Volunteer roles in northolt, greater london
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Hours: Variable - Tuesday mornings
Many people may be well aware of The Hospice of St Francis and the wonderful work done with both inpatient and community-based care, however they perhaps will not be aware of the extensive grounds at the Hospice and that they are cared for by a team of volunteers.
The seven acres of grounds are a mix of formal gardens, woodland and a wildflower meadow with a woodland walk and provide an opportunity for patients, visitors and staff to enjoy the benefits of a wonderful garden and a chance to enjoy our part of the Hertfordshire countryside with wonderful views across to Ashridge.
The ethos of the gardens is very much towards conservation with no use of insecticides or herbicides and with composting of all possible matter. Our aim is to encourage all wildlife in the gardens.
There are a group of about 35 individuals, who operate in teams responsible for their own section of the garden under head gardener, Gill Johnson. We are currently looking for extra help, particularly from people with gardening experience, although all are welcome. We meet on a Tuesday morning each week, with a break for coffee and cake mid-morning.
We carry on throughout the winter, although not in snow and ice. Winter jobs are a warming workout and include leaf raking; grass cutting (training on machinery provided); fencing; building 'dead' hedges.
To quote one of our gardeners “I work with lovely people in a wonderful setting and we are doing something really useful, what’s not to like?“
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Supporting our events has something for everyone! With roles based at our community events and mass participation events there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in a fun, memorable event experience.
Event support volunteers help our events by marshalling, welcoming participants, setting up and stewarding.
Our volunteers help to run and structure the events better, keep participants safe and allow us to continue to raise money for our care services.
Each role requires a different level of commitment, so please get in touch if you think you can help.
"I love helping at events, there is such a sense of camaraderie"
Event Volunteer
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Inpatient unit Volunteers provide support to the kitchen staff by delivering meals and snacks to patients, collecting used crockery from patient rooms and washing up all staff & patient crockery and cutlery. Volunteers in this role also provide a warm welcome to visitors when required. This allows catering staff to concentrate on food preparation, and nursing staff to concentrate on patient care.
Full training provided. An enhanced DBS check will be required for this role.
“Since helping at the Hospice of St Francis I feel as though my life has been much enriched”
IPU Volunteer
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Responsabilities include:
- To check diaries at the start of the shift regarding staff whereabouts / absences / callers
- To answer the telephone promptly, and direct calls quickly and efficiently
- To take and pass on accurate telephone messages
- To greet personal callers to the Hospice and advise relevant staff of their arrival.
- To contact fundraising for monetary donations, home boxes or collecting tubs that come in.
- To sign for deliveries as appropriate
- To deal with payments for items from the shop.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Hours: We are looking for committed volunteers to help in our shops. Shop volunteers need to be fit and work to a rota; usually one morning or afternoon each week, but we can be flexible. We are particularly looking for volunteers in the following shops:
Greenway Owned (Chesham) NEW SHOP OPENED! Flexible shifts available, initially Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, from February to also be opening Monday to Wednesday
Amersham Owned- Monday afternoons, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Friday mornings, Weekends
Berkhamsted Owned - Tuesdays, Wednesday afternoons (Sorter), Saturday afternoons
Abbots Langley Owned - Friday afternoons
Highfield Owned (Hemel Hempstead) - Monday afternoons, Friday afternoons, Saturdays
Kings Langley Owned - Monday mornings, Saturday afternoons (ideally Steamer). DofE - Wednesday after school, Saturday mornings
Returned to Glory (Berkhamsted) - Mondays mornings and Weekends (ideally willing and able to help move furniture)
Marshalswick Owned (St Albans) - Steamers and Sorters for most days and Sundays also Stock Processor/Till Operator
All our shops are in the heart of the community. If you are looking for a fun role, to learn new skills and to work within a fantastic team then shops have the volunteer roles for you!
Tasks are incredibly varied but all require a commitment to the Hospice values. The main roles with training given, are:
Till Operator - serving customers on the till, customer facing
Steamer - Steaming clothes ready for sale
Sorter - Sorting donations in preparation to sell
Stock Processor - Hanging, tagging clothes, washing bric-a-brac, filling shop shelves
If you are interested in finding out more about these roles pop into one of the shops for a chat with the shop manager, complete our online application form or contact our friendly volunteering team.
“Bright, lively and a fun place to work with a brill people.” Shop Volunteer
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
This role provides a telephone listening and support service to bereaved carers’ and family members whose relatives died under the care of The Hospice of St Francis. Last year our Bereavement Support Line volunteers made over 1,000 calls.
We are looking for additional volunteers to support this service. Do you have strong listening skills? Are you reflective, self-aware, adaptive with basic IT skills? We'd love to hear from you.
The role will be ome based and you will receive full training and ongoing support.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
HOPE not hate Charitable Trust’s vision is a world without hate and we achieve this by supporting initiatives challenging far-right hate and building hopeful alternatives for communities. We are a fundraising and grant making Trust.
We are keen to hear from candidates who share our passion and vision; who can reflect the diversity of the communities we work with; and who can apply their skills and expertise to help us reach our goals.
About us
HOPE not hate Charitable Trust, which was formerly known as Searchlight Educational Trust, was created in 1992 and over the years has raised over £20m to pursue its mission. In 2022, it changed its remit from being a conventional Charity, employing staff and running programmes, to become a fundraising and grant making Trust. HnHCT primarily supports the work of HOPE not hate Ltd, but it can also make grants to other organisations which meets our charitable objectives.
The Trustees meet four times a year to review the fundraising targets and ensure the grant made to HOPE not hate Ltd is being spent effectively and within our charitable objectives. One of these meetings is a joint away day with the Directors of HOPE not hate Limited, where the two bodies and the Senior Leadership Team of HnH Ltd discuss the state of hate in the UK and priorities for the forthcoming year.
If you’re passionate about challenging the far right and building hope in communities, and would like to use your expertise to help us do both, we would welcome you to apply to become a Trustee.
Trustee role description
The role of a Trustee is to ensure that HOPE not hate Charitable Trust delivers on our mission, vision and values.
Duties:
· Ensuring that the organisation pursues its stated objects (purposes), as defined in its governing document, by developing and agreeing a long-term strategy
· Ensuring that the organisation complies with its governing document (i.e. its memorandum and articles of association), charity law, company law and any other relevant legislation or regulations
· Ensuring that the organisation applies its resources exclusively in pursuance of its charitable objects (i.e. the charity must not spend money on activities that are not included in its own objects, however worthwhile or charitable those activities are) for the benefit of the public
· Ensuring that the organisation defines its goals and evaluates performance against agreed targets
· Safeguarding the good name and values of the organisation
· Ensuring the effective and efficient administration of the organisation, including having appropriate policies and procedures in place
· Ensuring the financial stability of the organisation
· Protecting and managing the property of the charity and ensuring the proper investment of the charity’s funds
· Following proper and formal arrangements for the appointment, supervision, support, appraisal and remuneration of the chief executive
In addition to the above statutory duties, each trustee should use any specific skills, knowledge or experience they have to help the board of trustees reach sound decisions. This may involve scrutinising board papers, leading discussions, focusing on key issues, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, or other issues in which the trustee has special expertise.
Person specification
· A commitment to the organisation
· A willingness to devote the necessary time and effort
· Strategic vision
· Good, independent judgement
· An ability to think creatively
· A willingness to speak their mind
· An understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship
· An ability to work effectively as a member of a team
Roles we are seeking to fill
As well as being passionate about our cause and committed to our mission and values, at this time, we are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who can bring one or more of the following:
· Financial management skills to the board, helping to guide and support the charity’s operational finances.
· Experience in fundraising and networking
· Charity leadership including governance
· Experience in and/or and understanding of the communities susceptible to far right hate
It is not essential to have sat on a board before. In fact, we actively encourage those who are passionate about our work and will bring new perspectives.
We welcome applicants from all communities, backgrounds and geographies in order that we reflect the diverse nature of the people we serve and who support us.
If you are interested in discussing the role further, please get in touch and we’ll arrange an informal chat with a member of our team to find out more.
The Role of an HNHCT Trustee
This is a voluntary role requiring attendance at four board meetings and one in-person away day per year.
While meetings are currently virtual, we hope that in the future we will be able to meet in person at least twice a year in London.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Project Coordinator
Job Title: EPAfrica Summer Team – Project Coordinator (PC)
Location: Kakamega, Kenya
Duration: Minimum 3 weeks during our summer programme, which runs from approximately 1st July – 13th September 2025.
Start Date: UK-based training and preparation begins in June, with travel to Kenya taking place several days before the start of your placement.
Compensation: Non-salaried placement, with the following expenses covered:
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Travel: Project-related travel in and around Kakamega County is fully covered.
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Accommodation: Fully covered throughout the EPAfrica summer.
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Programme delivery costs: All costs associated with programme delivery (travel to sites, partner meeting expenses, etc) paid for by the charity.
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Additional Costs: Round-trip flights to Kenya and limited subsistence costs, plus any personal travel elsewhere within Kenya (e.g., for your holiday week).
About EPAfrica
EPAfrica (Education Partnerships Africa) is a volunteer-led charity working in partnership with rural secondary schools in East Africa. Our mission is to create sustainable change in education by investing in resources, infrastructure, and local capacity. Our volunteers are central to our work — building strong relationships, learning deeply about the local context, and delivering projects that matter.
Role Overview
As a Project Coordinator (PC), you will be a key part of the Summer Team, supporting the smooth operation of EPAfrica’s in-country summer programme. You’ll work alongside the Project Manager and other Project Coordinators to provide on-the-ground coordination, logistical support, and pastoral care for our Project Workers (PWs). This is a dynamic and rewarding role that gives you insight into international development, team leadership, and operational planning.
Key Responsibilities
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With guidance from the Project Manager (PM), support our team of Project Workers (PWs) in their school placements, including:
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Monitor project progress and guide PWs to address any issues as they arise
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Offering pastoral support and help maintain the wellbeing of Project Workers
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Co-deliver trainings on topics such as project management, effective international development practices, safety and wellbeing, and cultural awareness
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Coordinating key operational logistics relating to summer programme delivery.
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Facilitate communication between PWs, our in-country Summer Team, and the UK-based central charity team.
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Help deliver our in-country monitoring and evaluation programme, enabling us to effectively plan for and deliver future investments. This includes:
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Monitoring visits to current & recent investment schools to gauge impact of EPAfrica’s work
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Assessment visits to potential future EPAfrica participant schools
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Staying up-to-date research into developments in the Kenyan education system and potential impacts on our work
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Establishing and maintaining relationships with our network of local partners.
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Contribute to Summer Team planning, reflection sessions, and process documentation
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Help to maintain the safety, security, and wellbeing of the Kenya-based team, working within the charity’s risk guidelines.
What We’re Looking For
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Strong familiarity with, and demonstrated interest in, EPAfrica’s values and operating model.
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A demonstrated interest in grassroots international development is required; previous experience in this setting (volunteering, fieldwork, or prior work experience) preferred.
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Experience being a part of teams delivering project-based work, and leading with empathy.
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Effective communication skills and the ability to work with stakeholders from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
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Demonstrated ability to take initiative and solve problems under pressure.
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Willingness to operate in a challenging, fast-paced environment and to be involved in making decisions which affect the wider team.
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Experience as a Project Worker or previous Summer Team involvement preferred – but alternatively, relevant professional or volunteering experience in a similar context.
What You’ll Gain
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Real, hands-on project management and delivery experience.
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Exposure to international development at a grassroots level, with concrete opportunities to deliver meaningful work.
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A rich cultural experience and the opportunity to immerse yourself in semi-rural communities in Western Kenya.
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Volunteers benefit from one week’s holiday in the middle of the programme, allowing the opportunity to explore the rest of the country (previous volunteers have travelled to Mombasa, Nairobi and the Maasai Mara).
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Opportunity to work with a team of passionate, like-minded individuals and build a strong professional network within the charity and our wider community.
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A standout experience for your CV, and the chance to develop transferable skills in stakeholder management, communication, logistics, and more. Previous EPAfrica volunteers have leveraged their experience with us to secure roles with the FCDO, WHO, UN, Civil Service and in a variety of consultancies.
Interested?
We’d love to hear from you! If you’re enthusiastic about education, development, and making a difference, this is a unique opportunity to get involved and get hands-on, meaningful experience delivering grassroots international development projects in Kenya. You’re also welcome to apply with a friend and complete a summer placement alongside them; just let us know in your application.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Job Title: EPAfrica Summer Team – Project Manager (PM)
Location: Kakamega, Kenya
Duration: Approximately 1st July – 13th September 2025, with limited flexibility on start and finish dates.
Start Date: UK-based training and preparation begins in June, with travel to Kenya for final pre-summer preparation in late June.
Compensation: Non-salaried placement, with the following expenses covered:
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Flights: Round-trip flights to Nairobi, and internal travel from Nairobi to Kakamega, covered.
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Accommodation: Fully covered throughout the EPAfrica summer. No contribution required towards rent or utilities.
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Programme delivery costs: All costs associated with programme delivery paid for by the charity.
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Additional Costs: Limited personal subsistence costs, plus any personal travel elsewhere within Kenya (e.g., for your holiday week).
About EPAfrica
EPAfrica (Education Partnerships Africa) is a volunteer-run charity that works in partnership with rural secondary schools in East Africa. We focus on sustainable improvements in education by investing in infrastructure, resources, and people. Our volunteers play a crucial role in delivering meaningful, long-term impact through grassroots engagement and collaborative problem-solving.
Role Overview
As a Project Manager (PM), you'll be part of EPAfrica’s Summer Team, which is our in-country leadership group responsible for overseeing and supporting Project Workers (PWs) to deliver meaningful programmes of investment in Kenyan schools. You’ll take on a leadership role that blends operational oversight, pastoral care, and high-level decision-making to ensure the success and safety of our summer projects. This is a unique opportunity to develop leadership skills, contribute meaningfully to international development, and support passionate volunteers in-country.
Key Responsibilities
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Direct managerial responsibility for our volunteers in-country, including our Project Workers (PWs) and a “Summer Team” of coordinators.
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Lead and support a cohort of PWs throughout their placements in partner schools, including:
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With the support of coordinators, deliver trainings on topics such as project management, effective international development practices, safety and wellbeing, and cultural awareness
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Provide pastoral support and act as the first point of contact for volunteers in-country
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Oversee project progress, support PWs in addressing challenges, and ensure investment projects stay aligned with EPAfrica’s mission and theory of change
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Implement our in-country monitoring and evaluation programme, enabling us to effectively plan for and deliver future investments. This includes:
-
Monitoring visits to current & recent investment schools to gauge impact of EPAfrica’s work
-
Assessment visits to potential future EPAfrica participant schools
-
Staying up-to-date research into developments in the Kenyan education system and potential impacts on our work
-
Maintaining relationships with our network of local partners.
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Managing risk and implementing an emergency response to crises.
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Maintain clear and proactive communication with the central UK-based charity team.
What We’re Looking For
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Strong familiarity with, and demonstrated interest in, EPAfrica’s values and operating model.
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A keen demonstrated interest in grassroots international development is required; previous experience in this setting (volunteering, fieldwork, or prior work experience) preferred.
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Experience managing teams to deliver project-based work, and leading with empathy.
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Effective communication skills and the ability to work with stakeholders from a variety of cultures and backgrounds.
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Demonstrated ability to take initiative and solve problems under pressure, with good judgement, and decision-making skills.
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Willingness to operate in a challenging, fast-paced environment, taking accountability for team decisions.
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Experience as a Project Worker or previous Summer Team involvement preferred.
What You’ll Gain
-
Real, hands-on leadership and project management experience.
-
Exposure to international development at a grassroots level, with concrete opportunities to deliver meaningful work.
-
A rich cultural experience and the opportunity to immerse yourself in semi-rural communities in Western Kenya.
-
Volunteers benefit from one week’s holiday in the middle of the programme, allowing the opportunity to explore the rest of the country (previous volunteers have travelled to Mombasa, Nairobi and the Maasai Mara).
-
Opportunity to lead a team of passionate, like-minded individuals and build a strong professional network within the charity and our wider community.
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A standout experience for your CV, and the chance to develop transferable skills in stakeholder management, communication, logistics, and more. Previous EPAfrica volunteers have leveraged their experience with us to secure roles with the FCDO, WHO, UN, Civil Service and in a variety of consultancies.
Interested?
We’d love to hear from you! If you’re enthusiastic about education, development, and making a difference, this is a unique opportunity to get involved and get hands-on, meaningful experience delivering grassroots international development projects in Kenya. You’re also welcome to apply with a friend and complete a summer placement alongside them; just let us know in your application.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
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
A bit more information about this role and the team
We are specifically looking for indoor - single room fosterers.
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.
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.
Making a better life for cats, because life is better with cats


The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
First Give – providing hope for the future
Today’s young people care deeply about social issues. But while 88% of 10–20-year-olds want to make the world a better place, far fewer are taking part in meaningful social action.
First Give was founded ten years ago to change that. Our mission is simple: ignite a spark of social conscience in young people and give them the chance to make a difference.
Through our school-based programmes, we’ve supported nearly 250,000 students to connect with local charities, take social action, and understand the power of giving. The impact is clear:
- 98% of students better understand local social issues
- 90% are more likely to take social action again
- 95% of teachers say we succeed in inspiring a sense of social conscience
Despite this, we’re only reaching 7% of state secondary students in our key regions. We need to go further.
Route to a Million Campaign
We’ve set our sights on something bigger. By 2034, we want one million young people to experience the power of giving through our programmes.
To make that happen, we’re launching an ambitious fundraising campaign—Route to a Million—to raise an additional £1.5m over the next three years.
This is a pivotal moment. With the right support, we can expand our reach, scale our model and dramatically increase our impact.
Who we’re looking for
We need a bold, strategic Chair to lead the new Campaign Board and help bring this vision to life.
You’ll bring:
- Senior leadership experience and strong business acumen
- Influence and networks that can unlock significant support
- A passion for empowering young people and driving social change
As Chair, you’ll:
- Shape and drive the fundraising strategy
- Open doors and generate new funding opportunities
- Build and lead a high-impact Campaign Board
- Act as a lead ambassador for First Give and the campaign
- Be willing to give, as well as ask others to
- This is an opportunity to play a defining role in a campaign with a lasting legacy—for young people, for communities, and for the future of giving in the UK.
Time commitment and support
- Around 1-2 days per month, including some evening events
- A three-year term
- Based in London with in-person Board meetings at our West Hampstead office
- Full support from the First Give team to ensure your time is impactful
If you believe in the potential of young people to drive change, and you have the drive to lead this campaign, we want to hear from you.
We’re an executive search firm working across third sector, education and membership sectors to transform leadership and inspire change.

Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Who are we?
Switchboard LGBTQIA+ exists to provide members of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as their friends, family and those supporting them, with a listening service that they can contact via phone, instant message and email between the hours of 10am to 10pm every day.
We are happy to talk to service users about any topic they wish. Topics we often talk to service users about include: sexual health, safer sex, relationships, coming-out, gender identity, transitioning, mental health, experiences of hate crimes, support for meeting other LGBTQIA+ people and making friends, and much more.
However, we want to also be upfront and transparent about the fact that not all of our conversations are positive or constructive. Our volunteers can also be exposed to abuse from the public, manipulative callers, sexual fantasies and safeguarding concerns.
Training for POC volunteers
At Switchboard we are working to ensure that our volunteer membership reflects everyone within the LGBTQIA+ community. We want service users to be able to speak with volunteers who can empathise with their experiences and volunteers to connect with folks from a wide range of different backgrounds, cultures and identities.
To help enable us to do this even more, we have created brand new dedicated training groups for different identities within the LGBTQIA+ community.
This group training group is specifically set up for people of colour. By joining this group, you'll undertake our Core Acceptance Training programme which equips you with the skills needed to support those contacting us via phone and instant message. Our hope is that this safe space enables you to freely ask questions, put our listening toolkit into practice and discuss approaches to different scenarios in an engaging, enjoyable way.
Who are we looking for?
To ensure we can provide a high quality service to those who contact us, we are looking for volunteers who:
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Simply put, like communicating and chatting with other people (you’re most likely a people-person who feels energised by this type of communication)
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Feel comfortable taking calls and speaking over the phone to people you do not already know
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Are familiar with different instant messaging platforms (such as WhatsApp and other chat tools) and the types of communication they might receive
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Are able to read between the lines to decipher messages
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Are good listeners who let others lead conversations and instead create the space they need
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Are able to ask broad, open questions to keep conversations flowing
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Understand the importance of using the right tone when communicating in writing, and are able to flex their writing style to suit different people
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Have a strong attention to detail, with a particular focus on spelling and grammar
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Are able to evaluate sources of information and identify those that can be trusted, from those that cannot
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Know when to challenge and when to step back
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Have essential digital literacy skills (such as using email tools such as gmail and outlook, search the web for information and copy and paste website URLs)
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Understand and support our mission
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Have an awareness of the challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community
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Are empathetic in nature
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Agree to uphold our values of being non-directive and non-judgemental
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Who are we?
Switchboard LGBTQIA+ exists to provide members of the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as their friends, family and those supporting them, with a listening service that they can contact via phone, instant message and email between the hours of 10am to 10pm every day.
We are happy to talk to service users about any topic they wish. Topics we often talk to service users about include: sexual health, safer sex, relationships, coming-out, gender identity, transitioning, mental health, experiences of hate crimes, support for meeting other LGBTQIA+ people and making friends, and much more.
However, we want to also be upfront and transparent about the fact that not all of our conversations are positive or constructive. Our volunteers can also be exposed to abuse from the public, manipulative callers, sexual fantasies and safeguarding concerns.
What is our over 50's club?
Our over 50's club is a new initiative for Switchboard.
We want to create a space that enables older members of the LGBTQIA+ community to volunteer with us on our phone lines and instant messaging service, whilst providing a social element that encourages volunteers to come together at our London HQ.
This club will meet on both Mondays and Tuesdays during the day (you can choose which day works better for you), completing a shift either between 10am to 1pm or 2:00pm to 5:00pm. You can join us weekly or bi-weekly, whichever you prefer.
We then come together between 1pm and 2:00pm to have lunch (paid for by us) and a good natter!
Volunteers who support Switchboard in this capacity are trained to take both phone calls and respond to instant messages. They do not respond to emails, however.
Who are we looking for?
To ensure we can provide a high quality service to those who contact us, we are looking for volunteers who:
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Simply put, like communicating and chatting with other people (you’re most likely a people-person who feels energised by this type of communication)
-
Feel comfortable taking calls and speaking over the phone to people you do not already know
-
Are familiar with different instant messaging platforms (such as WhatsApp and other chat tools) and the types of communication they might receive
-
Are able to read between the lines to decipher messages
-
Are good listeners who let others lead conversations and instead create the space they need
-
Are able to ask broad, open questions to keep conversations flowing
-
Understand the importance of using the right tone when communicating in writing, and are able to flex their writing style to suit different people
-
Have a strong attention to detail, with a particular focus on spelling and grammar
-
Are able to evaluate sources of information and identify those that can be trusted, from those that cannot
-
Know when to challenge and when to step back
-
Have essential digital literacy skills (such as using email tools such as gmail and outlook, search the web for information and copy and paste website URLs)
-
Understand and support our mission
-
Have an awareness of the challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community
-
Are empathetic in nature
-
Agree to uphold our values of being non-directive and non-judgemental
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Do you have a passion for cooking and enjoy spending time in the kitchen? We are looking for volunteers to support our services to prepare food for our accommodation based, day centres and drop-in centres across London and southeast.
You will be giving back to your community by assisting our chefs and kitchen staff from preparing the kitchen, cooking hot food recipes, chopping vegetables, dishing up food and serving people who use our services!
Get cooking at Hestia and make a difference to the people we support!
What you will be doing
- Support the cook to manage budgets and purchase ingredients alongside the people who use our services
- Support the cook in the kitchen with food and meal preparation
- Support the cook with maintaining hygiene food standard levels in the kitchen
The skills you need
- Willingness to complete Food Safety Training
- Knowledge regarding cooking, food hygiene and allergies
- Ability to provide a supportive, and inclusive atmosphere
- Calm and patient approach
We deliver services across London as well as campaign and advocate nationally on the issues that affect the people we work with.




Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
If you're interested in both travelling and listening to others talking about travelling (including using passenger assistance), we'd love to hear from you. You will be contributing to the group to ensure that all participants feel comfortable and that the group runs smoothly.
This group will run monthly either by telephone or video call.
How often will I be needed?
- 2 Hours per Month
Key requirements
- This role requires one reference.
Home based
- This role is home based
Additional location information
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The groups meet during the day from Monday to Friday.
Who this opportunity will suit
Minimum age
- You must be at least 18 years old to apply UK resident
What skills and experience are needed?
- Empathy with blind and partially sighted people. Good listening skills An interest in travelling with or without using passenger assistance. An ability to work with a wide range of people Experience of using the telephone or video calling software.