Care volunteer roles

At St John Ambulance, we are looking to develop our volunteering offer and become an even more integral part of our communities through delivering community first aid and education. 

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient by sharing your first aid skills and knowledge. As a Community First Aider, you’ll deliver first aid to those in need through local events, as well as provide education to the public so that the ripple effect of First Aid grows.

Through supporting the growth of community partnerships, you will bring people along to our cause, growing our membership and fundraising base and spreading the message that First Aid Saves Lives. 

Through volunteering as a Community First Aider, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

We will be running a number of information events locally and these are:
- Date, time and location to be advised

We are looking to run a volunteering selection session on:
-  Date, time and location to be advised

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:
Welcome Event (Induction) - Date, time and location to be advised
Training for role - Date, time and location to be advised

Closing date for these opportunities is: 30/11/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Are you full of energy, like meeting new people, and want to make a real difference in your community? Join us as a Fundraising Event Support Volunteer and help bring our amazing fundraising events to life.

Whether you're cheering on runners from the side-lines, helping to run a tombola or collecting vital funds – there’s a role for everyone.

You'll be part of a passionate team, supporting our Fundraising and Events Team to create memorable experiences that raise vital funds for St Barnabas, Chestnut Tree House, and Martlets.

What we're looking for: A friendly face to welcome visitors and animals to our rescue centre in Whitminster, answering their questions, and directing them to the appropriate member of staff. You will also help make sure the Teckels shop is well stocked, clean and tidy, and looks its best.

This role is ideal for someone with excellent customer service and communication skills, able to deal with a wide range of people visiting in person or over the phone. An eye for detail is helpful for processing admin and making bookings.

Our rescue centre can get very busy, so it is important you are comfortable working in a fast paced environment and have the ability to multi task. You may be the first person someone meets at Teckels, so you will need to be polite, helpful, understanding and discreet, able to handle sensitive situations.

When you can help: We are looking for Welcome Volunteers on a Wednesday and Sunday afternoon, and all day Saturday

What we can offer you:

• An induction, ongoing support, and training
• An opportunity to meet new people
• Gain experience, learn new skills, and make a difference
• A reference for studying or employment
• The chance to meet lots of cat and dogs
• A dedicated volunteer coordinator for check ins and support

Volunteer Befriender – Age UK East Sussex

Would you like to make a real difference to an older person in your community? Join our team as a Volunteer Befriender and help make East Sussex a great place to grow older.

Our Befriending Service is a 26-week programme where you’re matched with one or more older people for weekly support, either by telephone or face-to-face, depending on what works best. We ask for a minimum commitment of 1 hour per week.

Many older people feel isolated or disconnected, so your role may also include accompanying them to local groups or activities to help them rebuild confidence and reconnect with their community. Face-to-face visits can be arranged where appropriate to support community integration. Befriending can also involve accompanying someone to simple social activities, such as a café or a local event.

What you’ll do:

• Provide a weekly chat for up to 26 weeks (minimum 1 hour per week)

• Build supportive relationships with one or more older people

• Offer telephone or face-to-face contact

• Accompany clients to community groups or activities to support reconnection

• Help identify support needs and signpost where necessary

What we offer:

• Full training and ongoing support

• Reimbursement of telephone costs

• Flexible hours, volunteer from home or in your local area

• A warm, friendly team

What you need:

• A caring, empathetic nature

• Your own phone (we’ll show you how to withhold your number)

• Ideally, internet access

• Must be 18+ and based in the UK

If this sounds like you, just click Apply and complete your details.

This is an unpaid volunteer role for UK-based volunteers.

No one should die because they needed first aid and didn’t get it. St John Ambulance teaches people first aid so they can be the difference between life and death, and you can help us do this.

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient by enabling our volunteers and staff to have the right equipment and resources to do the job. As an Operational Support Team Member, you’ll support St John Ambulance in deploying equipment to events and activities within your community, as well as support the maintaining of equipment to ensure networks are properly resourced.

Through volunteering as an Operational Support Team Member, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride providing essential resources to our medical and education teams. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time. 

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

We will be running a number of information events locally and these are:
- Date, Times and Location to be advised
We are looking to run a volunteering selection session on:
-  Date, Times and Location to be advised

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates:
Welcome Event (Induction) - Date, Times and Location to be advised
Training for role - Date, Times and Location to be advised

Closing date for these opportunities is: 31/08/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Support the work of St John Ambulance in your community by volunteering as a Community Volunteer, an exciting new role which is designed to revamp how volunteering looks in the modern world; flexible, innovative and is open for all.

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient. Community Volunteers can choose from a wide selection of activities – including fundraising, talks and demonstrations, supporting at events, volunteer welfare, social media and administration support.

Through supporting the growth of community partnerships, you will bring people along to our cause, growing our membership and fundraising base and spreading the message that First Aid Saves Lives.

Give as much (or little) time as you can afford. With this new role, you simply volunteer when it works for you. That means you can give as much time as you like or as little as 24 hours across a whole year, whenever it suits you. It’s perfect for busy lives, changing schedules, or for anyone seeking a low-commitment involvement. 

The Community Volunteer provides an easy way to stay connected and contribute meaningfully to your local community. Here are some examples of what you could do: 

• Community fundraising
• Talks and demonstrations
• Support at events
• Volunteer welfare
• Community Roadshows
• Supporting national campaigns
• Counting and banking money
• Booking events
• Supporting Networks  
• Administration support
• Writing thank you and community letters
• Media and social media
• Community news and Network newsletters 

Through volunteering as a Community Volunteer, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time.

Once we have completed your selection and screening for this role, we will provide you with an induction, as well as invite you to any necessary training sessions. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

If you are successful you will need to undertake induction & training for role at these dates: Welcome Event (Induction) - Date, Times and Locations to be advised. 

Training for role - Date, Times and Locations to be advised.

Closing date for these opportunities is: 31/12/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

At St John Ambulance we are looking to embed ourselves within our communities, delivering support which is tailored to the needs of those communities whilst providing a positive experience for our Volunteers.

We need leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their communities, who care about helping and developing others, who will lead and inspire a volunteer movement across a geographical area to deliver Community First Aid, Community Education and Community Fundraising as well as develop our offering for young people. Through leading a team of Volunteer leaders, you will drive excellence in delivery, develop an inclusive and diverse volunteering experience for new and current volunteers, and help navigate through change to build a bigger and better St John Ambulance.

As a member of our network leadership team, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride through supporting a team and our volunteers to deliver our essential services. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation.

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

Volunteers would be expected to attend training for the role both online and in person, to attend regularly network weekly meetings to enable them to keep their skills up to date.

If you are successful you will need to undertake relevant training for the role, details of which will be discussed after you have been appointed.

• Closing date for these opportunities is: 31 July 2026
• Interviews will take place between  from 11 August 2026 .
• Inductions and training or this role will take place between 28 September and 2 November 2026 .

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

Could you help bring moments of togetherness to families facing cancer? 

Families supported by Young Lives vs Cancer are going through some of the most challenging times of their lives. At Young Lives vs Cancer, we get that. We are a charity that helps children and young people (aged 0-24), and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them.  

As an Events Coordinator in the South West Social Work team, you will plan and coordinate a range of events throughout the year; working directly with the families we support and partner organisations. we hope to run events across the region including end‑of‑treatment celebration days, sibling days, festive events and bereavement support events 

What you give as a volunteer goes far beyond practical support; it’s reassurance, kindness, and hope at a time when it’s needed most. Your time and commitment can help make the cancer journey a little lighter and leave a lasting, positive impact on the families you support. 

What you’ll be doing 

We hope to carry out regular events across the whole region. Your help will be invaluable in achieving this. Your tasks will include: 

• Helping to organise, co-ordinate and run events. 

• Communication with invitees and organisations involved in the planning and facilitation of events. 

• Attendance of events as a welcoming presence; helping people feel comfortable, supported, and gently connected to one another. 

• Working alongside social workers as a valued member of the team and reporting back to your volunteer manager. 

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

What is a Caseworker?

Caseworkers visit clients to work out what type of support they need. You will listen without judgement to assess and provide tailored support to help those serving, who have served and their families to navigate life in and beyond military service. Some examples of support are securing funding for special equipment for someone with a disability, adaptions to a property so an older client can remain at home or funds for a rental deposit. Caseworkers also sign-post clients onto specialist local services for advice on benefits, housing, mental health, debt, finding work etc.

Why do we need you?

We’ve been supporting the Armed Forces community since 1885. Our clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like the Falklands or Afghanistan. We’d love the general public to understand what we do and how they can help us.

There are SSAFA branches throughout the UK and overseas who support local volunteers to deliver services to veterans, serving personnel and their families. Some branches are divided into smaller divisions to ensure the best local service delivery. Each branch has a team of volunteer caseworkers, support volunteers, executive roles, and fundraisers.

Volunteer Caseworkers are the lifeblood of SSAFA, supporting a growing number of people in need of financial, practical, and emotional support. Clients come from all backgrounds and age groups and may have served in WW2 or in a more recent conflict like Iraq or Afghanistan.

When would you be needed and where would you be based?

The essential part of the role is visiting clients, so you will need access to a vehicle or another way to travel to meet clients at home or in a care home setting. As part of your local branch, you might have access to an office, but you can complete the administration part of the role from home as long as you have access to IT equipment and the internet.

What would you be doing?

• Contacting beneficiaries and arranging to meet them at a mutually convenient time.
• Meeting beneficiaries and completing a form to assess their circumstances, using good communication skills, empathy and understanding.
• Sign-posting clients onto local services providing specialist advice.
• Applying for funding on the behalf of the beneficiary through a specific process and system  
• Arranging for the purchase of goods and services
• Keeping the beneficiary informed of their case progress.
• Liaise with the branch and regional office, regarding your availability.
• Keeping up to date with training and SSAFA news so that you are best able to support clients.
• Being a positive ambassador for SSAFA remembering that anyone you meet could be a potential client, volunteer, or fundraiser.
• Volunteering within the standards and values of SSAFA
• Adhering to SSAFAs policies and procedures at all times, including safeguarding, volunteering policy, equality, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, data protection and confidentiality.  

What can you gain from this volunteering role?

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community
• Experience, training, and skills that you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.
• Better physical and mental health – studies show that volunteers live longer and experience lower levels of stress and depression!

What training and support would you receive?

• Role specific training to prepare you for your voluntary role – confidentiality and boundaries, personal safety, caseworker training, and caseworker IT system training. The caseworker training takes 3 days and a further half a day for the other training.
• Mandatory on-line training modules to complete at home, so you are up to date on how to keep clients, their families safe and personal information safe.
• Access to a range additional e-learning courses as well as local opportunities for your personal and professional development.
• Local induction including assigning a person from the team who will be your main point of contact.
• Regular opportunities to meet and share best practice with other caseworkers.
• Range of support from central and regional volunteer operations team.
• Reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be covered by SSAFAs Public Liability Insurance whilst carrying out the role.

What are we looking for?

• Friendly and approachable with good listening skills, patience, and a positive attitude.
• Good communication skills both written and verbally.
• Respectful and non-judgemental approach with beneficiaries, their family, other agencies and SSAFA colleagues
• Willingness and ability to use IT systems for initial and on-going training and to enter cases on the Casework Management System. Willingness and ability to send and receive emails – you will receive your own SSAFA email address which you will be required to use when exercising your role.
• Ability to make enquires on behalf of beneficiaries by phone, email, letter or by filling in forms.
• Ability to keep within boundaries of the role with regards to friendship or giving advice
• Reliable, prompt and trustworthy.
• Access to public transport or a car to travel to appointments with clients.

We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds, abilities, races, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and of all faiths and none. SSAFA are committed to making reasonable adjustments to support volunteers with disabilities, so they have access to the same opportunities and experiences as volunteers who do not.

Minimum Age: 18

Safer Recruitment: SSAFA undertakes a systematic approach and utmost care at every step of the process of volunteer recruitment, selection, and retention to ensure that those recruited are suitable and appropriate. Measures taken at points along this journey work together to make volunteering at SSAFA a positive and safe experience.

References Required: Yes. We will ask for two character references, this can be a former employer or someone that know you well (other than a relative)

Is a criminal record check required? Yes, this is provided by SSAFA at no cost to the potential volunteer. This role requires an enhanced check (including checks against the children and adults barred list)

*A disclosure certificate that contains convictions, cautions, warnings, reprimands, or other information may not automatically mean that you are not able to volunteer. All certificates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and, where possible, a modified or alternative role will be offered.

Are you committed to delivering high-quality care? Do you have experience working as part of a multidisciplinary team?

As a County Lead of South & West Yorkshire you will be part of the establishment of a County St John Council to oversee and guide volunteer Community Networks aims to create a structured and supportive framework that empowers volunteers to operate more effectively and efficiently. By providing strategic leadership, coordination, and oversight, the council ensures that volunteer efforts align with community needs and priorities while avoiding duplication of services.

St John has embarked on a journey to achieve the goal of ensuring that every community and young person across the country is first aid confident.

We are looking for a leader with a passion for local volunteering and helping communities to inspire and support volunteers on this journey across your county

The post will also interact with relevant Communities of Practice to share learning, advice and best practice

A County Education & Volunteer Experience Lead will support delivery of the community engagement and education across the Community Networks to enable to county to deliver on SJA's mission that first aid should be in the hands of everybody. They will also support personal growth and development of volunteers alongside recruitment and onboarding of new volunteers across the whole volunteer journey.

Assist Networks in writing and implementing effective community plans. - Ensure volunteer leaders follow the recruitment and onboarding processes. - Support volunteer leaders in delivering an effective welcome and induction process to ensure volunteers feel valued and prepared for their roles. - Contribute to the reward and recognition programme. - Ensure volunteer leaders follow the leavers process to provide a positive and supportive exit experience. - Facilitate internal training opportunities. - Actively promote and support free and paid education and engagement activities being delivered in communities and schools. - Actively promote and contribute to the success of national campaigns.

The closing date for this vacancy is the 22/07/2026

Interviews - Date, Time and Location to be advised

Join FARA, a charity with over 30 years of experience and 39 charity shops across London. Our Chiswick shop is looking for a dedicated Clothes Repair Volunteer to support our team in preparing donated clothing for sale through basic repairs, alterations, and garment care.

By volunteering with us, you’ll play an important role in extending the life of donated clothing, reducing textile waste, and supporting our commitment to reuse and a sustainable circular economy.

The Role: 

As a volunteer, your responsibilities will include (but are not limited to):

• Repairing donated clothing, including sewing buttons, fixing hems, and mending minor tears
• Assessing garments to identify repair needs
• Carrying out basic alterations where appropriate
• Ensuring repaired items are presented to a high standard for sale
• Supporting the team in maintaining quality standards for donated clothing
• Organising and sorting garments as required
• Assisting with other shop activities when needed

The Volunteer: 

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has sewing skills and enjoys clothing repair or alteration
• Has a good eye for detail and garment quality
• Is friendly, approachable, and enthusiastic
• Is reliable and able to work as part of a team
• Knowledge of brands, materials, or collectable items is a plus, but not essential
• Previous experience with sewing, tailoring, dressmaking, or textile crafts is desirable but not essential

What’s in it for You?

At FARA, our shops are run by welcoming and collaborative teams where everyone works together. You’ll gain valuable experience, working alongside supportive colleagues who help each other develop, learn, and celebrate achievements. Full training is provided, and we offer a positive, inclusive, and safe volunteering environment.

Your Time:

Our shop operates from 10:00 to 18:00, and we’re looking for someone who can volunteer for a minimum of 4 hours either in the morning or afternoon, whenever you are available in arrangement with the shop manager.

FARA is committed to creating an inclusive environment. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the application process, please don’t hesitate to let us know.

Do you enjoy reading and want to make a real difference?

Reader

Do you enjoy reading and want to make a real difference?

As a Reader Volunteer, you’ll provide one-to-one support for blind and partially sighted people who need help with reading and writing. Whether it’s reading letters, filling in forms, or simply sharing a magazine or book aloud, your time and voice can make everyday life easier and more enjoyable.

Where & when?

·In members’ homes

·Flexible — visits arranged directly between you and the person you support

What you will be doing:

·Visiting people at home to provide help with reading and writing

·Supporting with post, correspondence, or forms as needed

·Offering ‘social reading’ such as magazines, newspapers, or books

·Building a friendly rapport and providing companionship through reading

What skills and experience are needed?

·Caring, friendly, and understanding nature

·Clear speaking voice and good communication skills

·Patient, reliable, and a good listener

·Able to commit for at least six months

·No special expertise needed — just confidence in reading aloud and a willingness to help

What will you gain from the role?

·The chance to make a real, practical difference to someone’s life

·Confidence and new experiences

·Improved wellbeing through helping others

·Lasting connections and shared interests

·Experience working with people with sight loss

What support will be given?

·Induction and training (including sight loss awareness and sighted guiding)

·Ongoing training and development opportunities

·Out-of-pocket expenses covered

·Support from your Home Services Coordinator

Criminal Record Check Information (DBS):

This role requires an Enhanced DBS check (working with adults at risk), as it involves supporting people in their homes.

Support the work of St John Ambulance in your community by volunteering as a Fundraising Lead, an exciting new role which is designed to revamp how volunteering looks in the modern world; flexible, innovative and is open for all.

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference, supporting them to become safe and more resilient. St John Ambulance is a charity, and our fundraising is vital in supporting our mission to place the power of first aid in everyone’s hands.

Through organising and supporting fundraising in your area, you will bring people along to our cause, growing our membership and fundraising base and spreading the message that First Aid Saves Lives.

Our vision is that everyone receives the help they need in a health crisis from those around them. We will achieve that by putting first aid at the heart of every community.​As a Fundraising Lead, you will coordinate the activity of a group of dedicated volunteers to achieve fundraising goals and support the work of St John Ambulance. Other aspects of the role include- coordinating and leading fundraising activity with your team, leading or supporting the recruitment of fundraising volunteers, supporting the promotion of local, regional and national fundraising campaigns and activities and working closely with the Community Fundraising Manager

With this new role, you simply volunteer when it works for you. That means you can give as much time as you like or as little as 24 hours across a whole year, whenever it suits you. It’s perfect for busy lives, and changing schedules

The Fundraising Lead provides an easy way to stay connected and contribute meaningfully to your local community. Through volunteering you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering an essential service. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation, and it requires only a small commitment of your time.

Once we have completed your selection and screening for this role, we will provide you with an induction, as well as invite you to any necessary training sessions. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles is included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

The closing date for this advert is 11/072027

Date, Times and Location for the interview to be advised

Date, Times and Location for any training to be advised

At St John Ambulance we are looking to embed ourselves within our communities, delivering support which is tailored to the needs of those communities whilst providing a positive experience for our Volunteers.

We need leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their communities, who care about helping and developing others, who will lead and inspire a volunteer movement across a geographical area to deliver Community First Aid, Community Education and Community Fundraising as well as develop our offering for young people. Through leading a team of Volunteer leaders, you will drive excellence in delivery, develop an inclusive and diverse volunteering experience for new and current volunteers, and help navigate through change to build a bigger and better St John Ambulance.

As a member of our network leadership team, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride through supporting a team and our volunteers to deliver our essential services. It’s great for you, great for your community and great for our nation.

We will make sure you will have access to a proper induction to volunteering with SJA and the training you need for the role you take on. We will also provide you with a supportive environment while you are volunteering with us. Information about our volunteer roles are included in the role descriptions. What you can expect from SJA, and what we expect from those who volunteer with us, is included in the volunteer charter.

Volunteers would be expected to attend training for the role both online and in person, to attend regularly network weekly meetings to enable them to keep their skills up to date.

If you are successful you will need to undertake relevant training for the role, details of which will be discussed after you have been appointed.

• Closing date for these opportunities is: 31/08/2026
• Interviews will take place - Date, Times and Location to be advised
• Inductions and training or this role will take place - Date, Times and Location to be advised