On-site volunteer roles

About the Role

Do you enjoy fixing things and taking on practical maintenance tasks? We are looking for a reliable and hands-on volunteer to support the upkeep of our charity shops.

This role focuses on maintenance and repairs, helping ensure our shops are safe, functional, and fit for purpose. Your support will reduce external maintenance costs and allow more funds to go directly towards helping animals in need.

Key Responsibilities

As a Shop Maintenance & Handyman Volunteer, your focus will be on practical repair and upkeep tasks, including:

• Carrying out general repairs and maintenance across our charity shops
• Fixing fixtures and fittings such as shelving, rails, doors, locks, and furniture
• Assembling or repairing donated items suitable for resale
• Painting, decorating, and maintaining shop interiors
• Identifying maintenance issues and proactively addressing them where possible
• Reporting any larger or specialist repairs that require external support
• Supporting with small improvement or refurbishment projects

Additional (desirable) support:

• Assisting with moving stock or equipment between locations
• Helping with collections or deliveries if you hold a driving licence

What We’re Looking For

• Someone practical and confident in carrying out DIY and maintenance tasks

• Experience in general maintenance, repairs, or a trade (informal experience is welcome)

• A proactive, problem-solving approach

• Ability to work independently and manage tasks effectively

• Willingness to follow health and safety guidance

• A positive attitude and commitment to supporting the charity

• Desirable (but not essential):

• A full, clean driving licence

• Confidence driving a van or willingness to assist with transporting stock

• Ability to support with lifting and moving items (with appropriate training)

Time Commitment

We are flexible and can work around your availability, but we are ideally looking for someone who can offer regular support (e.g. a few hours per week or month).

What You’ll Gain

• The opportunity to use your practical skills for a meaningful cause
• A chance to meet new people and be part of a friendly team
• Hands-on experience in a retail and charity environment
• The satisfaction of seeing tangible results from your work

What Difference Will You Make?

By keeping our shops well-maintained and operational, you will play a vital role in supporting our income generation. Every repair and improvement you make helps our shops run more efficiently—ensuring more funds can go towards protecting and caring for animals in need.

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

We hope you are interested in volunteering for the South London Branch.

Join us in making a real difference to the lives of animals in need.

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and depending on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

As a maintenance (handyman) volunteer at SeeAbility, you will support the supported living home in Banbury by maintaining a safe, functional, and pleasant environment for people we support and our teams.Volunteers needed for a few hours a week or fortnightly.

This position requires a reliable, skilled, and proactive individual who can carry out general maintenance tasks and assist with small repairs around the property. Your efforts will directly contribute to the well-being of the people we support and ensure that the home remains a comfortable and secure place for all.

Skills Required 

•   Perform general maintenance and minor repairs to the building and facilities, including but not limited to:  carpentry, painting, decorating and repairing

• Assist with the installation of furniture, fixtures, or equipment, ensuring they meet safety standards.

• Ensure that all tools and materials are properly maintained and stored safely.

• Help identify potential maintenance issues before they become problems.

• Report more complex repairs or safety concerns to the Home Manager

• Support the care home during renovation or redecoration projects.

• Work collaboratively with other volunteers and staff to ensure the upkeep of the home.

• Volunteers will not be asked to carry out any electrical or plumbing works

• Adhere to health and safety guidelines, ensuring all tasks are completed with care and in compliance with regulations

Benefits

• Being a maintenance (handyman) volunteer provides a key service by helping to keep our homes in good condition. 
• This is a fantastic opportunity to have a direct impact upon the lives of others.
• SeeAbility provides training and this can help you to develop new skills.
• Volunteers can claim travel expenses.

About Us

Registered as The Royal School for the Blind, SeeAbility is one of the oldest disability charities in the UK. In 2024 we  celebrated our 225th anniversary, having pioneered specialist support across multiple generations since 1799!

We specialise in supporting people who have learning disabilities, autism, complex needs, who may also have sight loss. Our support ranges from providing person-centred support across our many supported-living and residential care provisions. Furthermore, we provide specialist eye-care services to children and adults alike and assists people to find paid employment for the very first time.

SeeAbility provides the resources and expertise that make this possible, we support people to live ambitious lives and achieve things they never thought possible.

Volunteer with Older People - Elders Programme

Location: Battersea, London

Organisation: Katherine Low Settlement (KLS)

Katherine Low Settlement is a community charity in Battersea that has been supporting local people since 1924. Our Elders Programme brings older people together every week through social activities, shared meals and gentle exercise. For many of our members, these sessions are the highlight of their week. The volunteers who show up and make them feel welcome are the reason they keep coming back.

We're looking for warm, reliable people to join us across a range of roles. You don't need experience or qualifications, just patience, a friendly face and a genuine enjoyment of spending time with older adults.

Choose a role that suits you

Lunch Club Volunteer - Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays, 11:00am to 2:00pm
Welcome members, chat with them on the minibus journey to and from KLS, help serve food and support with tidying up. You'll also sit down to eat lunch with members, which is often the highlight of the day.

Minibus Support Volunteer - Tuesdays, 9:00 to 10:45am
Travel with members on the minibus to and from KLS, making sure everyone feels safe, comfortable and looked after on the journey in.

Chair Based Exercise Assistant - Mondays, 1:30 to 4:00pm
Support older people to stay active and connected through gentle weekly exercise. You'll help set up, welcome members, offer encouragement during the session and provide a bit of extra one-to-one support where needed.

Digital Champion (Tech Beginners) - Thursdays, 11:00am to 12:30pm
Help older people take their first steps with technology. This structured weekly class covers the basics, including smartphones, sending messages and getting online safely. You'll support the group, answer questions and keep things relaxed and encouraging.

Digital Champion (Tech Together) - Tuesdays, 1:30 to 3:30pm
Support older people in a friendly weekly drop-in where members get help with their own devices or use our tablets and Chromebooks. You'll listen to what each person needs, answer questions and help them build confidence at their own pace.

Digital Champion (Tech Your Time) - Thursdays, 1:30 to 3:00pm
Help older people develop their digital skills further in a structured intermediate session. You'll support members as they build on the basics, practise everyday tasks and grow in confidence and independence online.

What we're looking for

- Friendly, patient people who enjoy spending time with older adults
- No experience needed, just a positive attitude and willingness to show up
- A commitment of one session per week for at least six months

"It's one of the best things I've done. Everyone is so welcoming, you leave every session smiling." - KLS volunteer, Tech Your Time

"It's the highlight of their week, and mine." - KLS volunteer, Lunch Club

Ready to get involved?

- Apply on Charity Jobs
- Apply on our website: Search Katherine Low Settlement

Volunteer with Refugee Young People - Help with Homework and Activities

Location: Battersea, London

Programme: Future Foundations - Katherine Low Settlement

Join our Future Foundations programme and support young people from refugee and newly arrived backgrounds to thrive in school and beyond. Each club blends focused homework support with fun, creative activities that help build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging. You'll be part of something that gives young people a brighter start in life, and you'll still get school holidays off.

Every hour you spend helps a young person feel more confident, more connected and more empowered to succeed.

Choose a club that works for you

Junior Homework Club (Ages 7-11) - Thursdays, 4:00 to 7:00pm
Support primary-aged children with reading, homework and structured play.

Senior Homework Club (Ages 11-14) - Wednesdays, 4:30 to 7:30pm
Help senior school aged students with schoolwork, confidence and communication, then join in with group games and creative activities.

Youth Homework Club (Ages 14-20) - Mondays, 4:00 to 7:00pm
Help older, newly arrived students with schoolwork, confidence and communication, then join in with group games and creative activities.

What you'll do

- Support young people with homework, reading and school projects
- Build confidence through games, conversation and encouragement
- Help run arts, crafts, sports or group activities
- Work alongside experienced youth workers and other brilliant volunteers

What you'll get

- Full training and ongoing support
- The chance to make a real difference in a young person's life
- A friendly community of staff and volunteers
- Great experience for anyone interested in education, youth work or community support

"Volunteering at Future Foundations has been such a rewarding experience. Seeing the young people improve in their reading and confidence week by week is incredible. One student told me they felt 'smarter' after we worked on homework together. That was a real highlight for me." - Future Foundations Volunteer

What we're looking for

- Kind, patient and enthusiastic people
- Good listeners who enjoy spending time with children or teens
- No experience needed, just a willingness to help and learn
- Volunteers from all backgrounds are welcome

We ask for a commitment of one afternoon per week, for at least six months (term time only).

Future Foundations is part of Katherine Low Settlement, a community charity in Battersea. We work with young people from refugee and newly arrived backgrounds through mentoring, homework clubs and educational support.

Ready to make a difference?

- Apply on Charity Jobs
- Apply on our website: search Katherine Low Settlement