Children volunteer roles

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 early years sessions for families with children aged 0–5, including those with SEND and emerging needs, by promoting engagement and child development through group activities.

Key Responsibilities:

· Welcome and engage families in a warm, friendly manner

· Support the delivery of structured and free-play indoor and outdoor activities

· Encourage participation and interaction between parents/carers and children

· Promote children’s development through praise and positive reinforcement

· Work collaboratively with staff to support inclusive practice

Skills / Abilities / Experience / Qualities

· Enjoy working with children and families.

· Interest in child development

· Warm, approachable, and good at communicating with people of all ages.

· Reliable, punctual, and able to work well in a team.

· Respectful, inclusive, and sensitive to the needs of diverse families.

· Able to follow guidance and instructions from session leads

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

Have you got a passion for making an impact in your local community? Could you support us to launch community fundraising within your local community?

Help Caudwell Children to raise funds that support disabled and neurodivergent children to realise their full potential?

What will you be doing?

• Assist in planning, promoting, and delivering community fundraising events (e.g., charity walks, bake sales, raffles).

• Support local people with fundraising activities. •

• Represent the organisation at community events, ensuring a welcoming atmosphere and sharing information about Caudwell Children

• Keep accurate records of donations and fundraising activities in line with guidelines.

What skills would be useful?

• Friendly and approachable

• Organised

• Creative and enthusiastic about fundraising

• Previous fundraising or event coordination experience

What’s in it for you?

• Relevant training, mentoring and support will be provided

• Gain experience to add on to your CV

• Utilise your skills and learn new ones.

• Social opportunities

• Access to wellbeing support

• Out of pocket travel expenses can be reimbursed

• We strive to make reasonable adjustments and improve accessibility

How much time are you expected to give and when?

Volunteering is flexible. The brilliant thing about this role is you can do as much or as little as you like. Weekdays or weekends, daytime or evenings, there is lots of choice.

Where is the role located?

Looking for volunteers based across Staffordshire, support provided remotely. Minimum age for this role: 16

Airplay is part of the RAF Benevolent fund and run by One YMCA. We provide youth clubs for children aged eight to eighteen which includes Ben Clubs for children aged 5 to 7 too. We provide a range of social activities in state-of-the-art facilities with sessions run by our friendly youth workers.

Location

Multiple locations available across:

· Oxfordshire (RAF Benson/RAF Brize Norton)

· Bedfordshire (RAF Henlow)

· Buckinghamshire (RAF Halton/High Wycombe)

· Wales (RAF Valley)

· Wiltshire (MOD Boscombe Down)

· Hampshire (RAF Odiham)

· Cornwall (RAF St Mawgan)

· West Midlands (RAF Cosford)

· Shropshire (RAF Shawbury)

·       Hampshire (RAF Odiham)

MAIN TASKS/RESPONSIBILITIES:

· To support the provision of the Airplay and Ben Club activities and workshops

· Developing relationships with young people in a safe environment

· Supervising children and young people in activities, workshops and discussion sessions

· Engaging in learning and play with younger children

· Working with children and young people to track their progress

· Data entry/light admin work may be required

YOU WILL NEED:

· Good communication skills

· Knowledge/Experience of working with children/young people/families

· Ability to engage with young people

· Team player with a flexible approach

· Non-judgmental and understanding in the differing needs of families

· Any practical skills to assist with activities

· Basic understanding of confidentiality and safeguarding

· Respect the Christian Ethos of One YMCA and uphold its values 

YOU WILL RECEIVE: 

· A full induction to Airplay will be provided

· Requirement to complete online e-learning including Safeguarding and Health & Safety

· A menu of optional training will be provided

· Ongoing support and regular 1 to 1s

· Opportunities to attend volunteer meetings and events

· You will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check

· Additional checks may be required for individual RAF Stations

· Two references will be required

Seeking childcare for children aged 0-12 for a community arts project in Vauxhall. We are looking for volunteers to look after the children of our participants during our sessions.

The Amies Projects (part of Pan Intercultural Arts) are music and drama projects for women survivors of human trafficking, providing an uplifting and empowering space for participants to make friends, learn new skills and get creative together. We hold several sessions each week and provide childcare for all the participants who need it, with 2 childcare volunteers during each session. The sessions for the participants are in an adjacent room to the childcare space, meaning parents are nearby.

Key Info

Sessions are 2 hours long

We share a meal before starting sessions, and have a short debrief afterwards

Project is based in Vauxhall

Induction training provided (building induction, safeguarding, boundaries)

Sessions are term time only

Availability

We are seeking weekly childcare support for the following sessions (term time only):

Mondays 17:45-20:00

Tuesdays 14:15-16:00

Tuesdays 17:45-20:00

Essential

Some experience looking after children aged 0-12

Willingness to undergo Enhanced DBS check

Desirable

Understanding of safeguarding (we will offer training if not)

Description of role

To provide childcare for young people aged 0-12. During the session there is no set curriculum to follow. We encourage children to be creative, offering arts supplies eg play doh and crayons, as well as toys for creative play. Children will have food during the session, which will be provided either by the charity or by the parents depending on the age and preferences. Children will need to be supported to use the toilet, nappies changed etc. We ask that volunteers alert staff of any safeguarding issues arising.

Can you spare 3 hours a week to make a difference to the lives of children? Home-Start Volunteers offer support, friendship and practical help to families.

We are looking for compassionate, non-judgemental and caring individuals to join our community of volunteers to share their parenting experiences and knowledge with families. Home-Start is one of the leading family support charities in the UK and Home-Start Warrington and Cheshire work in Northwich, Warrington and Winsford. Our volunteers provide a weekly, one-to-one home-visiting service. We help families from all backgrounds, with at least one child in the household under the age of 5 years, through their most challenging times.

Your role will be to offer support to a family you are matched with and support them in the way that they would like: this may include help with practical tasks such as getting out of the house, attending appointments, an extra pair of hands on a trip to the park or a playgroup, role-modelling how to play with children or helping to get organised. It could also involve empathising and supporting through emotional issues in a compassionate and non-judgmental way. All visits are a maximum of three hours, once per week and all take place Monday to Thursday, between 9am and 4pm (and only when our office is open).

Home Start also deliver targeted groups to support families, a place for families to connect, learn and play together. Volunteers support Home Start staff to deliver groups for families – from helping to set up/clear away, role-modelling playing with the children to parents and offering friendly emotional support to parents.

We will train you to Home Start Warrington and Cheshire standards of excellence. The training is free and is delivered by a combination of online modules and four, weekly, face to face sessions with one of our Family Support Coordinators. 

The course will cover 

The role of a Home-Start volunteer

Values, attitudes and inclusivity

Confidentiality

Listening and communication

Meeting the needs of families and children

Safeguarding

Our next volunteer course of preparation is due to start in September. We offer the course in two locations - Warrington on Tuesday's or Winsford on Thursday's.

Volunteers will receive ongoing support and supervision from our Family Support Coordinators and there are opportunities for further training. Your experience, attributes and competencies will be recognised, and you will have the opportunity to develop them further.

Home-Start Warrington and Cheshire is committed to safer recruitment practise as an important part of safeguarding and protecting children and vulnerable adults. Any offer of a voluntary role is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check, two satisfactory references and to have completed our preparation course and signed our Code of Conduct and relevant policies and procedures before they will be able to volunteer with a family or at one of our groups or events.

Make a difference for children in Northwich, Warrington and Winsford and enquire today.

Do you want to help disabled and neurodivergent children and their families who may be struggling to live their lives to their full potential?

You can help us by providing family support in your local community 

What will you be doing?

• Gathering information about family needs in person at local family hubs
• Supporting families in accessing useful information and connecting them with services.
• Researching and maintaining a directory of local community support services and groups.
• Identifying and attending community outreach/family engagement events to raise awareness of services in the local area.
• Providing emotional support to families

What skills would be useful?

• Good interpersonal skills
• A good level of written and verbal communication
• A good level of computer literacy
• A good eye for detail
• Experience supporting disabled or neurodivergent children
• Experience supporting families in health and social care sector

What’s in it for you?

• Relevant training, mentoring and support will be provided
• Gain experience to add on to your CV
• Utilise your skills and learn new ones
• Social opportunities
• Access to wellbeing support
• Out of pocket travel expenses can be reimbursed
• We strive to make reasonable adjustments and improve accessibility

Location:

Stafford Family Hub Faraday Road, Stafford, ST16 3NQ

Age limit:

18

Schedule / How much time are you expected to give and when?:

For the role to be mutually beneficial, we hope for volunteers to volunteer for 6 months.

The 2nd and 4th Monday of the month 1pm-3pm (possibility of weekly sessions tbc)

Job Description – Volunteer Senior HR Manager

Organisation: Children With Voices

Location: Hackney, London - Hybrid

Job Purpose

The HR Manager plays a vital role in supporting the vision and mission of Children With Voices by ensuring that all HR practices are fair, compliant, and aligned with safeguarding, equity, and community wellbeing. This role is responsible for overseeing all aspects of human resources, from recruitment and staff development to compliance and wellbeing initiatives. The HR Manager will be instrumental in creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where staff, volunteers, and young people can thrive.

Key Responsibilities

• Leading our HR function and setting the standard for how we recruit, support and look after everyone here
• Leading our HR Support and Administration volunteers, giving them direction and helping them develop
• Making sure our policies and practices hold up against UK employment law and safeguarding requirements
• Advising managers on people matters, and telling us plainly when something needs paid professional or legal advice
• Building fair, inclusive and safe recruitment and onboarding across staff and volunteers
• Overseeing HR and volunteer records so they are accurate, secure and compliant with data protection
• Helping us build honest processes for supervision, wellbeing and handling concerns
• Ensure workplace compliance with health and safety legislation.
• Embed safeguarding responsibilities across all HR practices, ensuring no child or vulnerable adult falls through the gaps.

Person Specification

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience in an HR management role, ideally within the charity or community sector.
• Strong knowledge of UK employment law, HR compliance, and safeguarding requirements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust at all levels.
• Experience managing recruitment, onboarding, and training processes.
• Ability to mediate and resolve conflicts in a fair, professional, and sensitive manner.
• Strong organisational skills with attention to detail and confidentiality.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and community empowerment.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

Senior HR experience and current knowledge of UK employment law. Real experience of leading a team, because you will have volunteers looking to you. The judgement to know what you can decide and what needs escalating. Absolute discretion, as you will handle confidential information. Charity experience is welcome but not essential.

• CIPD qualification (Level 5 or above) or equivalent HR certification.
• Experience working with volunteers, young people, or community-focused organisations.
• Knowledge of charity governance and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience in developing wellbeing or mental health initiatives.

What you will get from us

Full ownership of a people function you can build the way it should be built. Direct access to our CEO and a real voice in how this charity runs. A team of your own to lead. A personal reference, and the knowledge that everyone here is better looked after because of you.

Children North East provides life-changing services including vital mental health counselling, community interest projects, support for families in crisis, and safe spaces that help children and young people overcome obstacles and thrive. 

By volunteering in our first flagship charity shop, you are helping us invest in a brighter tomorrow for babies, children and young people across the North East. 

We welcome volunteers aged 18+ who can spare any amount of time - whether a few hours occasionally, regularly scheduled days, or just whenever suits you. 

What you will be doing 

 Engaging with customers, providing a welcoming environment that enhances their shopping experience 

 Processing payments and encouraging sign-up to Gift Aid 

 Accepting donations and accurately completing Gift Aid processSorting, preparing, and organising donated items for display 

 Assisting with creative in-store displays and window arrangements. 

The skills you need 

 Approachable and enthusiasticWillingness to learn 

 Flexible and happy to adapt to a variety of shop activities day-by-dayKeen to be part of a supportive team of staff and volunteers 

What's in it for you 

 Gain valuable experience in retail and customer service 

 Develop your skills and knowledge for your CV and increase your employability 

 Flexible volunteering, designed to suit your availability and lifestyleEnjoy the camaraderie of a welcoming, supportive team 

 Be an integral part of creating positive community impact 

 Join an established charity with over 130 years of history supporting children and families 

The Pirate Castle is looking for a voluntary Treasurer Trustee to join our friendly and committed Trustee Board.  We are an iconic Camden-based community boating charity, established in 1966; we are proud to say that 2026 is our 60th anniversary.

Our well-known castle building sits on the banks of the Regent's Canal in the heart of Camden Town.  We rent out our community space and offer a range of watersports for children and adults of all ages and abilities.  Kayaking and canal boating are core to our work and we tackle disadvantage and support our community by offering subsidised sport and recreation, including through the school holidays.  If you ever walk along the canal tow path in Camden you can't help but notice us on the water!

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in financial analysis or accounting, ideally with a professional accountancy qualification.The role involves working with our contracted Bookkeeper and Development Manager to monitor and oversee the charity's finances month-to-month and to report to trustees at Board meetings.  It also involves overseeing the preparation of the annual accounts, together with our external accounts inspector (our annual income level is below the audit threshold). 

The charity is in a sound financial position.  As the Treasurer you will also be involved in and have an important voice in the charity's strategic management and governance.  We are a friendly Trustee Board and staff team, looking for a Treasurer with solid financial analysis and an ability to communicate with others from all walks of life.  You can expect about 4-5 hours' work per month on average.  The Board meets 10 times each year, usually on a Monday evening.  Most of our meetings are held remotely though two meetings each year are held in person in our Camden Castle building. 

Please note this is a voluntary (unpaid) position.  As a Trustee you would be a director of our company limited by guarantee.  We maintain directors and officers insurance for our Board members.

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 represent Family Centre Services within local communities and help strengthen the link between families and the centre by promoting services and support available.

Key Responsibilities:

· Promote Hertfordshire Family Centres by attending toddler and parent groups and local activities.

· Distribute leaflets, posters, and other promotional materials in community venues (e.g. libraries, health centres, nurseries, shops).

· Talk to parents, carers, and professionals about the Family Centre offer, signposting them to services and activities.

· Share updates on Family Centre activities through word of mouth, local networks, and community noticeboards.

· Provide feedback to Family Centre staff about local needs, events, and opportunities for engagement.

· Represent the Family Centre in a positive and professional way at all times.

Skills / Abilities / Experience / Qualities

· Friendly, approachable, and confident in talking to new people.

· Good communication skills.

· Reliable and able to work independently as well as part of a team.

· Enthusiasm for supporting children, families, and the local community.

· Respectful of diversity and inclusive of all families.

· Knowledge of the local area and networks

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

The Children's Book Project is a national charity on a mission to tackle book poverty. We passionately believe that every child should have the opportunity to own a book and have, in the last year, celebrated gifting our 1 millionth book! We are looking for some wonderful volunteers to help us in managing book sorting and packing with a range of amazing corporate volunteers at our three HQs in Birmingham, Leeds and London.

We gift beautiful pre-loved and new books to schools and we gift within prison settings in order to reach children who may not otherwise have access to book ownership.

We are looking for volunteers in Birmingham, Leeds and London able to help us in the running of our book sorting days at each of our three HQs.  Ideally you will be able to commit to 2-3 days per half term.  (We work term-times only).  Our hours are 10am - 2:30pm.

We work with a range of amazing corporate volunteer teams who come to organise, sort and then pack our books in preparation for delivery. These corporate days are always full of energy and fun and we are looking for energetic and passionate people to support these events as Volunteer Coordinators - helping to make sure that there is a warm welcome, a clear plan for the day and that our one-off visitors can contribute productively.

What is required:

• On average, a commitment to 2 days per half term 
• Flexibility to travel to your local HQ for sorting and corporate volunteering days
• A can-do attitude and enjoyment of working as part of a team.

In return, you’ll get to be part of an extraordinary family of volunteers as we make a real and lasting difference to young lives – there is almost an immeasurable benefit to empowering a child to read for pleasure and we believe that no child should be denied access to a book through poverty. We would love your support!

Do you want to help disabled and neurodivergent children and their families who may be struggling to live their lives to their full potential? You can help us by providing support in your local community.

What will you be doing?

• Gathering information about family needs in person at local family hubs
• Supporting families in accessing useful information and connecting them with services.
• Researching and maintaining a directory of local community support services and groups.
• Identifying and attending community outreach/family engagement events to raise awareness of services in the local area.
• Providing emotional support to families

What skills would be useful?

• Good interpersonal skills
• A good level of written and verbal communication
• A good level of computer literacy
• A good eye for detail
• Experience supporting disabled or neurodivergent children
• Experience supporting families in health and social care sector

What’s in it for you?

• Relevant training, mentoring and support will be provided
• Gain experience to add on to your CV
• Utilise your skills and learn new ones
• Social opportunities
• Access to wellbeing support
• Out of pocket travel expenses can be reimbursed
• We strive to make reasonable adjustments and improve accessibility

Location:

Maryhill Family Hub in Kidsgrove, Gloucester Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST7 4DJ

Age limit:

18

Schedule / How much time are you expected to give and when?:

For the role to be mutually beneficial, we hope for volunteers to volunteer for 6 months.

The Kidsgrove sessions take place on the 2nd and 4th Friday morning of the month.

Holding On Letting Go needs General Duties Volunteers to join our team on either a Saturday or Sunday.  Your day would be made up of helping all of our activities run smoothly at our bereavement support days for children in Kent.  Tasks to be undertaken on the day could be moulding clay balls, laminating, photocopying, washing up paint pots and interacting with children on during their lunch and break times and this would ential kicking a football with the children outside, playing lego or pool or general chatting.  You would be paired up with another volunteer and full training will be provided.  You can choose the days that suit you (we ask all volunteers to commit to atleast 6 days a year with us) and you can pick which of our venues you would like to attend.  We have venues at Sittingbourne, Ramsgate, Sheppey and Sevenoaks. Mileage, food and refreshments are provided.

This role has multiple locations: Cannock, Burton, Yardley, Market Drayton, High Wycombe, Newport (Wales), Moreton

About Newlife

At Newlife, we exist to champion the joy of childhood for every disabled child. We envision a world where every disabled child has the support, equipment and encouragement they need to live, grow and flourish. We’re on a mission to empower all disabled children and their families to live life to the fullest.

By joining our community of volunteers, you can help change the lives of disabled children. Together we will make a difference.

Volunteer in a Newlife store

We're recruiting retail volunteers to support us as we head into the retail peak season and beyond.

Become a Retail Store Volunteer and you’ll join our friendly community of staff and volunteers. We’re always searching for volunteers to help in our nine UK stores. You can find shifts that suit you.

• Where? Cannock, Burton, Market Drayton, Newport (Wales), Moreton, High Wycombe, Yardley
• How often? Flexible, to be discussed 
• Age? Volunteers must be 16 and over (parental consent is required for volunteers aged 16 and 17)

About the role: 

Retail Support Volunteers get involved in a range of tasks including supporting customers, sorting stock and working on the shop floor. 

If you’re looking for retail experience, enjoy working in a busy environment and are a great team player, this is the opportunity for you. 

What you’ll be doing:

• Providing excellent customer service and dealing with any customer queries 
• Setting up displays in store to showcase products
• Sorting through new products and displaying stock on the shop floor 
• Helping to maintain the standards of the store, keeping it clean, tidy and organised
• Highlighting the importance of the work we do and raising awareness.
• Helping with in-store fundraising activities 

By volunteering at Newlife, you can:

• Develop new skills and try new experiences in a safe and inclusive environment
• Meet new people and develop new friendships
• Build your confidence
• Enhance your CV and develop transferable skills
• Share your knowledge and expertise 
• Have fun and be part of a fantastic community 
• Contribute to our mission and make a real difference to disabled children

We look forward to hearing from you!