new people and make new friends.
•  Learning new skills through our comprehensive induction and fostering training programme.
•  Enhance your CV by adding your volunteering experience and newly acquired skills.

Ideally, foster volunteers should live within our branch’s district (postcodes SS0–SS12). We ask for a minimum commitment of three months to ensure the animals receive the love and stability they need.
                                                                                                                                                                                                     
It is worth mentioning that our animals do have different needs as whilst some are ready for rehoming others may require rehabilitation or ongoing medication. Therefore, we also aim to understand your situation and circumstances to ensure that we match you with your perfect foster animal.

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.

St Giles Trust is seeking passionate, committed individuals to join us as a Trustee on our Board of Trustees. As we continue to grow and evolve, we are looking for trustees who bring fresh perspectives, lived experience, and specialist expertise to help guide our strategic direction and strengthen our governance.

About Us

St Giles Trust is an award winning, national charity working to empower people facing adversity. We believe in second chances, equity, and the power of lived experience. Our work spans criminal justice, poverty, exploitation, and violence—supporting people to build better futures.

Who We’re Looking For

We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Human Resources / Organisational Development

• Senior Organisational Leadership

• Criminal Justice System

• Poverty, Exploitation & Violence

• Lived Experience

We welcome applications from people of the global majority (Black, Brown, Multi-heritage), those who identify as disabled, neurodiverse, or who face social barriers. We value the empowering impact of diverse thought and lived experience.

What You’ll Do

As a trustee, you will:

• Attend quarterly board meetings and contribute to strategic decision-making.

• Champion our mission and values.

• Provide insight and challenge to help us grow sustainably and inclusively.

• Support our visibility and credibility with funders and stakeholders.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 9.00am, Monday 29 September 2025

• Interviews: Week commencing 13 October 2025

• Meet the Executive Team: Week commencing 20 October 2025

How to Apply

Please send a covering letter (max 1 page) and CV (max 3 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements via the apply button. For full information see our Trustee Information Pack attached. 

We are looking for a Growth Coordinator to support organisational growth and strategisation. If you think you have any of the skills, interests or experience to support us in this role, please feel free to apply!

Spero is a UK-born, newly formed, youth-led, non-profit global storytelling platform dedicated to sharing diverse perspectives from around the world. We're creating a place for people to look beyond their own borders and to learn and connect with the real lives and experiences of others everywhere. 

Our aim is to foster understanding and connection in an increasingly polarised world by sharing authentic stories, building empathy, and encouraging thoughtful dialogue. Part of our mission is to humanise global issues, making them more engaging and accessible - especially for young people who often feel disconnected from traditional news and politics.

We’re looking for motivated people with the passion, time, and curiosity to join our team. Our volunteer roles are a chance to gain meaningful experience, contribute to an impactful mission, and grow your skills in a supportive, creative environment. 

Spero is entirely volunteer-run, so these positions are unpaid and remote. But in return, you’ll gain hands-on experience in project management, communications, research, teamwork, creative production, and problem solving all while helping us build something that matters.

Application Deadline: Wednesday 17th September 23:59 BST

All volunteers should have:

• Interest in global issues and diverse perspectives.
• Ability to be proactive, work both independently and collaboratively, and manage time effectively.

Additional Requirements:

• Networking and outreach
• Engagement with a range of stakeholders
• Fundraising research and writing
• Measuring and reporting the impact of work
• Maintaining financial records
• Project management
• Writing and maintaining policies or governance documents

What you need to know:

• Roles are part-time, flexible, and designed to fit around other elements of your life
• We are asking for a commitment of about 5-8 hours per week for a minimum of 3 months (but hopefully long-term if you enjoy our work)
• Our team meets on Mondays, 7:30–9:00 pm BST (attendance at most meetings is important, so make sure timing works if you’re international).
• Expected start date Monday 29th of September
• As a coordinator you will provide flexible support to your area of work as well as across the organisation. You will get the chance to take on an area or project with direct ownership and responsibilities.

If you’re passionate about global issues, creativity, and working in a dynamic team, we’d love to hear from you!

Job Overview

The Abundant Woman is seeking an organised and driven Project Manager to oversee the planning, execution, and completion of various initiatives aligned with our mission to support and empower women. This role will coordinate multiple projects, including community programs, events, and health initiatives, ensuring that they are delivered on time and within scope. The ideal candidate will have strong project management skills, a passion for our mission, and experience in coordinating with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

 •  Plan, manage, and execute projects from inception through completion, ensuring they align with organisational goals and timelines.

 •  Coordinate cross-functional teams, resources, and third-party vendors to ensure smooth project delivery.

 •  Develop project plans, set deadlines, track milestones, and monitor progress.

 •  Manage project budgets, resources, and reporting, ensuring that projects stay within budget and meet objectives.

 •  Communicate regularly with stakeholders, providing updates, addressing concerns, and collecting feedback for improvement.

Key Skills and Qualifications

 •  Proven experience in project management, ideally within a nonprofit or social enterprise setting.

 •  Strong organisational and problem-solving skills; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

 •  Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to engage with stakeholders and team members.

 •  Proficiency with project management tools such as Asana, Trello, or Microsoft Project.

 •  Knowledge of budgeting and resource allocation is a plus.

We are looking for a Production Coordinator to provide technical production support. If you think you have any of the skills, interests or experience to support us in this role, please feel free to apply!

Spero is a UK-born, newly formed, youth-led, non-profit global storytelling platform dedicated to sharing diverse perspectives from around the world. We're creating a place for people to look beyond their own borders and to learn and connect with the real lives and experiences of others everywhere. 

Our aim is to foster understanding and connection in an increasingly polarised world by sharing authentic stories, building empathy, and encouraging thoughtful dialogue. Part of our mission is to humanise global issues, making them more engaging and accessible - especially for young people who often feel disconnected from traditional news and politics.

We’re looking for motivated people with the passion, time, and curiosity to join our team. Our volunteer roles are a chance to gain meaningful experience, contribute to an impactful mission, and grow your skills in a supportive, creative environment. 

Spero is entirely volunteer-run, so these positions are unpaid and remote. But in return, you’ll gain hands-on experience in project management, communications, research, teamwork, creative production, and problem solving all while helping us build something that matters.

Application Deadline: Wednesday 17th September 23:59 BST

All volunteers should have:

• Interest in global issues and diverse perspectives.
• Ability to be proactive, work both independently and collaboratively, and manage time effectively.

Additional Requirements:

• Website design and management (use of WordPress experience preferably)
• Knowledge of WordPress themes, plugins, and backend updates
• Coding knowledge (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Provision of general tech support
• Website hosting knowledge
• Podcast editing and production
• Audio and video editing

What you need to know:

• Roles are part-time, flexible, and designed to fit around other elements of your life
• We are asking for a commitment of about 5-8 hours per week for a minimum of 3 months (but hopefully long-term if you enjoy our work)
• Our team meets on Mondays, 7:30–9:00 pm BST (attendance at most meetings is important, so make sure timing works if you’re international).
• Expected start date Monday 29th of September
• As a coordinator you will provide flexible support to your area of work as well as across the organisation. You will get the chance to take on an area or project with direct ownership and responsibilities.

If you’re passionate about global issues, creativity, and working in a dynamic team, we’d love to hear from you!

We are looking for a Social Media Coordinator to support audience growth and reach. If you think you have any of the skills, interests or experience to support us in this role, please feel free to apply!

Spero is a UK-born, newly formed, youth-led, non-profit global storytelling platform dedicated to sharing diverse perspectives from around the world. We're creating a place for people to look beyond their own borders and to learn and connect with the real lives and experiences of others everywhere. 

Our aim is to foster understanding and connection in an increasingly polarised world by sharing authentic stories, building empathy, and encouraging thoughtful dialogue. Part of our mission is to humanise global issues, making them more engaging and accessible - especially for young people who often feel disconnected from traditional news and politics.

We’re looking for motivated people with the passion, time, and curiosity to join our team. Our volunteer roles are a chance to gain meaningful experience, contribute to an impactful mission, and grow your skills in a supportive, creative environment. 

Spero is entirely volunteer-run, so these positions are unpaid and remote. But in return, you’ll gain hands-on experience in project management, communications, research, teamwork, creative production, and problem solving all while helping us build something that matters.

Application Deadline: Wednesday 17th September 23:59 BST

All volunteers should have:

• Interest in global issues and diverse perspectives.
• Ability to be proactive, work both independently and collaboratively, and manage time effectively.

Additional Requirements:​

• Experience in social media management and content creation with Canva (or similar design tools)
• Copywriting for Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc
• Graphic design
• Understanding of maintaining branding and visual identity
• Video media creation and editing
• Designing and executing social media strategy
• Conducting market research
• Measuring, tracking and interpreting analytics

What you need to know:

• Roles are part-time, flexible, and designed to fit around other elements of your life
• We are asking for a commitment of about 5-8 hours per week for a minimum of 3 months (but hopefully long-term if you enjoy our work)
• Our team meets on Mondays, 7:30–9:00 pm BST (attendance at most meetings is important, so make sure timing works if you’re international).
• Expected start date Monday 29th of September
• As a coordinator you will provide flexible support to your area of work as well as across the organisation. You will get the chance to take on an area or project with direct ownership and responsibilities.

If you’re passionate about global issues, creativity, and working in a dynamic team, we’d love to hear from you!

Level the Playing Field in Development (LPFDev)

Level the Playing Field in Development (LPFDev) is a volunteer-led community challenging harmful narratives and practices in the global development sector through a decolonial lens. By addressing entrenched colonial structures, LPFDev advocates for equity, anti-racism, and decolonisation approaches that move beyond theory into practical solutions. The initiative fosters collective intentionality within the development community, creating safe spaces for open, candid dialogue while promoting more inclusive and just practices. Volunteers are welcomed with openness and creativity, encouraged to contribute their skills, learn collaboratively, and help reshape development into a field rooted in fairness, dignity, and shared global responsibility.

Content Creators (Writers, Videographers, Photographers, Graphic Designers)

Beyond Aid Narratives an initiative created by Level the Playing Field in Development (LPFDev) to shift traditional aid narratives about Africa. The mission of the initiative is to highlight African excellence, innovation, and cultural richness by amplifying authentic African voices and stories rooted in local agency, changing the way the global development sector views Africa and, to ultimately shape programming, communications and fundraising. We foster education and reshape perceptions through compelling storytelling and vibrant visual content.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver engaging content aligned with Beyond Aid Narratives’ pillars
• Produce authentic first-person stories, photo essays, videos, and Reels
• Collaborate with the LPFDev team to maintain consistency with posting schedules, brand style, and community engagement strategies
• Contribute innovative ideas and help grow an engaged audience interested in genuine African narratives

Specific Roles:

1) Writers/Storytellers: Create narrative and educational content, scripts for video storytelling, and compelling social media captions centered on African perspectives

2) Videographers/Editors: Capture and edit dynamic videos for Reels, IGTV, and Stories emphasising real African experiences and achievements

3) Photographers: Provide striking images for galleries, photo essays, and posts highlighting Africa’s beauty and diversity

4) Graphic Designers: Design visually appealing infographics, carousel posts, and educational visuals that simplify complex topics and engage the audience

Skills & Qualifications:

• Strong passion for African development, culture, and positive representation aligned with LPFDev’s vision
• Proven skills and experience in your creative discipline (writing, video, photography, design)
• Ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and collaborate remotely with a diverse team
• Familiarity with Instagram and social media best practices is an advantage
• Commitment to authenticity, respect for African narratives, and cultural sensitivity

What You Will Gain:

• Enrich your portfolio with published work on an impactful storytelling platform backed by LPFDev
• Collaborate with a network of creatives dedicated to inspiring change and educating worldwide audiences about Africa
• Opportunity to contribute meaningfully to a development initiative focused on shifting perceptions and empowering African voices

Minimum Hours per Week

4-6 hours per week

Duration

3-5 months

The built and natural environment have profound impacts on the health and wellbeing of people and the environment. We believe therefore that our work is more important than ever.

To help support and inform that work we have a Policy Council, which we are looking to broaden the skills and range of perspectives on.

You do not need to be an expert in town planning – it is more important that you believe in the importance of the work we do. But, to help strengthen the range of expertise and perspectives on the Policy Council we are particularly interested in people with relevant experience in, or policy knowledge of, one or more of the following areas:

• Healthy place-making
• Planning law and parliamentary processes
• Affordable housing
• Economic development, investment and/or viability
• Heritage
• Energy efficiency, building design and retrofit

Inclusion is a core value of our organisation and we are passionate about promoting diversity and representation in our Association. We positively encourage applications regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identification, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.

To find out more about the TCPA and how to express your interest in these roles please see the recruitment pack and visit our website.