Volunteer roles in lambeth

Are you looking for a fresh challenge that makes a positive difference to the lives of Young People throughout the UK?

At Childline we are actively recruiting new Volunteers. 

What will I be doing?

• Your shift will consist of 3hrs30mns counselling, sandwiched between a 15mns brief before your shift and a 30mns debrief post shift. This is to ensure that you can start and finish your shift with any support you require from your Practitioners.
• On shift you will take contacts from Young People who rely on the service that Childline offers. Childline is not there to solve problems, we are a listening service for Young People and in each contact your role is to engage the Young Person, explore their situation and to support them in deciding their next steps.
• The contacts you would take from Young People can come in 3 ways. Traditional phone call contacts, live chats via instant response typed messaging or less commonly via 'PIBS' which are essentially emails sent by Young People in the knowledge the response will not be 'live' and instant.

What impact will this have?

• Childline is a unique service, valued greatly by the Young People who contact us.
• It provides a safe place for Young People to talk confidentially to our Volunteer Counsellors, an option that many of them do not have elsewhere.
• Young People rely on us being there for them 24/7. In an average month, Childline London takes approx. 1,500 live chats, 900 voice calls and 300 PIBs.
• However, the demand for the service often outstrips the supply as Young People who desperately need our service cannot always get through.
• That is why we are actively recruiting new Volunteers to be able to meet the need of all Young People who are in distress and need the support that Childline provides.

Training

• Childline offers a full 12 week online training programme to new Volunteers. This consists of one 4 hour session per week.
• During the training, you will meet other Volunteers in your cohort and have access to your 2 dedicated Childline Trainers.
• As part of the training, you will also go in person to the London Base for observation and mentored shifts which give you a face to face insight into how the Counselling Room works.
• You will also have access to a dedicated Volunteer Engagement Lead to give you a London Base tour (optional) and generally be on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have - big or small, if they matter to you they matter because you are giving your time to volunteer and Childline wants to offer you every level of support.
• Once you pass through training and become a qualified Childline Volunteer Counsellor, the development opportunities do not stop there. You will have access to a multitude of mandatory and optional training courses that are accredited and 100% free to all Volunteers.

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

From elderly moggies to energic kittens, every day across the UK cats and kittens are in need of a temporary place to stay, and lots of love and TLC! We need more fosterers like you to provide a safe, temporary haven for cats and kittens and provide them with everything they need before they get their chance to land on their four paws and make a house a home.

You can expect us to 

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Ensure you have all you need in place to foster the cat(s) in your care, for example equipment and food
• Cover all your foster cats’ expenses and agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you 

• A stable, safe and compassionate environment in your home or in a purpose-built pen in your garden provided by us
• Enrich the cats’ experience in care including play, exercise and appropriate handling/interaction
• A willingness to complete some training in order to provide high standards of cat welfare
• Introduce cats to prospective adopters so they can find their forever home
• You can find out more about being a Fosterer on our website

Time expectation

Our volunteer fosterers usually spend around one and a half hours per day (around 10 to 13 hours per week) in this role, but this might vary depending on the number of cats or kittens in care.

Our partner is a UK based charity supporting a grassroots project in Moshi, Tanzania, that empowers children and young people with the skills and opportunities to prepare them for a future without poverty.

They are seeking a Treasurer to join their expanding UK Board of Trustees to maintain an overview of the organisation’s financial affairs, ensure that its plans are financially viable, and that proper fiscal records, policies and procedures are maintained.

Key responsibilities include overseeing, approving and presenting budgets, accounts and financial statements; ensuring that the financial resources of the organisation meet its present and future needs; and advising on the financial implications of the organisation's strategic plans.

The Board meets quarterly, currently on a Saturday, and the total estimated time commitment required is 4 hours per month.

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For more Trustee & Treasurer roles please visit the AfID website.

Seeking Trustees

Are you passionate about your local area, and keen to contribute your skills to help people in Barnet who are in need? We are delighted to invite applications to become a Trustee of Barnet Giving, Registered Charity Number 1188459. We are seeking a Chair, Treasurer and three other trustees.

After a successful start, where we funded and supported projects for people in need, we are now looking for new Trustees to lead the organisation in a period of development. Barnet Giving enables local people, communities, charities and businesses to give their time and skills in support of local causes. Are you a fundraiser, an investor, a collaborator, a people-person, or a community activist? If so, read on to find out how you can get involved!

Introduction

Barnet Giving is a place-based giving initiative in the London Borough of Barnet. It enables local people to give time, skills and money in support of local causes. We bring together individuals, communities, charities, businesses and statutory partners to contribute their time, skills and experiences to make things better for their neighbourhoods. We have a strong commitment to equity and diversity. Barnet Giving is a registered charity that has a partnership agreement with CB Plus, who provide staff and resources to help carry out our work. CB Plus is also a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.  

We are delighted to invite applications to join our Board of Trustees, to take Barnet Giving to its next stage of development, increasing investment and contributions, enabling us to fund and support local community projects, that reach people in need.

You can apply to be a Trustee, or the Chair or the Treasurer.

Pleasw download the role description for further information

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

If you would like to apply, please download and complete the application form from the site.

The closing date for submissions is 16 May 2025.

If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an interview and ask you to provide 2 references. All Trustees are expected to undertake a DBS check.

Calling All Wordsmiths – Volunteer as a Grant Writer for RideWise!

Do you have a knack for writing and a passion for making a difference? RideWise, a charity championing sustainable and accessible transport, is looking for volunteer grant writers to help secure vital funding for our projects. Our work helps connect our communities to the people and places that are important to them - and helps safeguard our environment.

Your skills could help us unlock new opportunities, support local communities, and drive real change. Whether you're experienced or just eager to learn, we’d love to have you on board.

Use your words to power our mission. Join RideWise as a volunteer grant writer today!

Do you have proven experience in the charity sector, preferably at senior level? Would you like to make a positive, impactful difference to the lives of our vulnerable clients by using your skills? 

What will you be doing?

We're looking for passionate and committed people to join our Board of Trustees! Ashford Place is a thriving forty-year old charity based in NW London, making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals. From one-on-one guidance to engaging group activities, we focus on building resilience and improving well-being in our community. As a trustee, you'll help guide our work and ensure we remain strong and sustainable, especially during these challenging times. It’s a chance to be part of something meaningful, shaping our future while helping us continue to provide vital support in London NW2.

What are we looking for?

• Proven experience in the charity sector, preferably at senior level.
• Commitment to, and an enthusiasm for, our mission and values.
• Skills in governance, finance, legal, fundraising, risk management, and/or advocacy.
• Understanding of trustee responsibilities, including financial oversight and strategic planning.
• Collaborative mindset and excellent communication skills.
• Solutions driven
• Available

What difference will you make?

As a valued member of our board, you will play a pivotal role in shaping our vision, steering our strategic direction, and driving the success of our mission. In an increasingly competitive charitable world, your expertise and leadership will be instrumental in ensuring we continue to meet the needs of our community.

As a local charity, a significant proportion of our funding is derived from partnerships with statutory organizations. We are seeking a trustee who can strengthen our engagement within this sector, increasing our meaningful connections and identifying opportunities to secure vital funding. Your efforts will enable us to sustain and expand our impact, ensuring we can continue delivering essential services to those who rely on our work.

Before you apply

Please contact us via Reach with any questions.

Our Linked Minds Befriending Project supports people who are socially isolated in Ealing and Hounslow due to a diagnosed mental health problem.

This is an opportunity to become a Befriender.

On successful completion of specialist mental health training, the Befriender is matched with someone suitable, by a Co-ordinator who then acts as a (non-clinical) supervisor for the befriending period, which is limited to a year. (Where applicable, this can count towards continuous professional development).

Befriender, client and supervisor make a plan together with a goal to work towards, and the Befriender makes a weekly 1-2 hour visit to the client's home, where they might stay in and chat over a cup of tea, go out for a walk together, visit a cafe or undertake a local activity. 

These visits make such a difference for the client, increasing their confidence and helping them explore and work towards getting a job, joining a club, meeting other people or whatever their goal may be.

The aim is that, by the end of the year, clients feel better about themselves, more valued, resilient, empowered, more linked to their community and better equipped for their journeys in recovery.

But volunteering with BEfriend not only enriches the lives of those who are isolated, it also offers immense personal rewards.

As a Befriender, you’ll get to know inspirational people with fascinating stories, develop new skills and be part of a supportive team that values compassion and connection.

Our core Befriending Project supports people who are socially isolated in Ealing and Hounslow. They may have a physical or sensory disability, or they may have mild dementia, and are sometimes housebound.

This is an opportunity to become a Befriender.

On successful completion of the training, Befrienders are matched with someone who lives close to them.

They make a weekly 1-2 hour visit to the client's home, where they might stay in and chat over a cup of tea or, where possible, go out for a walk together, visit a cafe or undertake a local activity.

These visits make such a difference for the client, but volunteering with BEfriend not only enriches the lives of those who are isolated, it also offers immense personal rewards.

As a Befriender, you’ll get to know inspirational people with fascinating stories, develop new skills and be part of a supportive team that values compassion and connection.

USPG is looking to appoint 3 Trustees (lay or ordained) committed to global mission within the Anglican Communion. At this time, we are seeking to appoint a qualified accountant and two trustees with significant regional knowledge (Caribbean/ Latin America, Middle East, East Asia or Africa) to serve from July 2025.

About You

In recruiting Trustees at this time, we are looking for individuals with the following skill sets and experience:

• Accountancy: A qualified accountant with current experience of scrutinising accounts of organisations of the scale of USPG (at least) is sought. The person appointed will become a member of USPG’s Finance & Audit Committee as well as contribute to the strategic discussions of the Trustee board.
• Global knowledge and understanding: A couple of trustees with significant regional knowledge, especially of the Caribbean/Latin America, but also of the Middle East, Asia or Africa. That understanding may come from working with the churches or from professional experience outside of the Church.

The role is not paid, but necessary expenses incurred for attending USPG meetings will be reimbursed.

About USPG

The United Society Partners in the Gospel, known widely as USPG, is the Anglican mission agency that partners churches across the Anglican Communion in rethinking mission, energising church and championing justice. Click here to find out more.

USPG is actively seeking a diverse board with a balance of gender, ethnicity and age.

The Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants currently has volunteering opportunities from late April/early May available for our online English lessons.

Aimed at a wide range of clients whose English spans the spectrum of absolute beginners to higher levels, we offer daily online classes where practising spoken English in small groups with volunteers is a core part of our schedule.

Future opportunities may be available to those wishing to run their own class, depending on experience. 

Please get in touch if you have teaching experience OR equivalent qualifications (e.g. CELTA/TEFL/ESOL) and would like to be a volunteer teacher in our online classes headed up by our English Language Coordinator. 

Please refer to the Job Description for more details on the role.

You will be subject to a DBS check for this role.

Background

Indigenous peoples and local communities are grappling with the constant threat of displacement from their lands in Tanzania. The Maasai communities in Tanzania's Loliondo and Ngorongoro regions are currently facing significant challenges, primarily due to government-led eviction efforts aimed at designating these areas for conservation and tourism purposes. The violations of human and land rights have left thousands of people vulnerable and in need of urgent assistance. These evictions not only disrupt the livelihoods of the affected populations but also undermine their cultural heritage and traditional ways of life. As these communities are forced from their ancestral lands, many lose access to vital resources such as grazing lands, water, and shelter, leading to severe socio-economic hardships. Not1More is working with a partner organisation, Traditional Ecosystems Survival Tanzania (TEST), in Tanzania to support their essential fundraising, advocacy and community development activities.  

Your Role

We are looking for a volunteer who can dedicate time to this role through to December 2025. You will be a part of a team that works directly with Tanzania’s indigenous Maasai, and help to make a difference in key areas such as protecting ecosystems, preserving Indigenous knowledge, community capacity building and advocating for Indigenous rights.

The main objective is to help TEST diversify and increase their funding sources. This will include connecting with other enthusiastic team members online to develop a fundraising strategy and implementation of a fundraising campaign, including identifying grant funding opportunities, assisting in the preparation and submission of grant funding proposals, and pursuing philanthropic and corporate partnership funding opportunities.

Desirable Skills and Experience

Ideally you are a compassionate, organised, and resilient individual with strong communication and relationship-building skills, along with a passion for the cause. A proactive, positive personality with a can-do attitude, would highly suit this role.

Previous experience with fundraising activities, preferably with an NGO is desirable but not necessary.

Mentoring

Support and mentoring to develop your skills will be available in this role as we aim to help you bring out our talents in this team.

Hours

As this is a volunteer role, time is flexible, but you would be expected to attend a bi-weekly check-in with someone from the Not1More team to ensure we are working in the same direction.

Spires, a South London homelessness charity, is seeking trustees to support its mission and growth.

About Spires

Spires is an award-winning charity that has been working with homeless and disadvantaged people in Streatham, South London, since 1990.  Working with some of the most isolated and vulnerable in our society, we support over 900 men and women every year.

Our vision and aim is to be the best support that we can in helping people move from lives of distress, isolation and insecurity to a future of greater stability and hope. The majority of our clients are homeless or have insecure accommodation, with many also facing complex issues such as long-term unemployment, problems with poor mental and physical health, addiction and substance abuse, or they may even be imprisoned by sex work.

What will you be doing?

Trustees at Spires are responsible for overseeing the charity’s strategic direction and ensuring its long-term sustainability. Key responsibilities include:

• Strategic oversight: Help shape and support Spires’ evolving strategy
• Legal and regulatory compliance: Ensure adherence to governing documents, charity law, and relevant regulations
• Financial oversight: Together as a board, approve annual budgets, monitor financial performance, and support the Treasurer in maintaining financial health
• Resource management: Ensure that the charity’s resources are used effectively to meet its mission
• Support and challenge: Engage actively in board meetings, offering advice, support, and constructive challenge
• Ambassadorship: Promote Spires within your networks, helping raise its profile and attract support for its mission
• Uphold best practices: Ensure high standards of governance, transparency, and accountability throughout the organisation

This role is mainly home-based

The board meets six times a year, with an estimated time commitment of around 4 hours per month.

Please request the candidate pack for more information.

What are we looking for?

We’re seeking trustees with the following attributes:

• Commitment to Spires and its mission
• Good, independent judgment and strategic vision
• Willingness to speak up and share your opinions
• Understanding of legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to duties as a trustee
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Creative thinking and problem-solving skills

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds but are particularly interested in those with experience in marketing, social media, fundraising, finance, governance, or legal compliance. Additionally, lived experience of homelessness or related challenges is highly valued, as we strive to ensure our board reflects the community we serve.

No prior trustee experience is required - just a willingness to contribute time, expertise, and fresh perspectives.

What Difference will you make?

By joining Spires as a trustee, you will directly influence the charity’s ability to support homeless and at-risk individuals. Your contributions can help shape policies, enhance fundraising efforts, and strengthen governance, ensuring Spires can continue providing life-changing services. Whether by improving financial oversight, increasing community engagement, or advocating for those in need, your involvement will play a vital role in improving lives and preventing homelessness in South London.

Trustee – Board of Trustees

We are looking for one person, who will join the other fourteen Trustees who make up the Board of Trustees for The Passage.

We would be particularly interested in someone with knowledge and experience of the creative industries to add to the wide range of skills and capabilities that the Board possesses.

Location: Westminster, London

Remuneration: This is an unpaid voluntary role, however reasonable expenses may be reimbursed

Time Commitment: Four board meetings per year (with each meeting lasting around two and a half hours). Plus, attendance of occasional events and meetings with key stakeholders

Report To: Chair of Board of Trustees

Closing Date: Rolling advert

Interview Date: TBC, held in London (SW1P).

About the role

Are you passionate about ending homelessness?

Trustees are responsible for giving direction to The Passage and ensuring it meets its objectives effectively.

They are concerned with the policy, strategy and monitoring of the organisation; day-to-day management is delegated to paid professional staff who report to the Board of Trustees.

Trustees are appointed initially for a period of 3 years and can be re-appointed for 2 further periods of 3 years, up to 9 years.

What you will be doing

Principle responsibilities:

The formal duties of the Board of Trustees collectively are to:

• Ensure that The Passage complies with its Memorandum and Articles of Association, charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations.
• Ensure that The Passage pursues its charitable objects as defined in its memorandum of
  association.
• Ensure The Passage applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its objects.
• Give clear strategic direction to the organisation, setting overall policy, defining goals, setting targets and evaluating performance against agreed targets.
• Safeguard the good name and the values of The Passage.
• Ensure the effective and efficient administration of The Passage.
• Ensure the financial stability of The Passage.
• Protect and manage the property of The Passage and to ensure the proper investment of its funds.
• Appoint the Chief Executive, monitor their performance and determine their remuneration.
• Act at all times in the best interests of The Passage, and declare any conflicts of interest.

In addition to the above statutory duties, all Trustees should use any specific knowledge or experience they have to help the Board of Trustees reach sound decisions. This will involve focusing on key issues and providing advice and guidance requested by the Board on issues and initiatives relevant to the area of Passage Housing Services work in which the Trustee has special expertise.

Expectations

In order to fulfill the role of Trustees effectively, all Trustees are expected to:

• Attend Board meetings, currently held quarterly.
• Attend and participate in the Board’s annual strategic planning day held on a weekday (usually off-site).
• Visit The Passage from time to time to build an awareness of the work and develop an understanding of the needs of the different teams.
• Occasionally attend functions on behalf of The Passage, liaise with other Trustees and the Senior Executive Team in between Board meetings.
• Read Board papers in advance of meetings and come prepared to discuss key points arising from those papers.
• Complete the trustee induction process.
• As part of the Board’s ongoing Development Process participate in a one-to-one annual review with the chairman.

Essential

• An understanding of and commitment to The Passage’s vision, mission and values, including stakeholder engagement and diversity.
• Empathy with the essential principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.
• The ability to think strategically and creatively, with an ability to anticipate issues and risks, and to identify opportunities.
• The ability to use good independent judgement and to challenge appropriately as a “critical friend”.
• The ability to work effectively as a member of a team in order to reach timely decisions. This includes being able to speak openly in discussion, whilst listening and respecting the views of others.
• Understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship.
• Willingness to devote the necessary time and effort to the role.
• The ability to act as an ambassador for the Passage, to champion its mission and promote its reputation and image, and to establish useful contacts.
• Experience in any range of skills needed to run and govern a housing association, including finance, supported housing, RSH expertise (non-exhaustive list).
• Legal expertise, especially in the areas of commercial property arrangements.
• Excellent networking with other members of relevant sectors, and influencing and communicating skills.
• Demonstrable success in a private, charitable or public sector organisation.

Desired

• Good understanding of charity and/or social housing sector.
• A good knowledge of relevant general legislation and statutory requirements, including charity law, employment law and/or health and safety law.
• Experience of successfully dealing with strategic issues and involvement in longer term planning.
• We believe that achieving long-lasting social impact starts with having our Board and Management Teams reflect the diverse community we serve. Enhancing Board diversity is essential to our core values as an organization. It not only makes us more effective and capable of making better decisions but is also crucial for the successful delivery of our mission.
  • We are therefore, actively encouraging applications from individuals who are Black or from minoritized ethnic backgrounds, disabled, LGBTQ+, and those with varying levels of educational attainment.
  • We particularly welcome applications from younger individuals aged 18 to 30 and are also keen to hear from candidates with a background or advanced knowledge in relevant fields.

SANE is a UK-wide mental health charity working to improve the quality of life of anyone affected by mental illness. It aims to raise awareness and understanding of all mental health conditions; fight to improve frontline mental health services for individuals and carers; provide support, information and guidance through its helpline, email and text support and Online Forum; and promote and host research into causes, treatments and therapies.

About the role:

We are now looking for people interested in providing compassionate support to those affected by mental health problems, particularly people with severe mental illness, and carers, families and friends. As a volunteer, you will provide support on-site, in our Islington offices, by telephone. You will also form a close team with our other skilled volunteers and shift leads.

Volunteering can help improve mental well-being, increase physical activity, enhance social bonds and bring meaning to people's lives. It is an excellent way of putting a structure on your free time and keeping your brain active. When you volunteer, you feel useful to and valued by your community.

SANEline Volunteers provide support to callers with a wide range of mental health problems via our confidential crisis line, which is open from 4-10pm, 365 days a year.

Working on SANEline requires empathy and resilience, and we take pride in providing a nurturing environment and unwavering support to our team.

About you:

- You are empathetic, highly compassionate and genuinely interested in supporting people from all walks of life

- You are a good listener and a warm and confident communicator

- You have a few hours to spare each week and want to use that time to make a difference to help vulnerable people

- You are looking for a way to continue using skills built up over your working life or a route to learn and explore new avenues previously blocked by the demands of your career or job.

- You can commit to one 4-hour shift per week, including one weekend shift per month

- You can work collaboratively with our team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service on SANEline

- No previous helpline or mental health experience is required, just a sincere desire to help others

Altogether, we are looking for warm, compassionate, understanding people who are good communicators to join our services team as a volunteer. You don't need to be a mental health expert: empathy matters more than academic qualifications or experience, and we’re keen to hear from people of all ages and walks of life.

We particularly encourage applications from retirees, empty nesters, or people changing careers and wanting to develop new skills. 

In early May, we will run a drop-in session for you to find out more about SANE and ask any questions you may have about volunteering with us. 

What can you expect?

To work within SANE's framework, including regular check-ins and debriefs to support you and help refine your newly acquired skills.

To receive the full SANEline training and further online training opportunities within specific areas.

To become part of an established and diverse team.

To gain exposure to a wide range of mental health problems.

To gain valuable practical experience in providing emotional support to vulnerable people.

A culture where team members support and learn from each other.

A warm, supportive and encouraging environment.

To apply: Please click on "Apply via Website" and fill in the form to register your interest. We will then get in touch and let you know about the following steps.