Centre assistant volunteer volunteer roles

Our small friendly Charity Shop in South Westminster

As well as being an important source of revenue for the Centre, the shop on Horseferry Road is the public face of the Cardinal Hume Centre to the residents and workers of Westminster. It can be a very busy environment with lots of regular customers. You will be part of a friendly, international team!  You will receive excellent support and opportunities to learn team skills and customer service.  You can obtain a reference for future employers.

How does this role make a difference?

You will be part of the fundraising team, raising funds to support the work of the Cardinal Hume Centre and promoting the work of the Centre to the public. Typically, the Charity Shop raises in the region of £50,000 per year.

What will you be doing?

Flexibility will be given where possible, but in general, volunteers will undertake the following tasks as part of this role:

· Customer service on the till

· Cashing up at the end of the day and walking the takings round to the reception and handing in to Finance Team

· Greeting and helping customers

· Replenishing the stock on the shop floor

· Sorting donations

· Helping present top items in window display and around the shop

· Promoting the work of the Centre to the public

Want to increase your skills in retail?

If you want to develop in this role, we are keen to support you.  There are more responsibilities you can take on in the shop, for example; opening and closing the shop, cashing up at the end of the day and helping with the induction of new volunteers.  Let us know if this interests you.  We also have employment advisors who can provide employment support.  Furthermore, if you want to expand your experience in the voluntary sector, you can combine your role in the shop with a volunteer role elsewhere in the organisation.

What are we looking for?

No special qualifications are needed to work in our shop, as relevant training will be given, however, we will be asking for the following qualities:

· Over 16+

· Good spoken English needed – at least Entry Level 3

· The ability to contribute to a positive team culture and atmosphere

· Be able to provide a friendly, high-quality service to customers

· A commitment to equal opportunities and to treating all individuals who visit or work in the shop with dignity and respect

· Physically fit - able to lift light bags and boxes and to comfortably use the stairs between the shop floor and the stock room.  Manual handling training will be given.

What is the time commitment?

The shop opening hours are 10am – 4.30pm, Monday – Friday.  A full or half day (10 – 1pm or 1 – 4.30pm) is ideal, but we are flexible and are grateful for even a couple of hours help each week. Ideally, volunteers will commit to a period of at least 4 months.

How will you be supported?

· You will be supported and trained in all areas of retail and customer service by the Charity Shop Manager and the Assistant Shop Manager.

· You will receive a Centre induction from a Volunteer Coordinator

· You will be reimbursed for reasonable and agreed ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses such as travel and also lunch if working a full day.

· For volunteers who stay for more than three months, we are happy to provide a reference.

Hertfordshire’s Family Centre Service brings children’s centres, health visiting and school nursing together, to provide a more joined-up service for children, young people, and their families.

The centres deliver a range of support groups and activities for children and their families to help them be healthy, grow and develop. To make it easy for families to fit sessions and services around their busy lives, access is available from any Hertfordshire Family centre. We have locations across the entire county so please do enquire ensuring you have provided your postcode. 

Main Tasks/ Responsibilities/ Activities

To support Public Health Nursing teams by helping parents use baby weighing equipment in a welcoming and safe environment.

Key Responsibilities:

· Welcome parents, carers, and babies to the self-weigh session in a friendly and approachable way.

· Explain how to use the weighing equipment safely and accurately (training provided).

· Support parents to record their baby’s weight on growth charts or apps as appropriate.

· Ensure the weighing area is safe, clean, and ready for families to use.

· Provide reassurance and encouragement to parents and carers.

· Signpost any questions or concerns about a baby’s health or development to a Family Centre staff member

Skills / Abilities / Experience / Qualities

· Friendly, patient, and approachable.

· Good communication and listening skills.

· Confident in supporting parents to use simple equipment (training given).

· Reliable, punctual, and able to work as part of a team.

· Respectful and non-judgemental towards all families.

Training / Support

· A full induction to the service and specific site will be provided.

· Requirement to undertake One YMCA online training courses

· To understand and implement One YMCA’s policies.

· Ongoing support and regular 1:1 meetings

· Access to organisational events throughout the year including Socials, Conferences and Training opportunities. 

Additional Information

· Undergo enhanced DBS check

· X2 References required

· Undertake additional training as and when required

· We offer to pay volunteers’ “out of pocket” expenses within agreed guidelines

Role summary

To assist with the picking, packing and despatching of New Goods orders to all St Helena shops, via the Donation Centre delivery operation.

Main duties of the role

• Assist with the picking and packing of New Goods stock, preparing it for pick-up via the Donation Centre delivery drivers

• Assist with the unpacking of goods from outside suppliers

• Work as part of a small but busy team

r• Ad hoc printing, laminating etc when required

Our busy Homework Club is part of our delivery of child and family support services, in order that low income and vulnerable families have improved access to services, employment opportunities and life chances.

Do you have some teaching or coaching exeperince either as a parent, classroom assistant or teacher? On Fridays afternoons from 3.30-5.30pm the Centre provides an after-school Homework club during term time. Children from three local primary schools, and a few from Year 7 attend the club.  Many come from families where English is a second language.

Volunteers sit on a table with 1 or 2 children and provide help with their homework, maths and English work mostly, and some reading.  Volunteers commit to one session a week on Friday (3.30 – 5.30pm). 

Our Mission

Each Person Matters: The Cardinal Hume Centre enables families, children and young people to overcome poverty and avoid homelessness.

What are we looking for?

• Ideally you have some experience in teaching, either professionally, voluntary or at home with your own children. 
• You are friendly, patient and can have rapport with children easily.
• Able to help with maths and English at primary school level. 

What is the time commitment?

• Ideally at least one academic term
• Fridays, 3.30 – 5.30pm at The Cardinal Hume Centre and we are trialing an outreach sessions at a local Library & Hotel on otger weekdays

How will you be supported?

• You will be supported by the Family Services staff team. 
• You will have access to wide range of e-learning topics.  Child safeguarding and fire safety awareness is mandatory for all new volunteers.
• You will be reimbursed for travel expenses.

Volunteer Toddler Activities Assistant (Term Time)

About The Role

At WWT we shape unforgettable experiences; we want people to feel part of something amazing and this includes our youngest of visitors and the people they visit with.  We are therefore looking for keen and enthusiastic people to help run our weekly Wednesday term time toddler group: The Gosling Gang. You will enjoy working with other volunteers, families and young children; have good communication skills, an outgoing personality and an ability to think on your feet.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You’ll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 
 
If you are interested in volunteering for WWT but don’t wish to apply online, please email us, give us a call and leave us a message with your name and number. 
 
Just to let you know, some of our roles are very popular. To help our teams and minimise disappointment for people kind enough to want to support us, we might take roles down before the closing date if we get a lot of applications. If you do miss a role, or are looking for something particular, you can sign up to opportunity alerts. 

About You

No formal qualifications are required. However, for this role it is essential that you have:

• Experience of working with the toddler age group
• Excellent communication skills
• Willingness to talk to visitors both on a one-to-one level and to larger groups
• An interest in Education related activities
• Previous experience in running similar events would be desirable

Unfortunately this role is not suitable for Under 18’s.

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife – talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake…
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life

How to Apply

For more information on this fun role, and others, and to apply please visit our webpage. 

Thank you for your interest in supporting our work, we look forward to hearing from you! 

Are you interested in fashion, weddings or proms? Then this could be a fantastic volunteer role for you. The role includes helping brides pick out a dress for their big special day, chatting to the relatives and making the experience one to remember! The St Barnabas Shop in Worthing town Centre offer a wide range of beautiful affordable outfits, including wedding dresses, suits and prom dresses.

You’ll get the chance to meet new people and make friends, plus you’ll be part of a fantastic team of volunteers. We are ideally looking for assistance on a Saturday and one day during the week, however please do get in touch to discuss availability.

About The Role

 At WWT we believe the best way for people to understand and connect to wetlands is to experience them, so we bring awe-inspiring nature up close and let it do the talking. People feel part of something amazing and are motivated to make a difference.

By providing an excellent visitor experience as a member of the visitor services team, you will be encouraging our visitors to make the most of their visit to Washington Wetland Centre, and to understand and support our work to save wetlands for wildlife and people.

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You'll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need.  

About You

To carry out this role, you will need:

• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Good listening skills, with the ability to adapt your approach to suit your audience
• Confident in the use of multi operation tills
• A confident attitude and/or experience of successful face-to-face contact with the public
• Commitment to excellent customer service
• An interest in and enthusiasm for the work of WWT
• The ability to work under your own initiative under the direction of the Visitor Services and Engagement Officer
• Commitment to undertake relevant training

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you'll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife - talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake...
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life

Are you interested in fashion, weddings or proms? Then this could be a fantastic volunteer role for you. The role includes helping brides pick out a dress for their big special day, chatting to the relatives and making the experience one to remember! The Chestnut Tree House Shop in Bognor town Centre offer a wide range of beautiful affordable outfits, including wedding dresses, suits and prom dresses.

About the Role 

We are Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C. We aim to increase inclusion and representation for disabled families across society. We have several different services including bespoke characters, workshops, free resources, events, sensory trails and more. 

As Buttons & Bubbles continues to grow, we are hoping to put together a team of assistants who will be responsible for attending in-person fundraising opportunities. Volunteers will help with small tasks at the events we attend and organise. This may include helping children take part in our activities, setting up and packing away equipment, and engaging with families and members of the public. 

Who Are We Looking For? 

• Someone who is passionate about our mission of inclusion, representation, and belonging. 

• No prior experience is necessary, but an enthusiasm for creating events and supporting fundraising efforts is essential. 

• You should be happy working as part of a team while also being confident in taking on tasks independently. 

• Be able to commute to Surrey and Berkshire for our events. 

What Do We Expect? 

• Must be willing to undertake our training programme, which will be completed virtually at a time that suits you. 

• Have a DBS check (preferably be on the update service) or be willing to complete one with us. 

• Sign our volunteer contract. (If you disagree with anything in it, please discuss it with us, we’re happy to make small changes where appropriate.) 

• Have a positive attitude toward disability and illness. We’re always happy to answer questions about this. 

What Can You Expect? 

• A kind, caring, and nurturing company that values its people, staff, and volunteers. Our aim is to keep your wellbeing at the centre of our work. 

• A community group that does not currently operate a rota system of any kind. Therefore, you don’t have to commit your time regularly only when it suits you. 

• A positive and proactive approach to disability and illness. Any and all accommodations you require will be made. If you’d like to discuss something privately, please email us to arrange a confidential chat. 

Benefits of Volunteering with Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C 

• Make a difference in your community. 

• Have a positive impact on people’s lives. 

• Develop your current skills and gain new ones. 

• Demonstrate your commitment and reliability to future employers. 

• Show your ability to balance and manage your time effectively. 

• Build your confidence. 

• Explore new areas of interest by taking on additional tasks if you wish. 

Do you have a flair for communication and a desire to help us reach more people?

As a Marketing & Communications Assistant, you will work closely with the Project Leader to spread the word about our amazing Akioke Karaoke Confidence Club. You'll help us promote the club to potential members, volunteers, and the wider community, ensuring its success and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Content Creation: Assist the Project Leader draft engaging text for promotional materials (flyers, social media posts, website content).
• Social Media Support: Help schedule and post content on relevant social media platforms (e.g., Facebook groups, local community pages).
• Community Outreach: Identify local community groups, centres, schools, and organisations that could benefit from our club, and assist with distributing promotional materials.
• Information Gathering: Research relevant online forums, notice boards, and events where we can promote the club.
• Feedback Collection: Assist in gathering testimonials or feedback from members (with appropriate consent) to use in promotional efforts.
• Administrative Support: Help organise and maintain marketing materials and contact lists.

We're Looking For Someone Who Is:

• Creative and has a good eye for engaging content.
• Organised and attentive to detail.
• Familiar with social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Instagram).
• Able to communicate clearly and concisely in writing.
• Proactive and able to take initiative with guidance.
• Reliable and able to commit to agreed-upon tasks.
• Passionate about the club's mission and helping us reach new audiences.
• Previous experience in marketing, communications, or social media is a bonus but not essential – a willingness to learn is most important!

Time Commitment: Flexible, approximately 2-4 hours per week, with tasks that can often be completed remotely or during mutually agreed-upon times, in collaboration with the Project Leader.

Based right in the heart of the city, Shopmobility is a vital and much loved service for all of our customers.  A place where they know they will be listened to, treated with dignity and provided with the best assistance we can offer them, to live their lives independently.

Equal Lives is a user led Disabled People's Organisation and we're really proud of Shopmobility!  It's the part of our organisation which is people facing, the part where our staff and volunteers get to represent us and interact with our customers on a daily basis.  So, it's vital that we have the right people on hand and that's where you come in!

If you've got a passion to help the Disabled community by empowering them to live the life they deserve, then you're our kind of person.  We're looking for those compassionate individuals who want to help others, who are happy to give a few minutes to listen to someone's story, to ask how their day was and to support them in working out the best solutions to suit their needs.

Shopmobility is a scheme that supports people to hire mobility aids during their visit to the city. We're based in Chantry Place (previously Chapelfield Shopping Centre) and we are looking for volunteers to help with all aspects of the day-to-day running of the shop.This is a great opportunity to volunteer, build your skills and meet new people! 

Role overview: 

 As is typical of working with the community, no one day is the same.  As such, the role may include, but is not limited to: 

• Opening the site ready for business and helping to prepare the shop 
• Closing the shop at the end of the day 
• Greeting customers and acting as a friendly, supportive and welcoming face 
• Supporting customers to work out what they need, and to hire the equipmen
• Keeping the site looking presentable and welcoming
• Handling cash and taking card payments
• Supporting people to sign up as Shopmobility members and to join Equal Lives as members
• Responding to queries on social media, email and telephone
• Taking future bookings for the equipment 
• Cleaning and maintenance of vehicles when they’re returned 
• Marketing and promoting the shop 
• Some other occasional ad hoc tasks as required

We’ll give you: 

• Comprehensive training, including Customer Service, GDPR, Safeguarding and Data Protection 
• The opportunity to choose your days and hours (within our opening times of Tuesday to Friday)
• An accessible city centre location 
• A variety of activities to challenge you and develop your skills 
• The opportunity to take on additional responsibilities as you gain experience 
• Specific tasks focusing on the skills you want to gain 
• A friendly and supportive team of staff and volunteers 
• A mapped out plan of personal development to help you evidence your professional progression

You will be doing really important work with this role, supporting those with mobility issues access the City to lead more independent lives. This opportunity gives you a fantastic chance to learn and develop great transferable skills. 

If you are looking for a volunteer role which gives you the chance to make a real difference to people's lives, this role could be for you. 

Volunteering Arrangements 

 The site will follow the COVID19 safety guidelines and volunteers will be reimbursed reasonable expenses incurred whilst supporting us.

All volunteers are required to undertake our core training programme. This covers basic safeguarding and other key features, such as data protection.

New volunteers will have an opportunity to ‘shadow’ experienced volunteers and members of staff 

Potentially, depending on the candidate, there may be additional opportunities to participate in a variety of accredited training courses. Please ask a manager for further details. 

Volunteers are required to adhere to the organisation’s policies and practice guidelines. 

Reasonable expenses, including travel whilst undertaking this role will be reimbursed. This includes mileage (currently £0.45 p/mile) and parking costs. 

Person specification 

• Honesty
• An ability to be empathic, whilst maintaining professional boundaries 
• Reliability, and only committing to a level of volunteering which is realistic 
• Good interpersonal skills 
• The ability to be non-judgemental 
• Good verbal and written communication skills 
• Excellent listening skills 
• Commitment to attend training courses and team meetings 
• Ability to follow organisational policies and procedures including safeguarding, data protection and health and safety
• Dedicated to the empowerment of Disabled people 

About Us

Focus Surrey runs a Saturday Club for autistic children aged 3 to 16. We provide a fun, supportive and child-centred environment where children develop communication, social interaction and early learning skills through play, guided by the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). Sessions are led by experienced practitioners, including Board Certified Behaviour Analysts (BCBAs).

We are recruiting volunteers to join our Saturday Club and support autistic children through play-based activities. This is a great work experience opportunity for students and individuals who are interested in developing their understanding of children with disabilities and gaining meaningful experience in psychology, SEN, education, therapy or related fields. The role supports early career development by offering practical experience in a structured and supportive setting where volunteers can build foundational skills confidence and understanding

The Role

As a Volunteer Play Assistant, you will support autistic children during structured and creative play activities, helping them build communication, social interaction and confidence in a positive and inclusive environment. You will work with qualified practitioners, gaining direct experience using evidence-based approaches such as ABA in practice, while receiving ongoing support and guidance throughout the sessions.

Volunteers are allocated a specific child based on their experience and interests, allowing you to build consistency and rapport over time. The role involves active engagement with children, responding to individual needs, and contributing positively to a collaborative and supportive team environment.

What You’ll Gain

· Hands-on experience supporting autistic children in a real-world SEN setting

· Practical exposure to Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) in practice

· Experience working alongside qualified practitioners and gaining support and guidance

· Development of transferable skills including communication, teamwork and behaviour support

· Increased confidence working with children with diverse needs

· Enhanced DBS check provided

Commitment and Timing

The club will run for 12 Saturdays between February 21st to May 23rd, 2026, from 9am to 4pm each day. Volunteers are encouraged to commit to the majority of the term to ensure consistency for the children and to gain the most from the experience.

Location

The club is based at Merton College in Morden. The venue is a five-minute walk from Morden South Station and is also accessible by bus routes 80, 93, and 154.

Volunteer canoe safari and guided boat tour assistant

About The Role

At the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust we believe that the best way for people to understand and connect to wetlands is to experience them so we bring awe-inspiring nature up close.  You will be directly involved in shaping our visitors’ unforgettable experiences through your warm welcome, your interaction with them and the information that you provide on the canoe safari and guided boat tours. 

Volunteers are an essential part of the WWT team. You’ll get a warm welcome, including information on training, equipment and anything else you need. 

If you are interested in volunteering for WWT but don’t wish to apply online, please email us, or give us a call and leave us a message with your name and number. 

Just to let you know, some of our roles are very popular. To help our teams and minimise disappointment for people kind enough to want to support us, we might take roles down before the closing date if we get a lot of applications. If you do miss a role, or are looking for something particular, you can sign up to opportunity alerts. 

About You

No previous experience is required as training will be provided.  However this role will suit you if you have a love of wildlife and the outdoors and are:

• Confident or experienced in talking to the public
• Able to work in a team of staff and volunteers
• Experienced in a visitor service environment with a strong commitment to excellent customer service
• Experience in canoeing is an advantage.

Please note that unfortunately this role is not suitable for Under 18’s. 

About Us

We’re WWT, and we’re on a mission to restore the super-powered ecosystems we call wetlands. There’s never been a more important moment for our work, and we’ve got some phenomenal people on the case.

Whether they’re taking a new visitor under their wing, or conducting ground-breaking research further afield, our team are second to none. And there’s nothing we love more than watching them soar.

Whatever you do here, you’ll be helping to restore wetlands and unlock their power. So, the only question left is, what role will you play?

Why you’ll love volunteering at WWT

• Feel good knowing you are helping to restore wetlands, and our world
• Be surrounded and inspired by like-minded wetland lovers
• Hear from the people who inject their energy, passion and expertise into wetlands and wildlife – talks, walks, webinars, tea and cake…
• Free entry to all our wetland centres, including your family
• Volunteer discount on shopping and memberships
• Access to webinars and practical information to help you manage daily life

For more information on this role, and others, and to apply please visit our website. 

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Join us in our mission to save lives at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance

We are looking for volunteers to assist our Shop Managers in our brand new shop in Hemel Hempstead

Key Volunteer Activities:

• Assisting with the donations of stock, by sorting and steaming and preparing for shop floor
• Maintaining good stock rotation and levels at all times
• Helping with visual merchandising when needed
• Greeting customers in a friendly and approachable manner
• Understanding the Charities key standards and Values
• Becoming familiar with our Health and Safety Policies and being able to convey these to other volunteers
• Assisting the Shop Manager on daily tasks such as banking and stock takes, recycling and shop rotas
• Maintaining a clean and tidy work place which encourages a happy environment to work in
• Commitment to being part of a regular rota
• Giving any other assistance in relation to the smooth running of the shop as may requested by the Shop Manager
• We also have some specialist retail volunteering roles in our shops and warehouse e.g. helping with e-commerce
• Our shifts are 4 hours but we have a flexible approach so can work around the hours available to you. Regular sign-up to the rota is appreciated. However, ideally we would like you be able to cover 2 or 3 shifts a week