Volunteer roles in south east

At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.

We’re seeking friendly, reliable individuals aged 18 or over who want to make a difference in their community by helping their local Oxfam shop to stay open for as long possible. We need people to open and close the shop, and ensure volunteers know what tasks to undertake so the shop can run smoothly.

No prior experience is needed, as we provide full training. If you’re open to learning, enjoy working with others, and have a passion for helping people, you’ll fit right in!

You have the time to become a volunteer in your community; you might be looking for work experience, the opportunity to meet new people, or keep active.

By volunteering with us in one of our amazing retail spaces you will be raising essential funds for Oxfam – all whilst learning new skills and meeting some incredible people.

What you will be doing

• Undertaking shop related tasks agreed with the Manager, for example:
• Opening or closing the shop.
• Ensuring that the shop is ready to trade or cashing up at the end of trade
• Allocating tasks to members of the volunteer team.
• Selecting, sorting, and pricing donated stock.
• Chatting to customers, giving great service on the till.
• Researching valuable and vintage stock.
• Visual merchandising: creating eye-catching window and in-store displays.
• Photographing and listing items for the online shop.
• This role may include occasionally lifting boxes. We prioritise a safe working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety training to all volunteers.

The skills you need

• We ask that you are reliable and on time for your volunteering
• Full training and support is given for this role - no prior experience is required
• Happy to be part of a team and collaborate effectively with others
• Confident communicator

What's in it for you

• Some lunch and travel costs paid (speak to the Manager first to understand what is covered)
• Access to training and development
• Grow your confidence and meet new people
• Flexible volunteering schedules that fit your lifestyle
• Free confidential support by the Retail Trust
• Possible references for future employers

At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.

We’re seeking friendly, reliable individuals aged 18 or over who want to make a difference in their community. No prior experience is needed, as we provide full training. If you’re open to learning, enjoy working with others, and have a passion for helping people, you’ll fit right in!

You have the time to become a volunteer in your community; you might be looking for work experience, the opportunity to meet new people, or keep active.

By volunteering with us in one of our amazing retail spaces you will be raising essential funds for Oxfam – all whilst learning new skills and meeting some incredible people.

What you will be doing

• Undertaking shop related tasks agreed with the Manager, for example:
• Chatting to customers, giving great service on the till.
• Selecting, sorting, and pricing donated stock.
• Visual merchandising: creating eye-catching window and in-store displays.
• Accepting donations from members of the public, speaking to the donors and asking them a few questions..
• Following clear instructions to label donations in order to maximise income.
• This role may include occasionally lifting boxes. We prioritise a safe working environment and provide comprehensive health and safety training to all volunteers.

The skills you need

• We ask that you are reliable and on time for your volunteering
• Full training and support is given for this role - no prior experience is required
• Happy to be part of a team and collaborate effectively with others
• Happy to speak with other people, and follow instructions to complete a task

What's in it for you

• Some lunch and travel costs paid (speak to the Manager first to understand what is covered)
• Access to training and development
• Grow your confidence and meet new people
• Flexible volunteering schedules that fit your lifestyle
• Free confidential support by the Retail Trust
• Possible references for future employers

We are looking for volunteers who can help informal carers with form filling for applications for Carers Allowance, Attendance Allowance, PIP and Blue Badges. Many of the carers that we work with are entitled to claim these benefits but find that the form filling element is challenging. We want to support them in this.

About us: 

Barnet Carers has a long history of supporting unpaid carers living and/or caring for someone living in the London borough of Barnet. We are a charitable organisation delivering reliable and accessible support for ‘unpaid’ carers and young carers in Barnet. Our mission is to ‘enable all carers to thrive’ by empowering them to live the life they want, whilst carrying out a caring role. 

What you will be doing: 

• Assisting someone to fill out a benefit form over the phone, via video call  or in person at our Office in North Finchley (if you live locally to us in Barnet).
• Working as part of a team with other Barnet Carers volunteers and members of staff, as well as individually.

To be a Form Filling Volunteer, you will need good communication skills, to be friendly, approachable, able to handle confidential data and sensitive information, have good IT skills and a willingness to learn.

You will be given training on benefits and form filling as well as any other additional training required for the role. The role will be remote or based at our office in Finchley.  All we ask is that you can commit to the role for at least 4 to 8 hours per month for a minimum of six months. You will be able to choose the hours that are convenient for you.

Why you will enjoy it: 

This is a real chance to make a difference in people's lives by supporting them in accessing valuable benefits. You will learn new skills and build experience of working with a wide range of people from different backgrounds.

What we can do for you:

You will be given training on benefits and benefit form filling as well as any other training needed for this role (if you do not already have experience of this area of work).

What we are looking for: 

We are looking for empathetic people who are keen to support informal carers.  There are a number of attributes and skills that we are looking for: 

• Good communications skills 
• Friendly and approachable 
• Able to handle personal data sensitively and confidentially 
• Happy to work as part of a team either in person or remotely 
• Good IT skills 
• A willingness to learn.

The Role

We are now seeking a Trustee with strong financial skills and sound understanding of the regulatory and governance landscape to join our Board, act as the lead for financial oversight, and help guide the organisation through its next stage of growth and impact.

Trustees are expected to use their knowledge, skills, and experience to ensure that Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity achieves its charitable objectives, represents the interests of all stakeholders, and acts as ambassadors for the charity.

Principle Responsibilities

· Strategic Leadership: Provide direction and advice that aligns with the charity's strategic plan and objectives, ensuring we stay true to RDMCC's mission and values.

· Governance and Compliance: Ensure effective governance and the smooth running of the organisation, maintaining financial stability and adhering to all legal and regulatory requirements, including those set by the Charity Commission.

· Financial Oversight: Monitor the charity's financial health, ensuring strong internal controls, risk management, and financial reporting. Consider the financial impact of new or revised activities, making sure RDMCC operates within its means.

· Strategic Approval: Approve strategic plans, budgets, reserves policies, and authorisation limits, ensuring that RDMCC has the resources-both financial and human-to meet its goals.

· Executive Support: Recruit, appoint, and support the Chief Executive, delegating the day-to-day management of the organisation to them while providing oversight.

· Investments: Ensuring that our funds are invested responsibly and with care.

· Representation: Represent the Board at events, engaging with external stakeholders to promote and advance RDMCC's mission.

· Stakeholder Engagement: Connect with volunteers, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders to stay informed about our activities and the issues that affect our work.

· Ambassadorship: Act as an ambassador for RDMCC, upholding our reputation and promoting our values in all your activities.

· Remuneration Oversight: Oversee the remuneration, compensation, and benefits provided to staff, ensuring they are fair and aligned with the charity's policies and legal requirements.

Finance responsibilities

· To Chair the Finance & Investment Sub-committee.

· Oversee the financial strategy, budget and long-term sustainability of the charity.

· Liaise with the CEO and Director of Finance and HR on key financial matters.

· Support the development of management accounts, annual accounts, and statutory returns, ensuring compliance with charity law, Companies Act (where applicable), and relevant regulations (e.g., SORP).

· Lead on relationship management with external auditors.

· Ensure that robust financial controls, risk management processes, and policies are in place and adhered to.

Time Commitment & Location

-  Approximately 10 days per year.

- Trustees are required to attend an induction at our office in Amersham.

- Trustees are expected to prepare for and attend all board meetings, held 3 times per year, generally in London during normal office hours, lasting approximately 3-4 hours.

- Trustee to chair the Finance and Investment sub-comittee.  These meetings take place virtually, also 3 times per year.

As a County Quality Assurance Lead, you will be part of the establishment of a County St John Council to oversee and guide volunteer Community Networks aims to create a structured and supportive framework that empowers volunteers to operate more effectively and efficiently. By providing strategic leadership, coordination, and oversight, the council ensures that volunteer efforts align with community needs and priorities while avoiding duplication of services.

St John has embarked on a journey to achieve the goal of ensuring that every community and young person across the country is first aid confident.

We are looking for a leader with a passion for local volunteering and helping communities to inspire and support volunteers on this journey across your county

The post will also interact with relevant Communities of Practice to share learning, advice and best practice.

Please specify on your application any dates that you will not be available for interview.

The closing date for this vacancy is 06/10/2025

 We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated individual to take on the role of Network Training Lead who can work and lead volunteering groups and leaders in their own way, supported by our central teams

At St John Ambulance, we are looking to embed ourselves within our communities, delivering support which is tailored to the needs of those communities whilst providing a positive experience for our Volunteers.

We need leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their communities, who care about helping and developing others, who will lead and inspire a volunteer movement across a geographical area to deliver Community First Aid, Community Education and Community Fundraising as well as develop our offering for young people. Through leading a team of Volunteer leaders, you will drive excellence in delivery, develop an inclusive and diverse volunteering experience for new and current volunteers, and help navigate through change to build a bigger and better St John Ambulance.

As Network Lead, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride through supporting a team and our volunteers to deliver our essential services. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation.

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

Volunteers would be expected to attend training for the role both online and in person, to attend regularly network weekly meetings to enable them to keep their skills up to date.

If you are successful, you will need to undertake relevant training for the role, details of which will be discussed after you have been appointed.

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30th September 2025

To apply for this opportunity, please follow the link below:

We are seeking a dynamic and dedicated individual to take on the role of Network Training Lead who can work and lead volunteering groups and leaders in their own way, supported by our central teams

At St John Ambulance, we are looking to embed ourselves within our communities, delivering support which is tailored to the needs of those communities whilst providing a positive experience for our Volunteers.

We need leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their communities, who care about helping and developing others, who will lead and inspire a volunteer movement across a geographical area to deliver Community First Aid, Community Education and Community Fundraising as well as develop our offering for young people. Through leading a team of Volunteer leaders, you will drive excellence in delivery, develop an inclusive and diverse volunteering experience for new and current volunteers, and help navigate through change to build a bigger and better St John Ambulance.

As Network Lead, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride through supporting a team and our volunteers to deliver our essential services. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation.

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

Volunteers would be expected to attend training for the role both online and in person, to attend regularly network weekly meetings to enable them to keep their skills up to date.

If you are successful, you will need to undertake relevant training for the role, details of which will be discussed after you have been appointed.

Closing date for these opportunities is: 27th October 2025

To apply for this opportunity, please follow the link below:

We need leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their communities, who care about helping and developing others, who will lead and inspire a volunteer movement across a geographical area to deliver Community First Aid, Community Education and Community Fundraising as well as develop our offering for young people. Through leading a team of Volunteer leaders, you will drive excellence in delivery, develop an inclusive and diverse volunteering experience for new and current volunteers, and help navigate through change to build a bigger and better St John Ambulance.

As a member of our network leadership team, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride through supporting a team and our volunteers to deliver our essential services. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation.

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

Volunteers would be expected to attend training for the role both online and in person, to attend regularly network weekly meetings to enable them to keep their skills up to date.

Attendance at regular meetings across Scarborough and Whitby areas with less frequent travelling further afield further afield for meetings, events and training,

If you are successful you will need to undertake relevant training for the role, details of which will be discussed after you have been appointed.

We are recruiting Youth Helpers to assist at our various Cadet and Badger groups in Northamptonshire.

Youth Helpers work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units by supporting our Youth Leaders to deliver a sessions across our range of programmes. In this role, you'll support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Helpers also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Pursuing the role

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - 20/01/2026

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30/11/2025

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Parents Journey UK

After seeing a gap in support for parents of children of “all ages, all stages” of childhood, we are developing a group to become a Registered Charity, Parents Journey UK.

Parenting is rewarding but doesn’t get easier: the challenges just change.
So why should parental support from groups and charities stop once your child has entered school, or enters their teenage years?

While many organisations focus on the earliest stages of parenthood, Parents Journey UK aims to also support parents well beyond those toddler years, whether that be coffee mornings for new parents or social evenings for parents of teenagers. We aim to provide ongoing support through a variety of face-to-face meets and online, with the support of local professionals.

To develop our idea further and start the formal process of Registering a Charity, we are looking for volunteers to become our first trustees.

If you have interest, experience or skills in any of the following, we want to talk with you; and if you don’t have much experience but enthusiasm about this idea, we really want to talk with you:

• Leading our group’s meetings and ensuring they are effective; coordinating the trustees’ group – you could be the Chair of our new charity.
• Coordinating our group’s money, keeping records of finances; ensuring the group complies with our financial rules – you could be the Treasurer of our new charity.
• Keeping accurate administrative records; communicating with other trustees; acting as the backbone of our group – you could be the Secretary of our new charity.

You don’t necessarily need to have done any of these voluntary roles before, as the tasks are easy-enough to learn, and in the early days of forming our charity, will be focused on Registration (and we have assistance with that process). At the same time, as trustees you will be primary in deciding and forming what this new charity does and how it does that. Because of the legal type of charity we are forming, you will not be held liable for the charity’s finances, but expected to take good care of those and of the charity’s activities; training and explanations of trustees’ duties will be provided.

Your skills & abilities that will help us:

• A strong commitment to Parents Journey UK idea, mission and values
• Good communication and teamwork
• Contribution to our strategic thinking and decision-making
• Some knowledge and abilities in social media and marketing would be helpful
• Your background in Finance, Administration, Legal, Safeguarding, or Health and Social Care, would be very useful; of course, experience in other areas is just as valued
• Previous experience as a charity trustee would be highly-valued but isn’t required
• Your willingness to give time to the charity’s activities, probably about a flexible 10 hours per month

What’s in it for you?

• The chance to use your skills in a potentially-different context
• The opportunity to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of parents
• The ability to gain experience into the creation of a charity, and insight into its governance
• An opportunity to volunteer alongside other committed trustees
• A boost to your personal and professional development, including your career and CV, if appropriate

For an informal chat and to find out more about these opportunities and our idea, contact Hayleigh Woolven via Quick Apply below

To apply, we ask for your CV and a brief Cover Letter explaining WHY you’re interested and WHAT you can bring to our newly-developing group.

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• Processing sales and serving on the till
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers
• Following new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

We are recruiting Youth Helpers to assist at our various Cadet and Badger groups in Northamptonsire.

Youth Helpers work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units by supporting our Youth Leaders to deliver a sessions across our range of programmes. In this role, you'll support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Helpers also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Pursuing the role

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - 20/01/2026

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30th November 2025.

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

We are recruiting Youth Helpers to assist at our various Cadet and Badger groups in Northamptonsire.

Youth Helpers work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units by supporting our Youth Leaders to deliver a sessions across our range of programmes. In this role, you'll support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Helpers also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Pursuing the role

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) - 20/01/2026

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30th November 2025.

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

We are recruiting Youth Helpers to assist at our various Cadet and Badger groups in the Surrey area.

Youth Helpers work directly with young people in St John Ambulance Badger Setts and Cadet Units by supporting our Youth Leaders to deliver a sessions across our range of programmes. In this role, you'll support the learning and development of young people into the next generation of health citizens. Youth Helpers also help young people develop their confidence, teamwork skills, self-discipline, and generally encourage them to strive to be the best they can be, as well as supervise and support other adult volunteers in their team.

You’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

Pursuing the role

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:

• Welcome Event (Induction) -  31/01/2026
• Closing date for these opportunities is: 31st December 2025.

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below: