Volunteer volunteer roles in South east

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Portsmouth are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across West Berkshire are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

VOLUNTEER CASE OFFICER

Across the UK, our 60+ local branches work with disabled people to help them live the lives they choose. Our network of skilled volunteers respond to thousands of requests each year to design and make customised equipment free of charge.

Our Case Officers are a vital part of our local branch activities. They use their organisational and IT skills, sometimes along with a knowledge of engineering, to make sure their branch is best able to support people.

What the role involves

This is a varied role that each branch tends to do a bit differently, but it will involve:

• Processing and allocating cases which have come to the branch

• You may have engineering experience or be a skilled craftsperson, but this is not essential

• Using our online referral portal to manage and update case notes

• Attending regular meetings of the local branch

We can support you to develop the skills you need for this role, and there’s an induction that covers all the areas above. You’ll also have chance to discuss your role and any additional needs with us.

What you’ll need for this role

• Warm, approachable and confident to call referrers/clients to initiate discussions

• Comfortable working with people, listening to them and understanding their needs

• Able to apply our risk management system

• Able to keep people’s personal details safe

• Willing to follow Remap policies and procedures – and a commitment to our values

You’ll also need to complete the induction checklist and a reference check.

If it works better for you, there’s a possibility this role could be done remotely.

Why volunteer

When you volunteer with us, you join a community of committed people with a passion for helping to improve the lives of others. We’re a volunteer led organisation and we couldn’t do what we do without  your hard work, skills and commitment.

N.B. We’ll reimburse any out-of-pocket expenses during your time with us.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Blackburn are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Fundraising Manager (Team Leader)

Time commitment: 4 hours per week (flexible)
Location: Remote, UK-based
Reports to: Director
Manages: Fundraising volunteer team (approx. 5 people)
Type: Volunteer

About the role

We are looking for an experienced, friendly, and highly organised Volunteer Fundraising Manager to lead our fundraising function and help us deliver a clear, consistent, and timely pipeline of income opportunities.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You will work closely with the Director to shape and manage our fundraising strategy, prioritise opportunities, and coordinate a small team of fundraising volunteers.

Please note: This role is not responsible for writing full applications. Instead, you will focus on strategy, coordination, quality assurance, and momentum. You will support the team by reviewing drafts, giving clear feedback, and ensuring applications are aligned with our charity’s mission and submitted on time.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and maintain an effective fundraising strategy in collaboration with the Director
• Guide and support a team of around five fundraising volunteers, setting priorities and keeping everyone on track
• Manage the fundraising pipeline (opportunities, deadlines, progress tracking, and follow-ups)
• Provide timely responses to team questions and unblock issues quickly
• Review and improve fundraising drafts (structure, clarity, alignment, tone, completeness, and fit with funder criteria)
• Ensure applications and supporting documents are consistent, accurate, and submitted within deadlines
• Coordinate light-touch check-ins, task allocation, and updates (weekly or fortnightly, as agreed)
• Help improve systems and templates so the team can work efficiently (for example trackers, folder structure, and standard wording)

Who we’re looking for

Essential

• Proven experience in fundraising (charity, community interest, education, health, environment, or similar)
• Strong understanding of what makes a successful grant or fundraising case, and how to align it to funder criteria
• Confident leading and supporting a small team, with a collaborative and encouraging style
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to give clear, constructive feedback
• Highly organised, reliable, and comfortable managing multiple deadlines
• Able to commit around 4 hours per week on an ongoing basis

Desirable

• Experience managing a fundraising pipeline or CRM, or maintaining trackers and workflows
• Experience developing fundraising strategy and prioritisation
• Familiarity with UK trusts and foundations, corporate giving, or community fundraising

What you’ll get in return

• A meaningful leadership role with real impact on our charity’s sustainability
• Support and collaboration with the Director and a committed volunteer team
• Flexibility to fit around work or other commitments
• A reference after an agreed period of consistent volunteering (where appropriate)

Eligibility

This role is open only to applicants who are currently based in the UK and have the right to volunteer in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to consider applicants living outside the UK at this time.

How to apply

Please send:

• A short statement outlining your relevant fundraising and leadership experience
• A brief overview of the types of fundraising you’ve worked on (for example grants, trusts, corporate, community)
• Confirmation that you are UK-based and have the right to volunteer in the UK

Closing date: We may interview suitable candidates as applications come in.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Slough and the surrounding area are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Family Friends carefully recruits, trains, and matches volunteers with families in Central-West London. Our befriending volunteers offer long-term practical and emotional support based on each family's unique needs and potential. We offer two befriending volunteer opportunities with us-, Big Buddies and Parent Buddies.

Our Big Buddies support young people, aged 10-18, for a few hours each week over a period of up to 12 months. With encouragement and support, volunteers will aim to help young people to discover their strengths and build confidence.

Support may look like:

• Helping to strengthen family relationships.
• Providing a listening ear 
• Taking young person to the cinema, museums, libraries - broadening their horizons!

Essential Criteria:

• Can commit to the Big Buddies programme for a minimum of 6 months
• 18+
• Must have lived in the UK for the last 2 years

What we provide in return:

• Full induction training and ongoing training
• Full DBS check
• Support and supervision
• The chance to learn new skills
• References provided after 6 months' commitment
• Reimbursement of travel and session expenses

We are an equal opportunities charity and we value the principles of diversity and inclusion, which is central in providing successful support to our families. We welcome and would like to encourage applications from people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, including people from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTQI+ and individuals from different socio-economic and educational backgrounds.

In the first instance, please register your interest in becoming a volunteer with us by contacting us here for an online application form.

Once we've reviewed your application, a member of our team will be in touch with next steps.

Settled is recruiting new trustees to join its Board and support EU citizens and Ukrainian refugees to access their rights in the UK. This is a voluntary role, open to first-time trustees and those with board experience. We are particularly interested in skills relating to finance, fundraising, governance, or equity, diversity and inclusion, as well as lived experience. Meetings are mainly online, with one in-person away day per year. Closing date: 5pm, Monday 2 February 2026.

Volunteer Football Coach / Sports Session Helper (Children’s Football)

Taylor Sports and Wellbeing

Taylor Sports and Wellbeing is looking for enthusiastic and reliable volunteers to support our fun football training sessions for Reception and Year 1 children. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain practical experience in a positive, community-focused environment while helping young children develop confidence, coordination, and a love for sport.

Session Details:

�� Bedford Park – Foster Hill Road Entrance

�� 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

���� Sessions for boys and girls (ages 4–6)

About the Role

As a volunteer, you will assist with delivering engaging, safe, and inclusive football-based activities for young children. You’ll help create a fun learning environment where every child feels encouraged and supported.

Key Responsibilities

Assisting lead coaches during football training sessions

Helping set up and pack away equipment

Encouraging participation, teamwork, and positive behaviour

Supporting children of all abilities in a safe and friendly manner

Acting as a positive role model at all times

Who We’re Looking For

We’d love to hear from you if:

⚽ You are studying a sports-related course whether at sixth-form, college or University and need to gain placement or volunteer hours

�� You have a passion for sport and enjoy working with children

�� You hold any sports coaching or football qualifications (desirable but not essential)

��️ You hold a valid DBS certificate (or are willing to obtain one)

�� You are reliable, patient, and enthusiastic

Experience working with young children in a sports, school, or community setting is highly valued but not required.

What You’ll Gain

Valuable hands-on coaching experience

The opportunity to work with qualified coaches

Experience that supports sports, education, or childcare career pathways

A chance to make a real difference in your local community

A fun and rewarding volunteering environment

Interested?

Come and help us inspire the next generation of little football stars! ��⚽

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Southampton and the surrounding area are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Volunteer Profile 

This is a 6 weeks fixed duration position. As a volunteer you will support the NIAS  Charity shop team in day to day activities. The role will require you to be fit, proactive, have good customer services skills and be committed to NIAS values (Doing Good the Right Way) and standards set by the NIAS charity shops. 

Main responsibilities

The role of a NIAS charity shop volunteer is varied and covers a variety of responsibilities. The following list highlights some of the main tasks you will need to carry out day to day. These responsibilities can change depending on the needs of the shop so you will need to be adaptable in your approach to managing different tasks. 

-  Customer service 

-       Communicating the NIAS mission and charity objectives to customers who enquire

-Accepting, sorting and pricing donations of furniture, clothing and bric-a-brac

-Shop merchandising 

-Researching unusual or high value items 

-Operating the till

-Keep a record of donations and working with delivery team to coordinate delivery and collections

-Helping with collections/deliveries/maintenance 

-Accepting phone calls and emails from donors 

-Ensuring the shop is kept tidy and clean at all times

Benefits for you 

Volunteers provide vital support to our shops and the overall mission of NIAS. Whether you are looking to gain some experience or just want to enjoy your time working in a friendly environment we will support you to ensure your time as a volunteer is fun, rewarding and worthwhile. 

We offer

-Fun and friendly working environment 

-Chance to gain some new skills in retail 

-Support a charitable cause helping children in poverty gain access to better education 

-Work a part of a team of like-minded people.

Who is NIAS 

We champion our cause that research, policy and practice ought to be coordinated to produce real benefits for the poor in society. We do this by offering a platform for change-makers from all works of life to get involved in solving some of the most pressing challenges of our time in the areas of; poverty reduction, human rights, climate change and governance in Africa, through research and practical actions.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Surrey are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Reading are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.

Do you want to be inspired by the impact of education? Schools across Medway are looking for skilled volunteers to support education by becoming school governors.

What will you be doing?

Governing bodies are responsible for the strategic management of a school and will make decisions about a wide range of issues

The core responsibilities involved are:

• Ensuring accountability
• Providing support and challenge to the schools senior leadership team
• Monitoring and evaluating the school’s progress
• Budgetary allocation and control
• Shaping plans for school improvement and overseeing their implementation
• Setting the school’s aims and values
• Appointing senior members of staff including the Head Teacher

The governing body is usually split in to a small number of committees, each responsible for one area such as finance or pupil achievement. These committees will meet separately from the main governing body to discuss relevant issues in more detail. Discussion is then fed back at a full governing body meeting.

A school governing body is made up of representatives from the school, the parents, the local authority and the local community.

What are we looking for?

You don’t need any specific skills or experience to be a school governor. You must be over 18, but you don’t need to be a parent or have experience working in education. Often, it’s the outside perspective you can bring that a school needs.

Professional experience in areas such as HR, finance, law, or project management are all useful to a school. But soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem solving are also great additions.

What difference will you make?

Governors make decisions that affect schools for years to come. Our recent impact survey found that our volunteers bring £9.9 million worth of value to schools each year, and 9/10 volunteers would recommend being a governor to a friend. 

As a governor, you can visit the school to gain an understanding of the culture and ethos and to get the most out of the role. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet children, parents, and teachers, and see the impact of your work first-hand.

What's in it for the volunteer?

Volunteering as a school governor is a challenging but rewarding role. As part of the governing board, you’ll:

• help schools overcome challenges to ensure a bright future for children in your community
• work collaboratively with people from different backgrounds, challenging your own perspective and broadening your network
• gain experience outside of your job description and skills you can bring back to work

Before you apply

You will need to complete an application form and will have an interview with the school. DBS checks will be taken up.