Volunteer roles for the Social Welfare sector

Life Coaching & Mental Health Lead

• Role Type: Specialist Volunteer / Service Delivery
• Time Commitment: 1–2 hours per week (Flexible)
• Salary: Volunteer

About Us:
MINDSET Charity is a brand-new, grassroots, volunteer-led charity based in Ealing, West London. Our mission is to support the mental wellbeing, emotional resilience, and personal growth of local men and boys. Through positive role models, structured mentoring, and growth-mindset coaching, we aim to build a stronger, more supportive community from the ground up.

The Role:
While our Charity Manager handles the operations, we need a qualified professional to be the clinical heart of our delivery. You will oversee the safety and quality of our mentoring programmes, ensuring our volunteer coaches are delivering effective, asset-based support to our participants.

Key Responsibilities:

• Review and sign off on our 6 and 12-Week Growth Curriculum.
• Provide light technical supervision or peer-support check-ins for our volunteer mentors.
• Help assess participant intake forms to ensure our programme is the right fit for their needs.

What We Are Looking For:

• A certified Life Coach, BACP-registered therapist, or highly experienced Youth Worker.
• A strong grasp of growth mindset principles and cognitive behavioral approaches.
• Excellent emotional intelligence and leadership skills.

We are excited to recieve your completed application, which should include;

1. Your up-to-date CV
2. Cover Letter, stating why you wish to volunteer with us at MINDSET and what you would bring to this volunteer role and to our new start-up charity.

VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT & ONBOARDING SPECIALIST (The Talent Scout) - VOLUNTEER ROLE

• Location: 100% Remote (Work from anywhere in London or the UK)
• Commitment: 2–3 hours per week (Highly flexible, manage your own hours across the week)
• Salary: Voluntary (with incredible real-world HR experience, a massive boost to your CV, and a direct hand in building a life-saving squad)

The Spark: Why We Need You

London is one of the most electric, fast-paced cities on Earth. Yet underneath the noise, it is facing a quiet crisis. In boroughs like Tower Hamlets, nearly 40% of our neighbors report feeling chronically lonely and isolated. For many adults aged 16+, urban isolation is a heavy, daily reality.

We are SUNSHINE, and we are here to smash that isolation with pure, unadulterated, radical positivity!

We take over public parks, un-used spaces and high streets with high-vibrancy weekend pop-ups—bringing bright neon t-shirts, upbeat music, handmade positive quote cards, and literal bubble machines directly to the pavement to turn strangers into neighbours.

Our mission is buzzing, and applications from passionate people wanting to help us are starting to roll in. Now, we need our ultimate matchmaker. We need an organised, warm, and highly communicative Volunteer Recruitment & Onboarding Specialist to help us scout, vet, and welcome the founding squad that will power this joy revolution!

Your Mission: What You’ll Do

As our founding Recruitment Lead, you will sit within our HR working group. You will be the vital gatekeeper of SUNSHINE’s frontline and digital culture, working to:

• Review Incoming Talent: Monitor our onboarding Google Form, reviewing incoming profiles from potential frontline "Joy Catalysts" and behind-the-scenes creative masters.
• The 5-Minute Digital Handshake: Connect with successful applicants via a quick, warm, and friendly WhatsApp chat or voice note to check their energy, answer their questions, and make them feel incredibly hyped to join us.
• Onboard with Ease: Ensure new team members are smoothly integrated into our safe, private volunteer WhatsApp coordination chats and have access to their relevant Google Drive folders.
• Coordinate the Roster: Help map out and manage our volunteer shift schedules so our "Sunshine Benches" are always perfectly staffed with friendly faces.

Who You Are (The Perfect Fit)

You do not need a senior corporate HR directorship or a master's degree in recruitment.

We are looking for a human who is:

• A Natural People Person: You have an incredibly warm, encouraging, and bubbly digital presence. You genuinely love connecting with people and making them feel valued.
• Superbly Organised: You use spreadsheets, WhatsApp, and Google Forms with total comfort, and you take pride in moving applicants through a process without dropping the ball.
• A Reliable Communicator: You are proactive, responsive, and comfortable managing your own tasks asynchronously across the week.
• Passionate About People: You believe that a volunteer's journey should be exciting and supportive from day one, and you want to use your organisational powers to fight loneliness.

Why Lead With Us?

• Build the Culture: You will have a direct hand in hand-picking and shaping the core team culture of a fast-scaling London movement.
• Incredible CV Capital: Gaining hands-on recruitment, talent pooling, and onboarding experience for a launching charity is a high-utility asset for any professional HR, management, or administrative portfolio.
• Ultimate Flexibility: This role fits entirely around your day job, studies, or personal life. Check applications and send voice notes from your phone whenever it suits you.
• Pure Joy: You will be the very first person to welcome our volunteers, setting the positive, vibrant tone that allows them to go out and change lives across London.

Ready to Help Us Build the Squad?

Let’s make something beautiful together.

To Apply: Please send a brief introductory note and a link to your LinkedIn profile or CV directly through CharityJob. Tell us a little bit about your background and why you want to be the champion who builds the SUNSHINE team!

SUNSHINE Charity

Shining a light on loneliness

Are you a natural coordinator, organiser, or community builder?

Do you have the strategic vision to take a brilliant grassroots idea and scale it across London?

We are launching a brand-new, volunteer-run charity in the inner London area with a massive, colourful mission: to smash social isolation and loneliness through pure positivity, bubbly energy, and zero-pressure human connection.

We are looking for our Core Leadership Crew to help steer the ship, manage the operations, and turn this movement into a sustainable, long-term lifeline.

Roles We Are Looking For:

We are looking for one incredible individual (or a small, dedicated team) to step into key management and committee roles:

• Co-Founder / Operations Coordinator: Help manage our weekly volunteer schedules, coordinate local park/venue permits, and keep our launch calendar organised.
• Volunteer & Community Lead: Act as the main point of contact for our incoming volunteers, ensuring they feel welcomed, energized, and ready for action.
• Governance / Secretary Lead: Help us organise our initial core policies as we work towards official UK charity registration.

The Commitment:

• Flexible & Remote-Friendly: Strategic planning can be done from your sofa, with occasional weekend attendance at our lively inner London pop-ups.
• Sustainable Hours: Roughly 2 to 4 hours a week. We are fully committed to preventing burnout and ensuring this role brings you just as much joy as it brings the community.

Who You Are:

You don't need a background in the charity sector. We are looking for people who are organised, reliable, proactive, and deeply passionate about mental health and community wellbeing.

If you have experience in project management, event planning, HR, or team leadership, you will absolutely thrive here.

Why Lead With Us?

This is your chance to step into a founding leadership role from Day One.

You will have a direct hand in building a charity framework from scratch, gaining incredible executive experience, and creating a literal life-saver for lonely Londoners.

Ready to share the driver's seat and create something beautiful?

Get in touch with a short introduction about your background and why you want to help us lead this joy revolution!

SUNSHINE Charity

Shining a light on loneliness

Volunteer Charities & Crowdfunder Support Manager (Remote UK) Organisation:

Influential Stars Location: Remote (UK based). London or Herts preferred (not essential)

Commitment: Flexible hours depending on organisational needs

Contract Type: Volunteer About Us Influential Stars is a purpose driven platform connecting creators, supporters, and causes through exclusive experiences and campaigns that raise funds for UK charitable organisations.

We are a growing team committed to delivering meaningful impact through professionally managed experiences.

Our Story Influential Stars was founded by Lisa Connell, who is living with an inoperable brain tumour and has spent many years raising awareness and support for UK causes.

The platform was created from a deeply personal belief that influence, connection, and community can be powerful forces for good when brought together in the right way.

Volunteers play a vital role in helping turn that vision into real world impact, enabling experiences that raise funds, create joy for winners, and support charitable organisations across the UK.

The Role We are seeking a compassionate, confident, and highly professional Volunteer Charities and Crowdfunder Support Manager to build and maintain relationships with charitable organisations, community groups, and individuals using crowdfunding pages.

This role involves guiding partners from initial contact through onboarding and maintaining ongoing rapport, ensuring they feel supported, understood, and valued throughout their involvement with the platform.

Key Responsibilities

⭑ Identify, approach, and invite suitable charities, community groups, and crowdfunding campaigns to join the platform

⭑ Guide partners through the onboarding process from first contact to launch

⭑ Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with both organisations and individuals

⭑ Act as a key point of contact for enquiries, support, and reassurance

⭑ Maintain regular communication to sustain engagement and rapport

⭑ Support individuals who may be experiencing difficult or traumatic circumstances with sensitivity and professionalism ⭑ Coordinate with internal team members to ensure partners receive timely assistance

⭑ Provide clear information about how the platform works and what to expect

⭑ Maintain accurate records of communications and partnership activity using our CRM management system

⭑ Ensure all interactions reflect empathy, professionalism, and respect Skills and Experience Required Essential:

⭑ Strong relationship management or engagement experience

⭑ Excellent customer service skills

⭑ Outstanding written and verbal communication skills

⭑ Confidence communicating by phone, email, and online platforms

⭑ High level of empathy and emotional intelligence

⭑ Ability to communicate sensitively with people experiencing challenging circumstances

⭑ Strong IT skills, including confident use of computer databases and standard office software (e.g. Word, Excel)

⭑ Experience using a CRM or similar database system

⭑ Highly organised with strong attention to detail

⭑ Ability to work independently and manage multiple relationships

⭑ Professional, reliable, and approachable manner Desirable:

⭑ Familiarity with HubSpot CRM (preferred but not essential as training will be provided)

⭑ Experience working with charities, community groups, or support services

⭑ Experience in partnerships, outreach, or fundraising roles

⭑ Experience working remotely within a team

⭑ Based in London or Hertfordshire for occasional in person meetings (not essential) Working Arrangement

⭑ Fully remote position

⭑ Flexible working hours depending on organisational needs

⭑ Occasional support calls or meetings with partners

⭑ No travel required. However, if you choose to meet with partners in person, reasonable travel costs will be covered where possible

⭑ Occasional (optional) in person team meetings Why Volunteer With Us

⭑ Play a vital role in supporting charities, families, and individuals during significant moments in their lives

⭑ Help build partnerships that enable meaningful fundraising and impact

⭑ Gain valuable experience in relationship management and community engagement

⭑ Join a mission driven organisation at an exciting stage of growth

⭑ Flexible volunteering that can fit around other commitments

⭑ Opportunity to build meaningful professional relationships across the charity and community sectors Although this is currently a volunteer position, Influential Stars is actively working to grow the platform with the long term aim of creating paid roles. While we are unable to provide a timeframe and future opportunities will depend on the organisation’s growth and incoming work, this role offers the chance to be part of that journey from an early stage. 

Volunteer Partnerships & Growth Manager (Remote) 

Organisation: Influential Stars 

Location: Remote (UK based). London or Herts preferred (not essential)

Commitment: Min of 10 - 15 hours per week (Flexible)

Contract Type: Volunteer 

About Us 

Influential Stars is a purpose driven platform connecting creators, supporters, and causes through exclusive experiences and campaigns that raise funds for UK charitable organisations. We are a growing team committed to delivering meaningful impact through professionally managed experiences. 

Our Story 

Influential Stars was founded by Lisa Connell, who is living with an inoperable brain tumour and has spent many years raising awareness and support for UK causes. The platform was created from a deeply personal belief that influence, connection, and community can be powerful forces for good when brought together in the right way. 

Volunteers play a vital role in helping turn that vision into real world impact, enabling experiences that raise funds, create joy for winners, and support charitable organisations across the UK. 

The Role 

We are seeking a proactive, confident, and relationship driven Volunteer Partnerships & Growth Manager to identify, approach, and onboard affiliate partners, collaborators, agents, and other supporters who can help expand the reach of the platform. 

This role focuses on building a strong network of individuals and organisations who can introduce creators, promote campaigns, or otherwise support the growth of Influential Stars.

Key Responsibilities 

⭑ Identify and approach potential affiliate partners, collaborators, agents, and networks 

⭑ Introduce individuals and organisations to the platform and explain how they can get involved 

⭑ Support onboarding of new collaborators and affiliates ⭑ Build and maintain positive relationships with partners and introducers 

⭑ Encourage ongoing engagement and participation 

⭑ Maintain regular communication to nurture long term partnerships ⭑ Coordinate with internal team members to ensure smooth onboarding 

⭑ Provide clear information about roles, expectations, and opportunities 

⭑ Maintain accurate records of outreach and partnerships using our CRM management system 

⭑ Represent the organisation professionally in all communications 

Skills and Experience Required 

Essential: 

⭑ Experience in outreach, partnerships, business development, or relationship building 

⭑ Excellent customer service skills 

⭑ Outstanding written and verbal communication skills ⭑ Confidence communicating by phone, email, and online platforms ⭑ Strong networking ability and proactive approach 

⭑ Strong IT skills, including confident use of computer databases and standard office software (e.g. Word, Excel) 

⭑ Experience using a CRM or similar database system ⭑ Highly organised with strong attention to detail 

⭑ Ability to work independently and manage multiple contacts ⭑ Professional, reliable, and personable manner

Desirable: 

⭑ Familiarity with HubSpot CRM (preferred but not essential as training will be provided) 

⭑ Experience in affiliate programmes, partnerships, or community building 

⭑ Experience working remotely within a team 

⭑ Interest in charitable or social impact work 

⭑ Based in London or Hertfordshire for occasional in person meetings (not essential) 

Working Arrangement 

⭑ Fully remote position 

⭑ Min 10 - 15 hours per week (Flexible working hours depending on organisational needs)

⭑ No travel required. However, if you choose to meet with partners in person, reasonable travel costs will be covered where possible

⭑ Occasional (optional) in person team meetings 

Why Volunteer With Us 

⭑ Play a key role in expanding a platform designed to create meaningful impact 

⭑ Help build networks that support fundraising for UK causes ⭑ Gain valuable experience in partnerships, outreach, and growth strategy 

⭑ Join a mission driven organisation at an exciting stage of development 

⭑ Flexible volunteering that can fit around other commitments ⭑ Opportunity to build a wide professional network across multiple sectors 

Although this is currently a volunteer position, Influential Stars is actively working to grow the platform with the long term aim of creating paid roles. While we are unable to provide a timeframe and future opportunities will depend on the organisation’s growth and incoming work, this role offers the chance to be part of that journey from an early stage.

Job Description:

The Women & Families Resource Centre (WFRC) is a registered charity based in Wolverhampton which supports, empowers and advocates for women and children. We aim to actively encourage women to be self-reliant, through empowering them to identify their own needs, make their own choices and create their own solutions.

We offer short term home visits, counselling sessions, baby bank, practical & emotional One to One support, Domestic violence groups, Awareness raising workshops and drop in or chat groups to help women facing crises or challenging situations.

Purpose
The effective provision of a welcoming client administration service for WFRC.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

1. Reception

To welcome clients and other visitors in person or on the telephone.

To answer the telephone and pass on messages to other WFRC staff and volunteers as well as signpost to other organisations where appropriate.

2. To assist the Office Manager to make reservations for and be the first point of contact for WFRC’s Chat group, events & other activities. To keep a record of all interested clients and send out relevant literature.

3. To assist with the purchasing and control of domestic matters, stationery, kitchen supplies and office equipment as requested by the Office Manager.

4. To assist in general recruitment activities such as writing, placing and updating adverts and undertake administrative duties to support WFRC Services.

5. To take the post to the central post office at the end of each day.

We welcome applicants on Placement, Work experience and Apprenticeships.

Work Location: In person

About Us

The Women & Families Resource Centre (WFRC) is a registered charity based in Wolverhampton that supports, empowers, and advocates for women and children.

We aim to encourage women to become self-reliant by helping them identify their needs, make informed choices, and create their own solutions. Our services include a baby bank, a charity shop, and a range of community support initiatives for women facing crises or challenging circumstances.

Our Wolverhampton Baby Bank is a flagship project supporting families with children aged 0–3 by providing essential items and connecting them to vital community services.

About the Role

We are looking for a dedicated and organised Volunteer Office Manager (Onsite Volunteer) to oversee day-to-day administrative operations and act as the first point of contact for clients, visitors, and enquiries.

This is a key role within the organisation, ensuring smooth communication, efficient processes, and a high standard of compassionate service delivery to the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for all incoming phone inquiries and visitors.

• Respond to client inquiries professionally and compassionately.

• Conduct initial intake screening and gather essential client information.

• Schedule appointments and manage staff calendars.

• Maintain accurate records of calls, referrals, and appointments.

• Manage email correspondence and administrative communications.

• Prepare, organize, and securely maintain client documentation.

• Maintain digital and physical filing systems in compliance with data protection policies.

• Support day-to-day office operations and ensure smooth administrative workflow.

• Track action items from meetings and follow up with relevant staff.

• Assist in preparing reports, summaries, and operational documentation.

• Coordinate communication between staff, volunteers, and external partners.

• Monitor office supplies and maintain administrative resources.

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, confidentiality, and organizational policies.

• Escalate urgent, complex, or sensitive cases to appropriate personnel.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong organisational and multitasking abilities
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Confident handling phone and client-facing interactions
• Compassionate, professional, and client-focused approach
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Understanding of confidentiality and data protection practices

Experience & Qualifications

• Previous experience in office administration, customer service, or similar roles preferred.
• Experience in nonprofit, community, or healthcare settings is an advantage
• Degree in Business Administration, Management, or related field (preferred but not essential).

Why Volunteer With Us?

• Gain hands-on experience in office management and operations
• Develop leadership, communication, and coordination skills
• Work in a supportive, purpose-driven environment
• Make a meaningful impact in the lives of women and families
• Build valuable experience for your CV

Apply Now

If you’re organised, compassionate, and looking to make a real difference while building your professional experience, we’d love to hear from you.

Join Our Board - Help shape the future of Merton’s vibrant voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

Merton Connected is seeking two to three new trustees to join us at an exciting time of growth.

Merton's voluntary, community, social enterprise and faith sector is full of energy, ideas and people determined to make a difference. As the borough's infrastructure charity, Merton Connected sits right at the heart of it: connecting, supporting and championing the organisations that support local people every day.

Now we want you to help shape what comes next.

Who we're looking for

We're seeking people who bring curiosity, strategic thinking, and a genuine commitment to inclusive community development. Whether this would be your first governance role or you've supported other boards before, what matters most is your perspective and your willingness to engage.

We're particularly keen to hear from people with insight or experience in:

• Charity management
• Public health, health and social care integration, or partnership working between statutory and VCS organisations
• Marketing and communications
• Digital and AI operations
• Income generation and fundraising
• Impact and performance measurement

We also warmly welcome applicants with diverse lived experience, fresh perspectives, and a strong connection to Merton. There's no single profile we're looking for, and different viewpoints make us stronger.

What you'll be doing

As a trustee, you'll help shape our strategy, strengthen good governance, and champion the voices of local organisations and residents. You'll join a collaborative, supportive board that works closely with our leadership team to ensure Merton's voluntary, community and faith sector continues to thrive.

What you'll gain

• The chance to influence local priorities and make a meaningful difference to people's lives
• Insight into how a well-connected, values-driven infrastructure charity works from the inside
• Opportunities to share your knowledge and develop your own strategic and leadership skills
• A place on a welcoming, inclusive board committed to learning and collective impact

The practical bit

Time commitment: 4–6 meetings per year (including strategy days), with occasional subgroups or events
Support offered: A full induction is provided, and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses are reimbursed.

We are actively seeking to expand our board and hope to make at least two trustee appointments over the next two months.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and we may appoint additional trustees where their skills and experience complement the board.

Ready to find out more?

Please apply with your CV and a few screening questions

We are looking for an Events Assistant who can help us organise monthly community dinners featuring three course meals from around the globe to enable the charity to engage with and attract donors. We require help with running the dinner on the day with tasks including welcoming the guests, serving food and drinks, take payments, setting up and clearing, etc.

You will be working as part of a team to plan and organise other events and fundraisers throughout the year, for example refugee week. You will also be assisting with applying for funds for events including securing raffle prizes, donations of ingredients, material needed, musicians and entertainment, etc.

This role will also include working closely with our marketing team, providing details of upcoming events for promotion; taking pictures and quotes at the event.

Main duties will include:

• Prior experience of events planning and organisation
• A passion and keenness to engage in community-based work to support refugees and serve the local community
• Good organisation skills including: effective time management, punctuality and delegation of tasks.
• A flexible and proactive attitude to working
• Good responsiveness to emails/ text/ whatsapp
• Practical skills to help prepare and set-up the café for events
• Able to work well in a team and communicate effectively with the rest of the staff and visitors of the cafe
• A willingness to learn new skills

Desirable:

• Prior experience working with refugees, people seeking asylum or other vulnerable groups
• Prior experience of involvement in charity fundraising events

Would you like to help end food insecurity and tackle climate change in Greater Manchester, whilst gaining valuable experience and skills? Or perhaps you'd just like to keep busy and active and make new friends, whilst supporting a great cause.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

Induction, training and support.
Practical experience and transferable skills in food redistribution and warehousing.
A reference (after 2 months with us).
An understanding of warehousing and logistics.
Expenses:
Reimbursement of travel costs of up to £5 for public transport, and up to £6 for car drivers.
Up to £3 towards lunch, if you have special dietary requirements. (We provide lunch, so will contribute towards the cost of a meal, should you bring your own, if what we are offering isn't considered suitable; e.g. a diet that's restricted for health, ethics or religion).

ABOUT US
As a sustainability charity, we take donated surplus (over-stocked) food and redistribute it to people in need.
The initiatives we support include food banks, schools, community groups and charities.
Our vital work supports people experiencing extreme hardship and prevents good food going to landfill, where it would contribute to climate warming through greenhouse gas emissions. 
We need help in our warehouse to receive and record supplies, load and unload vans, and prepare orders for delivery. In return, we offer training and support to help you obtain skills and experience if you are seeking work. If you're not looking for a job, volunteering with us is rewarding in many other ways; offering an opportunity to make friends, keep physically active and support your community.

This role is vital to FareShare's work, ensuring that the food in our warehouse is sorted, labelled and organised into orders.
It is perfect for someone who is:

a) Looking for a practical activity to keep busy and physically fit.
b) Looking for experience and skills to gain employment in the food industry, warehousing or customer service.
c) Wanting to help their community and help tackle global warming.
d) Wanting to make new friends.

Our volunteer roles are available Monday to Friday, for a whole or half day, with shifts between 8:30-am-12:30pm and 12:30-4:30pm. 
Volunteers are typically involved on one day a week.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
Receiving, sorting, cataloguing and storing chilled and ambient food and preparing orders for delivery. 
Ensuring food quality and safety by checking ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates.
Unpacking deliveries, recording and categorising food.
Assembling food orders.
Assisting our Community Food Members with their order collections.
Maintaining health and safety and hygiene standards. 
Helping with cleaning and other routine tasks.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: You must...
Be reasonably physically fit to carry out tasks, including lifting and loading.
Speak English well in order to communicate clearly with our Community Food Members, and to understand and follow instructions and health and safety rules. 
Have basic literacy and numeracy skills to record details of donated food.
Be able to work to Health and Safety standards.
Be happy to complete tasks independently according to instruction.
Be positive, friendly and enthusiastic about tackling food waste and food insecurity.
Be reliable and able to commit to an agreed session/day.

LOCATION
We are located in Maynard House, New Smithfield Market, Openshaw, M11 2WJ, which is easily reachable on public transport. We have free-onsite parking and secure storage for bicycles.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be a UK resident and living within easy commuting distance of our base in order to volunteer with us. This is because our volunteers must be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for our roles.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

Whether you’re a jobseeker interested in a career in construction or woodwork, a student or recent college graduate seeking experience, or just someone with spare time on your hands, wanting to do something positive and meet new people, volunteering with the Touch Wood project at EMERGE 3Rs may be just the ticket!

Touch Wood is a wood recycling and upcycling initiative, which collects surplus and waste wood and timber and gives it a new lease of life, preventing it from being burned, chipped, or dumped in landfill.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

* Preparing wood for resale

* Assisting with the construction of wooden products, from small household items to pieces of furniture

Our Touch Wood volunteers are able to gain skills in practical woodworking, as we offer hands-on experience of working with reclaimed timber; from making basic lumber products ready for resale, through to assisting with the creation of bespoke items, such as kitchen equipment and home and garden furniture.

Full training in woodworking and health and safety is provided, along with Personal Protection Equipment.
Capped reimbursement of expenses is awarded for lunches and travel, where applicable.

The UK generates around 5 million tonnes of wood waste every year, but less than 1% is reused. Touch Wood rescues waste timber that would otherwise be landfilled or turned into woodchip; creating jobs and training opportunities for disadvantaged local people at the same time. We collect from construction sites, industrial estates and other commercial sources, reclaiming everything from pallets to indoor cycle tracks – you name it, we take it! Anything we can’t reuse is locally recycled, so nothing goes to waste. This reduces the carbon emissions associated with disposing of waste wood, offers cost savings for DIY enthusiasts, and provides training and job potential to volunteers in the workshop. Some of the timber we work with comes from high profile sources, including the entire track of the Manchester Velodrome cycling centre and wood removed in the recent refurbishment of Manchester’s historic Town Hall!

Our skilled team of staff and volunteers often use reclaimed timber to create beautiful and practical products, such as home and garden furniture. We regularly create bespoke pieces to order; some of it for famous clients like Olympic cycling champions Jason and Laura Kenny, for whom we made a table from the Manchester Velodrome track.

Please be advised that our volunteers require a fair level of physical fitness and manual dexterity as the role is entirely practical.

Our Touch Wood workshop and wood store is open Mon-Fri, 8.30am - 4pm.
We occupy a unit at Maynard House, inside New Smithfield Market, in Openshaw, North Manchester, which is accessed from the main entrance on Whitworth Street East (off Ashton Old Road). The site is served well by buses, and we have free parking onsite, as well as secure storage racks for pushbikes.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

Would you like to help end food insecurity and tackle climate change in Greater Manchester, whilst gaining valuable experience and skills? Or perhaps you'd just like to keep busy and active and make new friends, whilst supporting a great cause.

WHAT WE OFFER YOU

Induction, training and support.
Practical experience and transferable skills in food redistribution and warehousing.
A reference (after 2 months with us).
An understanding of warehousing and logistics.
Expenses: Reimbursement of travel costs of up to £5 for public transport, and up to £6 for car drivers. Up to £3 towards lunch, if you have special dietary requirements. (We provide lunch, so will contribute towards the cost of a meal, should you bring your own, only if what we are offering isn't considered suitable; e.g. a diet that's restricted for health, ethics or religion).

ABOUT US

As a sustainability charity, we take donated surplus (over-stocked) food and redistribute it to people in need.
The initiatives we support include food banks, schools, community groups and charities.

Our vital work supports people experiencing extreme hardship and prevents good food going to landfill, where it would contribute to climate warming through greenhouse gas emissions. 

We need help in our warehouse to receive and record supplies, load and unload vans, and prepare orders for delivery.
In return, we offer training and support to help you obtain skills and experience if you are seeking work.
If you're not looking for a job, volunteering with us is rewarding in many other ways; offering an opportunity to make friends, keep physically active and support your community.

This role is vital to FareShare's work, ensuring that the food in our warehouse is sorted, labelled and organised into orders.
It is perfect for someone who is:

a) Looking for a practical activity to keep busy and physically fit.
b) Looking for experience and skills to gain employment in the food industry and warehousing.
c) Wanting to help their community and help tackle global warming.
d) Wanting to make new friends.

Our volunteer roles are available Monday to Friday, for a whole or half day, with shifts between 8:30-am-12:30pm and 12:30-4:30pm. 

Volunteers are typically involved on one day a week.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
Receiving, sorting, cataloguing and storing chilled and ambient food and preparing orders for delivery. 
Ensuring food quality and safety by checking ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates.
Unpacking deliveries, recording and categorising food.
Assembling food orders.
Maintaining health and safety and hygiene standards. 
Helping with cleaning and other routine tasks.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: You must...
Be reasonably physically fit to carry out tasks, including lifting and loading.
Be reliable and able to commit to an agreed session/day.
Speak English well in order to understand and follow instructions and health and safety rules. 
Have basic literacy and numeracy skills to record details of donated food.
Be able to work to Health and Safety standards.
Be happy to complete tasks independently according to instruction.
Be positive, friendly and enthusiastic about tackling food waste and food insecurity.

LOCATION
We are located in Maynard House, New Smithfield Market, Openshaw, M11 2WJ, which is easily reachable on public transport. We have free-onsite parking and secure storage for bicycles.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be a UK resident and living within easy commuting distance of our base in order to volunteer with us. This is because our volunteers must be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for our roles.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

FareShare Greater Manchester is looking for safe, confident drivers to join our busy, friendly delivery team. 

We re-distribute tonnes of surplus food a month to charities and community initiatives across Greater Manchester. This is an achievement of which we’re proud, and want to expand and is why we need your driving and delivery skills to support our growing operation, especially in these current times of increased need.

Key responsibilities

Driving a van to deliver surplus food orders to the premises of the various Community Food Members we support. 
Loading and unloading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

As a Delivery Driver at FareShare, you will be driving a temperature-controlled 3.5 tonnes Mercedes Sprinter van; working closely with a Driver’s Assistant to re-distribute food orders to the premises of a wide variety of Community Food Members. You will be involved with loading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

The required skills and attributes are as follows. You must:

Be aged 25 or over, with a clean driver's licence (or a maximum of 3 points).
(Experience of driving a van is desirable though not essential).

Be reliable and be able to commit to pre-agreed volunteer shifts.

Be physically fit to take on moving and handling of food orders.

Possess the ability to follow procedures and instructions.

Have good verbal communication skills.

Have a high respect for Health & Safety standards and procedures.

Have an interest in the work of FareShare Greater Manchester and our values.

In return you will gain:

Career, CV advice and support

A reference for future employers

Reimbursement of travel and lunch expenses 

The opportunity to give practical help to fight food poverty and reduce food waste (and associated CO2 emissions)

The opportunity to meet like-minded people and make new friends

Our operating hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm. 

Drivers' 4 hour shifts begin at 8:30am. 

We especially welcome volunteers who can commit to one day a week. 

The days and rota hours of volunteering are agreed around your availability.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)

FareShare Greater Manchester is looking for volunteer Driver's Assistants to join our busy friendly delivery team with redistributing tonnes of surplus food a month to charities and community initiatives across Greater Manchester.

FareShare is a national charity fighting food poverty and global warming by tackling food surplus. We source overstocked food from retailers and manufacturers and engage many volunteers to help re-distribute it to over 220 frontline charities and community groups across Greater Manchester. These groups, in turn, provide meals to vulnerable people experiencing food poverty, individuals who are homeless, families, and people who are unemployed or socially isolated. This food would otherwise have gone to waste, so we are simultaneously supporting people in need and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Key responsibilities

Working closely with the driver of a temperature-controlled 3.5 tonne Mercedes Sprinter van to deliver surplus food orders to the premises of the benevolent projects we support. 

Loading and unloading the vehicle and carrying out a range of tasks, from basic vehicle checks to delivery administration.

The required skills and attributes are:

• Reliability and ability to commit to pre-agreed volunteer shifts (ESSENTIAL)

• Physical fitness, to take on moving and handling of food orders

• Ability to follow procedures and instructions

• Good verbal communication skills

• Interest in the work of FareShare Greater Manchester and our values

• High respect for Health & Safety procedures and standards

In return you will gain:

Career and CV advice and support

A reference for future employers

Reimbursement of travel and lunch expenses 

The opportunity to give practical help to fight food poverty and reduce food waste (and associated CO2 emissions)

The opportunity to meet like-minded people and make new friends

Our operating hours are Monday - Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm.

Driver and Driver’s Assistant shifts begin at 8:30am. 

We welcome volunteers who can commit to one day a week. 

The days and rota hours of volunteering are agreed around your availability.

​IMPORTANT NOTE:
You must be resident in the UK and living in Greater Manchester, or within easy commuting distance of our base, in order to volunteer with us. There are no exceptions to this rule. This is because we require volunteers to be able to reliably commit to regular shifts for some of our roles. We are unable to offer sponsorship for overseas applicants.

Know someone else who might be interested in volunteering with us?
Please pass our details on to them as we always welcome new people on our teams. :)