Charity volunteer roles

Volunteering for Sense

Our amazing team of volunteers help us run over 100 shops across England and Wales.  Every donated item that you sort, prepare and sell helps to raise vital funds to support us in our mission to make sure no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, is isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our shops are at the heart of local communities – sharing the work of Sense, and helping to secure support for our life changing work.

What your role will involve

There are a variety of tasks that you can get involved with in the shop, including:

• Provide a warm, friendly welcome to customers.
• Provide great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience.
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public.
• Processing sales and serving on the till.
• Promoting Gift Aid and other Sense fundraising initiatives.
• Acting as an ambassador for Sense; promoting the shop and Sense in your local community.
• Supporting with the recruitment and training of new volunteers.
• Following health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone.

Will the role suit me? Yes, if you are:

• A team player who is good with people and enjoys interacting with the public.
• Enthusiastic and motivated with a positive attitude.
• Flexible, proactive, reliable and trustworthy.
• Confident with cash handling and have an eye for detail.
• Respectful of others and their diversity.
• Interested making a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind. 

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• Induction and other relevant training
• Ongoing training and support to remain compliant and current in your role.
• Reasonable volunteer expenses reimbursed in line with our Volunteer Expenses Policy.
• The sense of fulfilment that comes from making a meaningful difference in the lives of disabled people with complex needs.
• A great way to develop new skills and share your existing skills.
• A reference to support future applications for paid or voluntary roles.
• Support from our Mental Health First Aiders, should you need it. 

About Sense

Sense is a leading disability charity, here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life Together, we drive change, building a future where everyone has the power, choice and control to live the lives we choose. 

Our values

Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers. 

• We're creating change
• We're always learning
• We're better together

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. 

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

If you enjoy driving and would love to use those skills to help our cats, this could be the role for you. Our transport volunteers provide vital assistance to our teams and volunteer groups in the local area by transporting equipment, litter, food – and even cats! They have the essential role of connecting our network of volunteers, sites, vets and supporters.

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection, we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Arranging and transporting equipment, litter and cat food
• Transporting cats to and from vets, foster homes and centres
• Transporting equipment to and from events
•  

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!

A growing NGO in Malawi, working across education, livelihoods, health and environmental sustainability, is seeking a volunteer accountant to strengthen its finance systems.

The organisation has grown significantly and now manages multiple donor funded projects, with annual income of over £1 million. QuickBooks has been introduced, but is not yet fully embedded, and many processes remain manual.

The volunteer will work with the Finance and Administration Manager, wider finance team and senior leadership to review current systems, identify priorities and support practical improvements.

Key areas of support may include QuickBooks, budgeting, forecasting, cashflow, donor reporting, management accounts, internal controls, expenditure verification, audit readiness and mentoring.

This would suit a collaborative and adaptable finance professional who can balance a broad systems review with practical, hands on support.

______________________________________

Accounting for International Development (AfID) matches experienced accountants with charities, NGOs and social enterprises around the world. Our volunteers provide practical finance support, helping partners strengthen systems, reporting, controls and confidence.

Sorting Room Volunteer

Do you enjoy organising, spotting quality items and bringing order to chaos? Join our behind-the-scenes sorting team!

We are looking for volunteers to help process donated items and prepare quality stock for our charity shop. This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys sorting, organising and has a good eye for detail.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll play an important role in helping donated items reach the shop floor ready for sale.

Tasks may include:

• Sorting through donated clothing, books, toys and household items
• Checking quality and carrying out quality control
• Identifying valuable or desirable brands
• Pricing items ready for sale
• Organising stock in the sorting room
• Preparing donations for the shop floor
• Helping keep the sorting area tidy and efficient

We’re looking for someone who:

• Enjoys organising and practical tasks
• Has good attention to detail
• Has an eye for quality and presentation
• Has brand awareness (desirable, but not essential)
• Is reliable and able to work independently
• Enjoys being part of a friendly team

Time commitment

• Shifts are usually 10am–1pm or 1pm–4pm
• Regular weekly volunteering preferred, with some flexibility available

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 are seeking a Regional Assurance & Quality Lead to cover the Kent County. Would you be interested in helping St John Ambulance to provide high quality service in your local community? Could you actively promote and encourage consistent quality across all activities St John Ambulance delivers? If so, we need you. 

The Assurance & Quality team gathers information to evidence compliance with legislation, external regulatory requirements and SJA policies and processes. They work with colleagues across the charity to consistently monitor process and delivery against our agreed standards. At regional level, they are responsible for undertaking assurance and audit activities with the primary objective of producing evidence to support our ongoing regulatory compliance.

We are now looking to recruit a volunteer to manage the Assurance & Quality volunteer team in the region, providing clear guidance to enable the team to support their district teams and to actively promote Quality & Assurance good practice.

Deadline for applications is 31/07/2026 with interviews scheduled for 01/08/2026

If you are already a SJA employee or volunteer, please apply here:

If you are external to SJA, please apply below:

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. :)

Our vision for volunteering

Volunteering is and always will be at the heart of Cats Protection. It is joyful and inclusive. As a charity, working in partnership, together we transform the lives of cats, people and communities.

The difference you will make to cats and people

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help. Our Cat welfare team leaders have the important role of coordinating, encouraging and supporting teams of fosterer volunteers and cat care volunteers. They help make sure volunteers with direct cat care roles are happy and confident and provide advice and guidance when needed. This incredible teamwork means we are able to help more cats and kittens in need.

You can expect us to

• Make you feel welcome, included and respected in line with our values and behaviours
• Support you in having a positive and impactful experience at Cats Protection
• Cover agreed out-of-pocket expenses in line with our Expenses Policy
• Provide you with access to learning, development and engagement opportunities

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Volunteering alongside colleagues including the branch coordinator/team leader, Cat Welfare team, branch development manager and Vet team to ensure that cat care policies, procedures and standards are applied
• Support fosterers to follow cat welfare policies and procedures
• Acting as the main point of contact within the branch for cat welfare and ensuring that welfare updates are shared and implemented effectively
• Supporting the branch by ensuring that accurate and up to date records of all cats helped are maintained, using specified systems
• Attending relevant volunteer training sessions and encouraging other volunteers to do likewise
• With the other volunteers, recruit, induct and support all branch fosterers and cat care volunteers
• Represent the branch at relevant meetings
• Play an active part in the branch committee, being part of the branch team leading on cat adoption information and updates
• Collaborating with the cat adoption team leader to ensure the highest standards of cat care are applied in line with our policies and procedures

Time expectation

The time expectation for this role will vary depending on the number of volunteers and cats in care. Our cat welfare team leaders usually spend between 10 to 12 hours per week in this role which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed. 

You may be just the volunteer we’ve been looking for!

We are committed to building a diverse, compassionate and inclusive organisation where everyone can be themselves and do their best. We are courageous and compassionate in our purpose of helping people see the world through cats’ eyes. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we are all for cats. Join the UK’s leading cat welfare charity and help make a better life for cats, because life is better with cats.

PINT has been supporting people experiencing homelessness since 2006, established in London, delivering consistent, relationship-led outreach. PINT is launching in Liverpool this summer and we are seeking volunteers to help on a weekly basis. Whether it is 2 hours per week or whatever you can manage, we would love to hear from you!

This is a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference in your local community, gain valuable experience for your CV, get out and about, and meet some truly great people along the way. Most importantly, you will be part of something special, helping to bring PINT to Liverpool for the very first time and directly improving the lives of people who need it most.

The Role  

This is a hands-on, community-facing voluntary role focused on establishing PINT's presence in Liverpool through regular outreach, volunteer recruitment, and local partnership building. 

Key Responsibilities  

• Attending weekly outreach sessions, distributing food, and essential supplies to people experiencing homelessness 

• Building relationships with local businesses, organisations, and charities to develop partnerships and grow the outreach 

• Managing logistics including donation collection, session planning, and volunteer coordination 

• Growing PINT's presence and community awareness across the city 

Other Skills You Can Offer?

We would love to hear from you whatever your background. Whether it is marketing, PR, logistics, photography, fundraising, social media, or anything else you think could help, there is likely a place for you within the team. No contribution is too small, and every skill counts when you are building something from scratch. 

A growing women’s empowerment social enterprise in Uganda is seeking a volunteer accountant to strengthen budgeting, cashflow forecasting and financial systems.

The organisation supports over 300 women artisans, including single mothers, widows and teenage mothers, through vocational training and income generating opportunities linked to handmade crafts.

As international sales opportunities grow, the organisation wants to ensure its finance processes remain practical, sustainable and fit for purpose.

The volunteer will work with the Founder and Managing Director to review internal processes and controls, support effective use of Zoho Books, review the chart of accounts, improve budgeting and cashflow forecasting, develop simple management reporting tools and support audit preparation.

This would suit a hands on volunteer comfortable working closely with a small local team.

__________________________________

Accounting for International Development, AfID, matches experienced accountants with charities, NGOs and social enterprises around the world. Our volunteers provide practical finance support, helping partners strengthen systems, reporting, controls and confidence.

Position Overview:

An exciting and unique internship opportunity to work closely with SEED Madagascar's operations team in a respected UK international development charity; this position has strong vocational content for anyone looking to break into the international development sector, with future possibilities of progression into roles in SEED.

The postholder will gain experience in international development and gain understanding and skills across a wide range of duties associated with organising international staff and volunteer training, formatting and maintaining policy and procedure documentation, supporting recruitment and job postings, and volunteer programme marketing.

The internship spans a minimum of six months and is a remote role. The diversity of activities that will be undertaken provides training for an early-career development professional who can effectively and efficiently deal with a comprehensive range of tasks related to the complex world of overseas development work.

Reporting to: Operations and Administration Officer

Location: Remote

Commitment: Part-time, two days a week for a minimum of six months – with full flexibility to choose which two days you work and the option to adjust or change those days as needed.

Salary: N/A (voluntary)

Responsibilities:

1. Supporting the operations team by organising training for incoming international staff, including scheduling induction and training sessions, maintaining accurate training records, and occasionally preparing and updating materials and resources.

2. Supporting the operations team with policy, procedure and recruitment administration, which will include: formatting and updating policy and procedure documentation to a professional and consistent standard; formatting and posting jobs across platforms; and supporting administrative aspects of the recruitment process, such as scheduling interviews.

3. Supporting the operations team in promoting crowdfunding campaigns by creating engaging digital and social media content, assisting with case studies and testimonials, maintaining consistent branding and messaging, and providing general administrative support.

4. Support in developing, updating and implementing organisational databases and systems, support the health and safety culture across the organisation; and assist with administration tasks and any other tasks required by the Operations Officer and International Operations Manager.

It should be noted that the successful candidate will take on a variety of tasks outlined above. While SEED Madagascar will make every attempt to tailor the tasks to the post-holder’s desired area of experience, this will be balanced by the priorities of the organisation.

Desired Knowledge/Experience/Skills/Qualifications

• Hold or be studying towards an undergraduate degree or have an equivalent professional/experiential background.

• Knowledge and/or keen interest in the operations side of NGOs; previous experience in an administrative role would be an asset.

• Knowledge and/or keen interest in NGO marketing and communications; previous experience of content creation or social media management would be an asset.

• Excellent attention to detail and formatting skills, with the ability to produce clear, well-structured, and professionally presented documents such as policies, procedures, and job postings.

• Sound ability to adapt material for different audiences.

• Be able to conduct independent internet research.

• Be able to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Be able to financially support themselves for the duration of their internship as there is no stipend available for travel or sustenance.

• Strong written English is essential; French and/or Malagasy would be an asset.

• Be willing to take on administrative and organisational tasks, such as scheduling, filing, and note-taking, as needed.

Do you want to make a real difference?

At Oxfam, we're not just selling pre-loved items and unique finds – we're working together to build a radically better world. With your help, we will turn pre-loved treasures into resources that empower communities worldwide.

As a stock volunteer, you'll be behind-the-scenes, sorting and organising donations to keep our retail spaces well-stocked. Your keen eye for detail and passion for helping others will ensure our customers always have a great choice of items to buy.

Here's why Oxfam is the perfect opportunity for you:

Be a Second-hand Superhero: In our high street shops, Ecommerce Hubs and Online Shop, people like you help create exciting and inspiring collections – retail therapy with a purpose!

Increase Your Skills: Gain valuable retail experience you can add to your CV, such as following instructions, customer service, and teamwork.

Find Your Community: Meet like-minded people who share your passion for a fairer world.

Flexibility: We know life gets busy. That's why we offer flexible volunteering options. A few hours a week is all it takes to make a big difference.

Oxfam isn't just another charity shop. We're a movement of passionate individuals working to create a fairer world, and we’d love you to be a part of it!

What happens next?

After you apply, the manager will ask you to come in for an initial chat. This is not an interview, just a chance to get an idea of what you'd like to do in the shop. From there, you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!

About Trans Legal Clinic 

The Trans Legal Clinic is the first trans-led specialist gender identity legal practice and registered charity in the UK. The mission of the Trans Legal Clinic is simple; we provide free and accessible legal help to transgender and non-binary people in need. Our overarching vision is a society where all people have access to the legal resources required for gender self-determination and where gender diversity is not just accepted but embraced, with trans* people equipped with the necessary legal tools to navigate the world in their affirmed gender. 

What you’ll be doing 

The Casework department is the core of our organisation. The department helps clients across four key themes: Housing and Homelessness, Discrimination, Gender Recognition, Gender-Based Violence 

As a caseworker, you will work directly with clients by offering them support and advocacy.With support from our lead caseworkers, you will help progress cases by providing legal guidance, signposting clients to resources, writing letters, and other administrative support. It is a dynamic environment with truly rewarding work. Full training will be provided. 

About you 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with good communication and organisation skills to support the transgender community. Volunteering and administrative experience is beneficial but not essential. We are particularly interested in applications from people interested or studying law.