Arts culture heritage volunteer roles

The Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) is the UK’s first charity dedicated to promoting high-quality journalism and strengthening local news. We are seeking a Treasurer to join our Board of Trustees and help guide the charity’s financial stewardship during an exciting period of growth and impact.

This voluntary role is ideal for someone with strong financial expertise. As Treasurer, you will work closely with fellow trustees and the executive team to oversee budgets, financial reporting, risk management and long-term financial sustainability, while helping the Board make informed strategic decisions.

We are looking for a collaborative individual who can explain financial matters clearly to non-financial colleagues, provide constructive challenge, and share our commitment to supporting independent, public-interest journalism across the UK. Previous trustee or charity finance experience is welcome but not essential.

Further details are included in the attached job specification.

Time commitment: Approximately six days per year in total, including four Board meetings (two in London and two online) and occasional support between meetings.

We particularly encourage applications from individuals whose backgrounds and perspectives are under-represented on charity boards and in the news sector. 

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Fundraising and Partnerships Volunteer

The Goal: Help us build the relationships that fuel our work. You’ll be part of the team that finds the resources we need to grow.

We’d love help with:

• Researching Opportunities: Finding new grants, trusts, or local businesses who might want to partner with us.

• Drafting Bids: Helping us write compelling stories and applications for funding.

• Relationship Building: Supporting our communications with current donors to keep them updated on our success.

What you bring:

• A gift for storytelling and clear, persuasive writing.

• A friendly, professional manner and a love for networking.

• Persistence and a "hunter" mindset for finding new opportunities.

Manakal

We empower young people and underserved communities to become sustainability leaders through accessible, culturally-centered education and mentorship.

​Sustainability Research & Content Volunteer

As a Sustainability Research & Content Volunteer, you will play a key role in strengthening MANAKAL’s sustainability-focused initiatives through rigorous research, knowledge development, and high-quality content creation. This role goes beyond basic writing to include contributing to evidence-based insights, shaping thought leadership outputs, and supporting MANAKAL’s voice in global sustainability discourse. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure research findings are translated into meaningful strategies, communications, and knowledge systems that advance MANAKAL’s mission and impact.

Who are you?

You are a curious, structured, and reflective thinker who enjoys turning complex sustainability and development topics into clear, accessible insights. You are motivated by learning, research, and storytelling that drives social and environmental impact.

• Students or young professionals interested in sustainability, development studies, environmental science, social innovation, policy, or communications
• Someone who is analytical, detail-oriented, and comfortable working with research materials and data
• Strong interest in writing, content creation, and knowledge synthesis
• Comfortable working in an early-stage, fast-evolving initiative
• Values-driven, intellectually curious, and committed to clarity and impact

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct evidence-based research on sustainability, development, and social impact themes
• Synthesize research findings into clear, structured insights, briefs, and reports
• Contribute to thought leadership content, articles, and knowledge pieces aligned with MANAKAL’s mission
• Support the creation of written and multimedia content for digital and communication platforms
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate research insights into programs, strategies, and communications
• Assist in building and organizing MANAKAL’s internal knowledge systems and learning resources
• Support storytelling efforts that translate complex sustainability topics into accessible, engaging narratives

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience in sustainability research and knowledge development
• Exposure to real-world applications of research in strategy and communication
• Portfolio-building in writing, analysis, and thought leadership content
• Experience working in cross-functional, mission-driven teams
• Flexible, remote collaboration in an international environment

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

SOLWYN

We curate and promote slow, place-based stays, connecting independent hosts with low-impact travelers.​

The role

You will own our grant application process end to end — from confirming eligibility to final submission — working directly with the founders at every step.

• Write and co-write full applications, concept notes, and supporting materials
• Translate Solwyn's mission into structured, persuasive, funder-facing language
• Manage a pipeline of applications across different formats, portals, and deadlines
• Work with the founders to gather required documentation at each stage
• Flag any programmes beyond our current list that could be a fit

Who you are

• You have hands-on experience with EU or Spanish public funding — ACCIÓ, ENISA, ICEX, EIC, or equivalent programmes
• You are a strong, structured writer who knows how to make an evaluator's job easy
• You understand the mechanics of grants, soft loans, and repayable advances
• You are detail-oriented and take real ownership of deadlines and submission requirements
• You are comfortable working async with a fast-moving early-stage team
• Bonus: you have written grants specifically in sustainable tourism or hospitality innovation

What you get out of this Direct access to a founding team building something real. A pipeline of applications with genuine upside. The chance to own a meaningful part of how an early-stage company gets funded and to add a compelling portfolio of EU and Spanish grant applications to your track record.

Minimum Hours per Week:

4-6 hours per week

Duration:

3-5 months

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Strategy and Programme Volunteer

The Goal: Help us turn our big dreams into reality. You will be part of the team that takes our ambitions and builds them into practical, life-changing projects.

We’d love help with:

• Planning the Journey: Helping us draft clear project plans and timelines.

• Tracking our Progress: Helping us collect information to see how well our projects are doing.

• Organising Teams: Assisting with the coordination of different tasks to keep everything running on time.

What you bring:

• An organised mind and a love for "getting things done."

• Experience in project management or a strong interest in how charities run.

• The ability to see the steps needed to reach a big goal.

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Marketing and Communications Volunteer

The Goal: Help us share our story with the world. You’ll be a creative voice for the Trust, helping our message reach and inspire action.

We’d love help with:

• Digital Content: Creating engaging posts for social media, newsletters, or our website.

• Designing Materials: Helping us make flyers, posters, or digital graphics that look great.

• Campaigning: Assisting with the launch of new campaigns to celebrate our impact.

What you bring:

• A creative eye and a knack for writing content that people want to read.

• Familiarity with social media or design tools (like Canva or Mailchimp).

• A passion for sharing the history and stories of the British Bengali community.

Volunteer Admissions Assistant

You'll be multitasking throughout the day, with a mix of responsibilities including customer service, ticket sales, promoting Gift Aid donations, shop duties, guiding visitors and providing information about the Museum and the collection. If you enjoy a fast-paced environment and love engaging with people, this is the role for you. 

The Volunteer Admissions Assistant role is all about making a lasting impression and creating a memorable visitor experience. You’ll be:

• Welcoming and engaging with visitors, sharing information about the museum and its collection.
• Selling tickets and gift shop items, ensuring smooth transactions and great customer service.
• Collecting data for Gift Aid and marketing purposes, including how visitors found out about us.
• Creating positive experiences to encourage return visits and word-of-mouth recommendations.
• Helping visitors explore the Museum through interpretation, answering questions and distributing trails, accessibility and family activities.
• Maintaining the gift shop, including restocking, counting stock, and setting up attractive displays.
• Conducting online research and building contact lists to support marketing efforts.
• Promoting the Museum locally, raising awareness and encouraging more visitors to discover what we have to offer!

Who we’re looking for:

We’d like to extend an invitation to anyone, particularly members of the local community.  Full training will be provided, we are looking for anyone with:

• Great customer service skills – you will be friendly and confident about approaching visitors of all ages and backgrounds
• Great communication skills – you will be able to clearly explain information about the Museum and ticketing to visitors
• Good computer skills – with training, you will be able to use our ticketing system, email and Microsoft Office
• Good Sales Skills – you will be able to promote ticket sales and gift shop items as well as encouraging Gift Aid donations
• Multitasking skills – with various responsibilities such as selling tickets, guiding visitors, and managing the gift shop, you will be able to juggle tasks efficiently
• A good telephone manner
• Good team working skills

This role offers plenty of variety, and you'll play an important part in making every visitor's experience unforgettable.

Training and support:

All volunteers will first be invited for a training shift.  We have an induction and training process, during which we give volunteers the information they need to enjoy their time with us. Training is mainly 'on the job', supported by an experienced volunteer as well as the manager on duty. Volunteers are given regular feedback and we remain open to suggestions on how we can improve the volunteer experience. The Admissions Assistant receives continued training and development throughout their time with us.

Availability:

We are looking for volunteers who would ideally like to donate 2-4 shifts per month, weekdays or weekends, either as a 10-1.30pm shift, or a 1.30-5pm shift, for a minimum of 3 months. Ideally, you will be able to start immediately, although this is not essential. Travel expenses up to £5 will be paid, with up to an additional £5 for lunch expenses if you are on a full day shift.

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.

EcoManka

We empower marginalized communities through gamified eco-education, eco-entrepreneurship, and immersive sustainable tourism.

​We’re looking for a passionate Impact Fundraising & Partnerships Lead to help EcoManka grow internationally.

EcoManka is an international eco-education initiative that has recently been awarded a two-year grant from the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU) to develop a gamified teacher toolkit, facilitator training programme, and digital learning platform for youth sustainability education.

As we begin this exciting new phase, we’re looking for someone who can help us secure the additional funding and partnerships needed to scale our impact.

Your responsibilities may include:

• Researching grants, foundations and funding opportunities.
• Supporting the design of our crowdfunding campaign.
• Building relationships with impact investors, philanthropic organisations and corporate partners. 
• Helping prepare fundraising materials, presentations and outreach.
• Working with the EcoManka leadership team to develop our long-term fundraising strategy.
• Contributing ideas on communications and donor engagement.

We’re looking for someone who is proactive, entrepreneurial, and excited about building something meaningful from an early stage.

This role offers the opportunity to work directly with an international consortium of organisations across Europe, Latin America and Africa, contributing to a project that combines education, sustainability, technology and social innovation.

This role begins on a volunteer basis, with the intention of transitioning into a paid position as fundraising goals are achieved and new grants are secured.

Minimum Hours per Week:

7-9 hours per week

Duration:

6+ months

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Operations Volunteer

The Goal: You are the engine room! You’ll help ensure our day-to-day systems, from IT to HR, are smooth and supportive.

We’d love help with:

• Daily Support: Helping with office admin, logistics, or coordinating meetings.

• Improving Systems: Assisting with our CRM (database) or helping the team get the most out of our tech.

• People Support: Helping with the "welcome" process for new staff or volunteers.

What you bring:

• A proactive, "can-do" attitude and a knack for multitasking.

• Great people skills and an organised approach to busy days.

• Tech-savviness (or a quick ability to learn new software).

Join the Team and Help Us Build the Future of The Swadhinata Trust 

The Swadhinata Trust is embarking on a journey of significant growth and transformation. Having recently refreshed our purpose, mission, and brand, we are now ready for our next big leap: transitioning from a grassroots volunteer organisation to a scalable charity with paid staff and expanded reach.

To reach our full potential, we need 'roll-up-your-sleeves' leaders who are eager to help us transform. This isn’t just about giving advice from the sidelines; it’s about being the engine of our transformation. Whether you are an expert in your field or looking to develop new skills, joining us as a collaborative partner offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible, lasting impact on our journey.

How Can You Help 

We are looking for both professionals and enthusiasts eager to use their skills to help us transform. Whether you can offer 2 hours a week or 10, your expertise will be a vital part of reaching our big goals. You don’t need to be a veteran in your field; we value a 'roll-up-your-sleeves' attitude and a commitment to our mission just as much as a CV.

Strategy and Programme Volunteer

The Goal: Help us turn our big dreams into reality. You will be part of the team that takes our ambitions and builds them into practical, life-changing projects.

We’d love help with:

• Planning the Journey: Helping us draft clear project plans and timelines.

• Tracking our Progress: Helping us collect information to see how well our projects are doing.

• Organising Teams: Assisting with the coordination of different tasks to keep everything running on time.

What you bring:

• An organised mind and a love for "getting things done."

• Experience in project management or a strong interest in how charities run.

• The ability to see the steps needed to reach a big goal.

Our outdoor community hub in Worksop launched in autumn 2024 and continues to grow.

We host family events, children’s nature play groups, workshops, green skills training sessions, and much more. We also grow our own produce to use in healthy cooking and eating events on-site.

Every other Friday 9:30am – 2:30pm we work with volunteers who want to be part of something special, to give back to the community and the environment. You can still sign up even if you can’t attend every time or all day, every hour you spent with us is greatly appreciated.

We need volunteers to help us with: DIY, gardening, implementing infrastructure such as polytunnels, raised beds, seating, and more.

From planting and coppicing trees to litter picking and weeding, there are tasks for people of all ages and abilities, whether you’re an avid gardener or a brand new enthusiast. Full training, PPE, and light refreshments are provided. We’ll also fully reimburse your transport costs.

Volunteering has many benefits:

• Being active helps your physical and mental health
• Meet new people and being social
• Enjoy working outdoors in the fresh air
• See a green space improve before your very eyes
• Give back to your community
• …and much more!

Address: Entrance to Allotments via metal gate next to 109 Cheapside, Worksop, S80 2JD
Facilities: There is a toilet and running water on-site, free on-street parking, and shops nearby.

Our green charity looks after dozens of spaces around the East Midlands, with multiple around Bolsover:

• Clowne Greenway: Every Monday 10am – 1pm 
•  Archaeological Way: Every other Wednesday from 9:30 – 1:30pm

From planting and coppicing trees to litter picking and weeding, there are tasks for people of all ages and abilities, whether you’re an avid gardener or a brand new enthusiast. Full training, PPE, and light refreshments are provided. We’ll also fully reimburse your transport costs.

Volunteering has many benefits:

• Being active helps your physical and mental health
• Meet new people and being social
• Enjoy working outdoors in the fresh air
• See a green space improve before your very eyes
• Give back to your community
• …and much more!

Prison-based volunteers are the backbone of Fine Cell Work (FCW). Supported by the Fine Cell Work programmes team and by other staff at the FCW office, they teach and administer FCW stitching groups in prisons.

Prison volunteers work in teams to organise classes and teach our stitchers, as well as providing groups information to the prison and to the FCW office. The precise mix of skills will vary from prison to prison.

Volunteering in prison for Fine Cell Work requires ideally a good level of needlework skill (or a willingness to learn), some teaching experience and/or experience of working with socially-excluded groups. Volunteers must be patient and non-judgemental in order to work effectively. As a prison volunteer you will:

• Developing skills and confidence
• Teach prisoners to stitch FCW products within the framework of our training programme
• Encouraging and supporting prisoners to volunteer as class coordinators and peer mentors
• Encouraging and helping prisoners who wish to undertake their own creative projects
• Teaching prisoners to stitch FCW products within the framework of our training programme
• Encouraging and supporting prisoners to volunteer as class coordinators and peer mentors
• Encouraging and helping prisoners who wish to undertake their own creative projects

It is essential for volunteers to support FCW ethos, believe in rehabilitation, be an excellent teamworker, observe personal boundaries, be reliable and patient to ensure cell groups run smoothly, and have record-keeping skills and have a knowledge of tapestry/needlework. . 

Volunteers work in prisons around the UK dependant on where groups are based, therefore it is required that volunteers will be able to travel to the relevant prisons. Travel expenses will be reimbursed by the charity. 

Please take some time to read the role description to find out more details about the role and what we offer to our volunteers.

At Fine Cell Work, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in FCW’s workforce.

These include applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+, and male identifying applicants as these are currently under-represented in our volunteers groups.

Our green charity looks after dozens of spaces around the East Midlands, with multiple in Amber Valley:

• Carr Wood Local Nature Reserve in Ripley: Every Wednesday 9am – 12:30pm
• Hammersmith Meadows Nature Reserve in Ripley: One Wednesday morning a month
• Pennytown Ponds Local Nature Reserve in Somercotes: Every other Wednesday morning
• Sandbed Lane Loop in Belper: One Friday morning a month
• Red River Local Nature Reserve in Heanor & Loscoe: Every second Saturday of the month from 10am – 12pm

From planting and coppicing trees to litter picking and weeding, there are tasks for people of all ages and abilities, whether you’re an avid gardener or a brand new enthusiast. Full training, PPE, and light refreshments are provided. We’ll also fully reimburse your transport costs.

Volunteering has many benefits:

• Being active helps your physical and mental health
• Meet new people and being social
• Enjoy working outdoors in the fresh air
• See a green space improve before your very eyes
• Give back to your community
• …and much more!