Volunteer roles in staines

A cancer diagnosis brings extra expense from day one. Every child or young person with a cancer diagnosis has a short-term disability and needs to apply for Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payments (PIP). The forms are long and complex and sometimes families need advice or support to ensure they include enough information to receive the correct level of financial support.

Your empathy, understanding and ability to identify the key information to enable families and young people to claim financial assistance will have a tremendous impact easing stress and allowing them to concentrate on supporting themselves physically and emotionally.

You will be an important part of the team and provide practical support to young people and families completing DLA and PIP forms which can seem lengthy and daunting to young people, and families. Each family’s needs are different, however support via benefits such as DLA and PIP are usually one of the first recommendations made to families seeking financial advice.

What you’ll be doing:

• Providing face to face to support to families of children and young people with a diagnosis of cancer
• Actively listening to families and asking relevant questions to enable them to identify specific support needs
• Supporting families to complete complex forms to enable them to claim DLA or PIP
• As a key part of the team recognise when to ask for other team members for advice or support

This will include:

• Looking at the DLA/PIP form with the family or young person
• Explaining the information Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) needs
• Coaching the family to include as much detail in their answers as necessary

The practical support required for this role will vary from taking the time to read through an application with a young person or family, who require a second opinion.  Others may require questions to be re-phrased to simplify them and make them more applicable to their lived experience.

You will be providing guidance on how to answer the questions on the forms and useful information to include. It may occasionally include filling in the form with the family/young person when they are not able to complete it themselves

Booking slots will be flexible to meet the individual need (30 minutes up to 2 hours)

There is scope and opportunity in this role for development into supporting families or young people with appeals.

What we’ll give you:

• The satisfaction of using your skills and talents to make a tangible difference in the lives of young cancer patients
• A solid introduction and first-hand experience of working in the charity sector with the opportunity to meet other Teams across the organisation and gain a clear insight into the day-to-day work of Young Lives vs Cancer
• Full induction and training with support from a dedicated volunteer manager
• The support of a friendly and knowledgeable team
• Experience of working with a social care team and opportunity to develop communication and planning skills and advocating for families
• Experience of working with and directly supporting children and young people with cancer and their families
• And of course, we’ll cover any out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Volunteering Policy!

You should be able to volunteer for 2 hours per week during Monday to Friday between 10am and 3pm at our Home from Home in London WC1.  We are flexible as to days or times to fit in with your other commitments.

We may close applications for this role early depending on applications

Graphic Designer & Marketing Volunteer

About us

The Museum of Brands, nestled in the vibrant Notting Hill area of West London, is a one-of-a-kind institution that brings to life the fascinating history of consumer culture through branding, packaging, and advertisements. Our collection showcases over 200 years of social and technological change, offering visitors a nostalgic and insightful journey through history. Established by Robert Opie, the museum is a treasure trove of everyday items that might have been thrown away by past generations, but now tell the story of how consumer trends shaped society.

The Role 

We’re looking for talented Graphic Design & Marketing Volunteers to help create vibrant, on-brand visual content for both our social media and in-house marketing materials. You'll be working with Canva and Adobe tools to bring campaigns to life, from digital posters and Instagram carousels to screen graphics and printed flyers.

This offers an opportunity for hands-on experience in the GLAM (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums) Cultural Sector, ideal for students or individuals with a strong interest in marketing, graphic design and content creation.

What you’ll do:

· Design digital and print marketing assets using Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or InDesign including:

o Social media graphics (posts, stories, highlight covers)

o Posters, flyers, leaflets

o Screens and TV slides for internal displays

· Follow and apply our brand identity guidelines to all content

· Translate event listings, updates, and key messages into engaging visual content

· Support and expand ongoing campaign visuals - while also contributing your own creative ideas

· Help plan and schedule social media content using tools such as Meta Business Suite or Hootsuite

· Collaborate with the wider team on seasonal campaigns, exhibitions, and public programmes

· Stay aware of current design trends and help ensure our visual identity remains fresh and dynamic

· Analyse the performance of social media posts, using data insights to adjust and improve future content strategies.

Additional Duties

•  Front of House Support: Train as a Museum Front of House assistant, covering Reception duties, welcoming visitors, handling calls, and assisting with other interdepartmental tasks as needed.

Who we’re looking for:

• Has experience using Canva and/or Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, or InDesign)
• Has a strong eye for layout, typography, and colour, with a good understanding of visual branding
• Can confidently follow a style guide but also bring your own creative flair
• Has good written communication skills and can transform information into clear, engaging design
• Is well-organised, proactive, and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Bonus: an interest in museums, heritage, arts or cultural marketing

Availability

We're excited to offer this opportunity as either a volunteer role or a student placement, ideal for anyone looking to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic and creative environment.

Student Placement: This placement is perfect for someone who can contribute 2–3 days per week, with flexible options for full days (8 hours) or half days (4 hours) based on your schedule.

Volunteering: We are looking for individuals who can offer at least one half day per week for a minimum of three months. This helps create a consistent and valuable experience for both you and our marketing team.

Whether you're hoping to enhance your CV, gain industry insight, or support a cause you care about, we’d be delighted to welcome you aboard.

This placement requires in-person work at The Museum of Brands, London, W11 1QT during the week.

Expenses

Travel expenses up to £5 will be paid, with up to an additional £5 for lunch expenses if you are here for over 6 hours.

Training and support

We have an induction process that ensures you have the information needed to thrive during your time with us. Training is primarily ‘on-the-job’, guided by our Marketing Officer. You'll receive ongoing support, regular feedback, and opportunities for 1-to-1 discussions to enhance your skills and experience. We’re also happy to provide references and CV support to aid in your future employment opportunities.

Our Commitment

The Museum of Brands is committed to:

• Equality and fairness: We believe in providing equal opportunities for all volunteers, ensuring fairness in all aspects of the role.
• Safe working environment: Your safety is paramount, and we comply with all health and safety regulations.
• Confidentiality: We adhere to the principles of the Data Protection Act to ensure your privacy and data security.

Please note: Applicants from some overseas countries are required to have a relevant work permit or student visa in order to volunteer in the U.K. We’ll need to see this for our records before volunteering can commence.

"We are looking for 3 candidates to join our volunteer enhanced professional development programme and gain real world experience in your chosen field). While we only have 3 vacancies available through this programme, other options are available if your skills match our criteria".

QuilomboUK is looking for a PR & Marketing Assistant, who would love to join a growing organization. Quilombo UK works with the objective to promote different arts, sports, and cultures to encourage an intercultural understanding between different communities and societies; To promote cultural awareness in the community and educate, regardless of nationality or origin, about race diversity and mutual respect; To promote good health and wellbeing; and run a community organisation with a strong focus on individuals, the community and society.

This role offers a great opportunity for the right person who is looking to; gain experience in marketing; develop their skills and management experience; or just simply ‘give something back to their community’. The role provides you flexibility and autonomy at work. Where necessary specific training will also be provided to help you develop and grow your skill set.

As a PR & Marketing Assistant at Quilombo UK, you will play a vital role in providing general marketing support while actively engaging in various marketing tasks to contribute to the overall success of our initiatives. This position offers opportunities for personal and professional development within the different units of Marketing, including Social Media, Images, Video, and Website. Your responsibilities will encompass a wide range of tasks, from data collection and report compilation to active participation in campaign organization and development. You will also be actively contributing to real-life marketing projects and playing a key role in planning, developing, and implementing effective marketing strategies. This role requires a proactive and creative individual who will promote our organization through various channels, manage social media presence, contribute to innovative marketing programs, and engage in comprehensive market research.

This role is perfect for an enthusiastic and creative individual who is eager to gain hands-on experience in various aspects of marketing, from strategic planning to social media management.

Main tasks:

• Working on real life marketing projects

• Planning, developing and implementing marketing strategies.

• Promote the organisation through Social Media channels , and through maintaining and updating information about the organisation. 

• Managing the organisation’s social media pages by posting updates and responding to comments and messages

• Submitting ideas for marketing programmes/campaigns designed to enhance and grow the company’s brand

• Organising marketing campaigns

• Creating, organising and delivering presentations 

• Conducting market research and analysing participants’ reports, questionnaires and surveys. 

• Using social media and website analytics to find out the effectiveness of ongoing campaigns and understand the way users interact with the site and social media posts. 

• Contribute to staff meetings, and other internal meetings with views and suggestions.

• Analyze information to provide actionable insights and recommendations to the Directors

• Receive and interpret briefings from the Directors, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of organizational objectives

• Develop and deliver clear and concise communication to internal and external stakeholders

• Translate briefings into actionable outcomes, coordinating with various teams and individuals

·

Training and support available:

• Social media

• Canvas

Skills:

Essential

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Attention to detail

• Flexibility and willingness to learn new skills

• Problem-solving, planning and creative-thinking skills

• Time management and prioritisation abilities

• Tactical understanding of all primary social media platforms

• Knowledge and understanding of online and offline marketing tactics

• Good Teamworking skills

• Strong organisational skills

• Numerical skills, which includes analysing and compiling spreadsheets

• Social Media skills.

• Office based skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Adheres to the organisation’s key objectives 

• Delivering quality work in a timely manner

• Self-driven

• Ability to multi-task and adhere to deadlines

Desirable

• Committed to working with the community with a passion for helping others less fortunate. QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

• Good Knowledge of market research techniques and database

• Previous experience working in an office environment, dealing with administrative tasks or using a product database.

When needed:

Willing to volunteer at least 12 hours a week, for a duration of 16 weeks as part of a Personal Development Program (PDP).

QUILOMBO UK is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace environment that values diversity and promotes equality for all employees. As part of our commitment to upholding these principles, we adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Equality Act 2010. We firmly believe in creating a workplace where all individuals are respected and treated fairly. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated.

We are looking for someone who knows the CSA / CMS system to either do some on-line advice sessions or to be on the board readily available to answer CSA questions. This is an on-line role so needs access to facebook and an email address will be provided

We are looking for trained or experienced Mckenzie friends to offer some scottish family law legal advice on our groups. We have a few volunteers already but they dont know scottish law.

We are looking for someone training / trained / or have experience in family courts for Scotland

Single Parents Support and Advice Services is a Charitable Incorporated Company with over 35000 members UK wide. 

Our charity founder and director, Nicola Booth, took the initiative to set up SPSAS in 2012, with the purpose to reduce isolation, loneliness, and to promote equal and fair treatment amongst Single Parents and their Children. We also aim to help, advise and support single / lone parents by giving them access to support and services that they normally would not be able to access for varied reasons. We try to eliminate the stigma attached to being a single parent in society, within all ethnicities across the UK. 

Our charity runs solely on donations and all members of our charity, including the director are currently working on a non-paid voluntary basis. Despite these hurdles, we feel we have made a positive impact with our services. 

We are looking for a solicitor or barrister to occasionally supervise our legal student advisors currentlystudying LPC/BPC. The role is based remotely

Key Responsibilities:

Your duties will include, but are not limited to, will include the supervision of students carrying out legal work, including some legal advice activity, 

Essential

·Be a qualified solicitor/barrister with experience of family law and various other laws;

·Have a valid practice certificate 

·Commitat least 1 day a week for a minimum 3-month period

·Have an enthusiasm for working with students;

·Have proven networking and public speaking skills;

·Be dedicated to providing a stimulating learning environment for students;

·Have a demonstrable commitment to pro bono, ideally through pro bono work or volunteering;

·Have an understanding of and commitment to the roles of both clinics and pro bono in the provision of legal services;

·Have excellent organisational and management skills;

·Have excellent verbal and written skills and ability to convey complex information in an accessible way;

·Be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines ;

·Be able to prioritise tasks;

·Be able to work as part of a team;

·Be able to use computer and information technology;

·Demonstrate enthusiasm, initiative and motivation

We hope we have caught your interest and very much appreciate it if you would agree to become a volunteer for SPSAS.

We are looking for social workers to join our social worker and safeguarding team to give background help and advice to members who are in need of this.

Someone who can work as part of a team but also on their own when needed, we will take on trainees as we have a supervisor in this team

• A great opportunity to volunteer as Cafe Assistant at a unique heritage site, London Museum of Water and Steam
• Based at the historic Kew Bridge Waterworks the museum tells the story of London's water supply, the site, its people and the amazing pumping engines that helped to make London the city it is today
• Cafe Assistants provide a warm and friendly greeting for all our visitors                                              
•  They should work collaboratively with Visitor Welcome volunteers and Duty Managers
•  Help to prepare hot drinks and snacks and to take responsibility for money handling
• There is an opportunity to gain a Level 1 Certificate in Food Hygiene  

We are looking for someone to replace our current housing advice role as she is having to take time off. If you have expertese in this area please apply!

Description

Commitment: 2 hours per week for 16 weeks

Dates: Third week of January 2026 – Third week of May 2026

Location: Remote (online)

Victory Afghanistan is a Chicago-registered, women-led 501(c)(3) educational charity supporting over 800 Afghan girls and women through free online English and mentoring programmes. Our students, aged 11 to 40, have been barred from formal education since 2021 under the current political regime. Despite this, they continue to study online each week with courage, determination, and hope for the future.

We are now recruiting Conversational English Partners for our sixth semester beginning in January 2026.

Role Description

Conversational Partners meet with small groups of Afghan girls who are already fluent or near-fluent in English and simply wish to practise speaking and listening in a friendly, supportive environment.

• Each session lasts one hour, twice a week, for 16 weeks.
• There is no set curriculum, but we can help you plan interesting discussion topics or theme-based sessions if you prefer structure.
• Students may also suggest their own weekly topics.
• The focus is on confidence, connection, and conversation.

Who We’re Looking For

Ideal volunteers will have:

• Clear spoken English and strong communication skills
• Empathy, patience, and sensitivity to cultural differences
• A genuine interest in helping others learn and grow
• Reliability and commitment to attend sessions consistently

You do not need teaching experience,  just an open mind and a willingness to engage in meaningful conversation with remarkable young women.

We are looking for a new on-line counselor to join our organisation. This will mean running an email service and even a Skype / zoom service if you wish.

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

At Childline we are actively recruiting new Volunteers. 

What will I be doing?

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

What impact will this have?

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

Training

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

Experienced Garden Volunteer

The beautiful, award-winning Memorial Garden behind the Museum of Brands was established in 1990 as a peaceful oasis for those living with HIV/AIDS and using the hospice and other services provided in this building when it was the London Lighthouse. The sheltered garden is described by visitors as ‘a haven’,

‘an oasis’, and ‘a hidden gem’. The garden is looked after by a small group of volunteers and the Gardener who originally developed it, working within a very small budget.

This is a small but complex garden, thoughtfully designed and rich in variety. You’ll find opportunities to work on a wide range of tasks — from detailed pruning and planting to structural maintenance and seasonal care. It’s an excellent setting for anyone looking to gain broad hands-on experience, whether you're training in horticulture or simply want to deepen your skills in a purposeful environment.

We are looking for experienced garden volunteers to support the Gardener with the following:

· General garden maintenance including weeding, pruning, deadheading, and mulching

· Planting and replanting seasonal flowers, shrubs, and small trees

· Watering plants and maintaining irrigation as needed

· Lifting and moving heavy pots, tools, compost bags, and garden waste

· Ladder work for tasks such as trimming hedges, cleaning gutters, or maintaining climbing plants

· Sawing and light carpentry, including pruning larger branches and assisting with minor repairs

· Clearing leaves and debris to keep paths and seating areas safe and accessible

· Maintaining and cleaning garden tools and equipment

What we’re looking for:

· A passion for gardening and some hands-on experience (professional or personal)

· Either a trainee gardener, horticulture student, or someone already working in gardening or landscaping or an experienced gardener wanting to give back through volunteer work

· Willingness to carry out practical tasks, including some lifting and ladder work

· Comfortable working outdoors in different weather conditions

· A positive, team-focused attitude with good attention to safety

What you’ll gain:

· Valuable hands-on gardening experience in a unique, award-winning setting

· The chance to be part of a friendly, purpose-driven team

· The satisfaction of helping maintain a space that’s deeply meaningful to others

Training and support:

You will first be invited for a meeting with our gardener, Gary. Volunteers are given relevant training for any tasks carried out, opportunities for regular feedback and we remain open to suggestions on how we can improve the volunteer experience.

Availability:

Our garden volunteers currently come in together on a Thursday.  However volunteering in the garden can occur on any day while the Museum is open (Monday-Saturday 10-5, Sunday 11-5).  We are looking volunteers who can volunteer over a period of at least 3 months.  Ideally you will be able to start immediately, although this is not essential.

Expenses:

Travel expenses up to £5 will be paid, with up to an additional £5 for lunch expenses if you are here for over 6 hours.

Please note: Applicants from some overseas countries are required to have a relevant work permit or student visa to volunteer in the U.K. We’ll need to see this for our records before volunteering can commence.

Emmaus UK is currently undertaking feasibility work to consider the incorporation of an SPV which can become a Registered Provider of Social Housing on behalf of the Emmaus federation in the UK. This is an exciting prospect and would unlock significant potential to achieve our strategic objective to help more people.

To ensure that we are best positioned to pursue this opportunity we are looking to build the expertise of the Emmaus UK Board in:

· Housing Association/Housing Expertise or relevant regulatory expertise - providing strategic input as we develop the subsidiary and proceed with becoming a Registered Provider

· Legal expertise - ideally in a relevant field e.g. charity or corporate governance, housing, property, regulation etc

· Property Acquisition and Development - to support us with providing high quality services and managing sustainable growth

Joining the EUK Board at such a significant moment will enable you to play a key role in the future of Emmaus. You will be an integral part of developing the movement and central to making strategic decisions within EUK as the national body.

Further details:

Location: Home based online meetings.  Two annual face-to-face meetings

Reporting to: EUK Chair and board of trustees

Remuneration: This role is voluntary.  Any travel expenses will be reimbursed.

The attached applicant pack contains further details including the role description and more about Emmaus UK.

To apply, please email your CV and cover letter to the EUK Governance Manager the Email address can be found in the application pack.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 31 December 2025.

Those shortlisted will be informed on Tuesday 06 January 2026 and invited to an interview conducted via Microsoft Teams on either Monday 12 January 2026 or Wednesday 14 January 2026. All applicants will be informed of the interview outcome by Friday 16 January 2026.