Community volunteer roles

Job Title: Bid Writer Assistant                                                                         

Reports To: Department Manager 

Location: Remote

Employment Type: Volunteer (12 hours/week for 6 months)

About the Project – “Solta o Jogo”
“Solta o Jogo” is a vibrant cultural competition and festival celebrating Brazilian heritage through Capoeira, music, dance, acrobatics, and a Brazilian arts & crafts fair. Hosted at Kingston University Townhouse, the event invites the community to participate in free performances, workshops, and exhibitions promoting cross-cultural understanding.

As part of this initiative, we are seeking a Bid Writer to support Quilombo UK in securing vital funding and resources to further our mission. This remote volunteer role is ideal for someone who is passionate about community impact, writing, and making a meaningful difference in the Third Sector. You'll work with a supportive team, gain hands-on experience in funding applications, and help shape the sustainability of impactful community programmes.

Position Overview:
The Bid Writer Assistant plays a key role in researching, drafting, and editing compelling proposals and funding applications for various projects run by Quilombo UK. The role involves close collaboration with department leads, collecting relevant data, and ensuring submissions align with organisational goals and funder expectations. It offers the flexibility to work independently, with the support of experienced professionals and tailored training where required.

Key Responsibilities:

Proposal & Bid Development:

• Research, draft, and edit funding proposals tailored to specific grants, donors, and partners.

• Review and refine existing proposals to ensure clarity, compliance, and impact.

• Collaborate with internal teams to gather relevant content, project insights, and financial information for bids.

• Develop supporting documents and presentations to accompany applications.

Strategic Input & Collaboration:

• Contribute to the bid strategy, suggesting creative and relevant ideas aligned with organisational goals.

• Maintain and manage a structured “bid plan” with timelines, approval processes, and submission deadlines.

• Liaise with HR, Finance, Marketing, and Project teams to align bid content with current projects and strategic direction.

Reporting & Organisation:

• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of bid statuses.

• Organise bid-related documentation, supporting strong internal knowledge management.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in English, Communications, Business, or related fields.

Experience:

• Prior experience writing funding proposals or grant applications.

• Familiarity with fundraising, community initiatives, or nonprofit funding is desirable.

Skills:

• Strong written communication and persuasive writing skills.

• High attention to detail, organisation, and ability to meet tight deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word; Excel knowledge is a plus.

• Confidence in researching, planning, and collaborating across teams.

• Ability to work independently and maintain professionalism and confidentiality.

Benefits:

• Gain real-world experience in nonprofit fundraising and proposal writing.

• Work with a collaborative and values-driven team.

• Receive feedback and development opportunities in bid strategy and funding.

• Build a strong portfolio of written proposals and funding successes.

• Flexible working hours with full remote access.

• Reimbursement of travel expenses if attending occasional in-person meetings.

Equality Statement

Quilombo UK is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment. We promote equal opportunities in line with the Equality Act 2010. Discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated, and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds.

We are seeking two enthusiastic and committed individuals to serve on our Board. This is an exciting opportunity to join an ambitious organisation working at the intersection of law, campaigning and social justice. As a Trustee, you will help shape the future of PILC, ensuring that we remain true to our purpose while continuing to deliver meaningful impact for the communities we serve.

We are committed to developing and maintaining a Board that is as inclusive as possible and representative of the communities we work alongside. Therefore, having lived experience in an area of our work would be advantageous. We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, recognising that a diverse Board strengthens discussion, improves decision-making and helps us better fulfil our mission.

We are particularly interested in applications from individuals who have legal expertise (ideally in the non-profit sector), or expertise in Human Resources or Finance.

As a member of the Board of Trustees, you will oversee the strategic direction, governance and financial sustainability of the organisation. You will help ensure that PILC has a clear strategy, that its resources are used effectively, and that its activities remain aligned with its charitable objectives and values. You will also provide constructive support and challenge to the Senior Management Team, helping the organisation to develop, grow and achieve its mission.

Trustees have collective responsibility for the governance of the charity. This means that decisions are made collectively by the Board and trustees share responsibility for those decisions, always acting in the best interests of PILC.

Please note that this is a voluntary position, but reasonable expenses will be reimbursed. The time commitment for this role is approximately 8-10 days per annum. The Board meets online on the 3rd Monday of every other month from 6-8pm and trustees are required to attend with their cameras on. All Board papers are circulated usually 2 weeks ahead of the meeting.

Duties
As a Trustee, you will be expected to:
• Attend bi-monthly Board meetings (held remotely), having read the papers in advance and being prepared to contribute constructively to discussion and decision-making.
• Attend the annual Board away day and Annual General Meeting (AGM).
• Support, promote and provide advice on PILC’s charitable purpose, vision, values and strategic objectives.
• Approve operational strategies, policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.
• Oversee PILC’s financial sustainability by reviewing and approving budgets, PILC’s financial statements and monitoring and evaluating financial performance.
• Ensure that the charity is well governed, effectively managed and compliant with its legal and regulatory obligations.
• Support the effective management of risk and ensure that appropriate systems of internal control are in place.
• Provide appropriate support, constructive challenge and accountability to the Director in the exercise of their delegated authority.
• Keep informed about developments affecting PILC, the non-profit legal sector and the wider operating environment.
• Contribute to the regular review and continuous improvement of the Board's effectiveness and governance arrangements.
• Exercise independent judgement, act with reasonable care and skill, and always act in good faith in the best interests of PILC’s, managing any actual or potential conflicts of interest appropriately.
• Act as an ambassador for PILC, promoting its work and using your skills, knowledge, experience and networks to support the organisation where appropriate.

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.

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: If you have a particular interest, you can build on it to gain valuable retail experience to add to your CV, such as merchandising, 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 help out. From there, you can meet the rest of the volunteer team and get involved with whatever area of the shop takes your interest!

Across the UK, our volunteer groups play a vital part in supporting people affected by MS, bringing people together and connecting our local MS communities.

As an Administration Volunteer you’ll play an essential role in your local group.

You’ll act as the first point of contact for the group and circulate information to other volunteers and members. You’ll ensure that data and details are kept up to date, to comply with data protection legislation.

In this role you’ll develop your administration and organisation skills. 

Become a School Governor – Make a Difference in Your Community

Are you passionate about education and helping children achieve their full potential?

The Orchard Learning Alliance is seeking committed volunteers to join our Local Governing Boards in the Wokingham and Reading areas. As a governor, you'll work with school leaders to provide support and challenge, monitor the impact of teaching and learning standards, safeguarding, SEND, stakeholder engagement, health & safety, and finance, and ensure every child receives the best possible education.

No previous governance experience is required. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and professions who can bring enthusiasm, sound judgement, and a commitment to improving outcomes for young people. Full induction, training, and ongoing support will be provided.

This is a rewarding voluntary role that offers the opportunity to develop your own skills while making a lasting impact on your local community.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a local governor with Orchard Learning Alliance, we'd love to hear from you.

#SchoolGovernor #Education #Volunteering #Governance #MakeADifference #CommunityLeadership

Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our shops:

1. It's fun

2. It's flexible

3. You'll learn and share skills

4. You'll be making a difference

5. You'll work with a great team

We’re passionate about what we do, and love giving second-hand clothing a chance of going to a good home. Our shop teams are key to raising vital funds for our work and act as incredible advocates for the rights of children both in the UK and around the world.

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. Candidates must be over 18. 

Volunteering in the shop

Our Bearsden Shop Volunteers are in the middle of it all, and there’s plenty to get involved with. You might be sorting and pricing stock, engaging with customers, ringing items through the till, creating fantastic window displays or keeping our shop floor looking organised.

It’s up to you how much you commit. We have volunteers who support for a couple of hours a week and some do more. Many people volunteer either a morning or an afternoon each week - this is something that will be discussed at the selection stage, after you’ve applied.

Why volunteer with Save the Children?

In over 110 countries, we support children to transform their lives. By providing live-saving short-term help, and pushing for deep-rooted social change, we help children take, their future into their own hands. We believe every child has the right to learn. Every child should have good food to fuel their bodies and every child should have medicine when they're sick.

Skills and experiences we seek

We welcome applications from people with a wide range of skills and experiences. You don’t need any retail or shop experience as full training will be provided. What’s important to us is that you are a team player, open to learning and to follow our policies as well as be an excellent representative for Save the Children. 

We know that our shop teams are stronger when they are inclusive and representative of their communities. Everybody can make a real difference. People come to us for all sorts of reasons, from all backgrounds, and we will do what we can to find a role that works for you.

What happens next?

After you’ve filled in an application, we will invite you for an informal trial shift. It’s a great opportunity to visit the shop, meet some of our existing volunteers and have a go at some of the tasks that you would be supporting with as a shop volunteer. Hopefully allowing you to get a feel for the role and make sure it’s for you. We also ask for a couple of references (these don’t have to be formal workplace ones, just someone who has known you for over 6 months and isn’t related). 

How to apply

Express your interest on email via the apply button. 

Please note that this is a voluntary, unpaid role, based in the UK. We are unfortunately not able to provide support with visa requests. Candidates must be over 18. 

JOIN OUR VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP TEAM

HELP US BUILD THE SUNSHINE EXPERIENCE!

Location: London / Hybrid
Time commitment: A few hours per week, flexible
Type: Volunteer
Organisation: SUNSHINE Charity

WE'RE BUILDING SOMETHING SPECIAL. COME BUILD IT WITH US.

SUNSHINE Charity is a new grassroots London charity with a big mission:

To smash loneliness and social isolation through positivity, human connection, community and belonging — bringing SUNSHINE into people's lives.

We're building community-based activities, programmes and opportunities designed to help people feel connected, included, valued and part of something.

But we can't do it alone.

And we're now looking for three brilliant volunteers to join us at the heart of our Volunteer Leadership Team.

We're looking for:

1. HEAD OF VOLUNTEERING

The person who helps build and lead the whole SUNSHINE Volunteer Programme.

2. VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT LEAD

The person who helps us find the amazing people who want to bring SUNSHINE into people's lives.

3. VOLUNTEER ONBOARDING & TRAINING LEAD

The person who turns enthusiastic new recruits into confident, capable SUNSHINE volunteers.

These aren't traditional "sit quietly in the background" volunteer roles.

You'll be helping us build SUNSHINE from the ground up.

1. HEAD OF VOLUNTEERING

Could YOU build a volunteer community, people love being part of?

We're looking for an enthusiastic, people-focused and organised volunteer to become our Head of Volunteering and help us design, build and lead SUNSHINE's Volunteer Programme.

You'll be the strategic lead for volunteering and work closely with our Founder to turn our vision for volunteering into a vibrant, welcoming and well-organised community.

YOU'LL HELP US:

1. Design and develop the SUNSHINE Volunteer Programme.
2. Build our volunteer recruitment strategy.
3. Oversee recruitment, onboarding and training.
4. Help create volunteer pathways and opportunities.
5. Lead and coordinate our Volunteer Leadership Team.
6. Help establish volunteer policies, processes and good practice.
7. Work alongside safeguarding and compliance leads.
8. Develop volunteer engagement and retention.
9. Build relationships with volunteer centres, community organisations and partners.
10. Help create an incredible SUNSHINE Volunteer Experience.
11. Monitor what is working and identify where we need to improve
12. Keep the Founder informed while taking ownership of day-to-day volunteering

WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS:

• People-focused
• Organised
• Positive
• Confident
• Collaborative
• Creative
• Reliable

Experience in volunteer management, community development, HR, people management or a similar environment would be fantastic — but attitude, initiative and a genuine belief in SUNSHINE matter just as much.

We want someone who can build, learn, lead and make things happen.

2. VOLUNTEER RECRUITMENT LEAD

CAN YOU HELP US FIND THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BRING SUNSHINE TO LIFE?

We're looking for a creative, outgoing and people-focused volunteer to help us recruit the amazing people who will become part of our growing volunteer community.

You'll work alongside our Head of Volunteering to help SUNSHINE attract the right people — not just more people.

YOU'LL HELP US:

1. Create exciting volunteer recruitment campaigns.
2. Write engaging volunteer adverts.
3. Promote opportunities across London.
4. Manage volunteer enquiries and applications.
5. Help screen and shortlist applicants.
6. Support volunteer interviews.
7. Organise volunteer recruitment sessions.
8. Build relationships with London volunteer centres.
9. Explore partnerships with universities, colleges and community organisations.
10. Help develop corporate volunteering opportunities.
11. Encourage existing volunteers to recommend others.
12. Track recruitment activity and help us understand what works

WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS:

• Friendly
• Sociable
• Creative
• A great communicator
• Organised
• Enthusiastic
• People-focused

1. Maybe you've worked in recruitment.
2. Maybe you've worked in HR.
3. Maybe you've recruited volunteers before.
4. Or maybe you're simply brilliant with people and know how to get people excited about an opportunity.

If you can spot potential, tell the SUNSHINE story and make people think:

"I WANT TO BE PART OF THIS!"

We want to hear from you.

3. VOLUNTEER ONBOARDING & TRAINING LEAD

HELP US TURN "I'D LOVE TO HELP" INTO "I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!"

Recruiting great volunteers is only the beginning.

We want every person who joins SUNSHINE to feel welcomed, prepared, supported, confident and living and breathing the SUNSHINE Experience.

That's where you come in.

We're looking for someone who can help us build an engaging volunteer onboarding and training experience from the ground up.

YOU'LL HELP US:

1. Develop our volunteer onboarding journey.
2. Create engaging induction sessions.
3. Help develop volunteer training materials.
4. Coordinate mandatory training.
5. Support safeguarding and boundaries training.
6. Help volunteers understand their roles and responsibilities.
7. Support training around communication and participant engagement.
8. Track training completion.
9. Help volunteers through their first 30, 60 and 90 days.
10. Identify additional training and development opportunities.
11. Work with our Head of Volunteering to continually improve the volunteer experience.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS:

• Friendly
• Patient
• Encouraging
• Organised
• A good communicator
• Passionate about helping people develop

Training, learning & development, teaching, coaching, volunteer management or people development experience would be fantastic.

If you love helping people grow in confidence and you're excited by the idea of creating something from scratch, we'd love to meet you.

WHY JOIN SUNSHINE?

Because this isn't about filling a gap on a spreadsheet.

YOU'LL HELP BUILD A COMMUNITY.

A community where volunteers feel:

1. WELCOME.
2. CONNECTED.
3. VALUED.
4. SUPPORTED.
5. INSPIRED.

And where those volunteers can help us create those same feelings for people experiencing loneliness and social isolation.

You'll have the opportunity to shape how SUNSHINE recruits, welcomes, trains and supports its volunteers from the very beginning.

You'll have ideas?

BRING THEM.

See something we could do better?

TELL US.

Want to build something new?

LET'S BUILD IT.

THIS IS A START-UP — AND THAT'S THE EXCITING BIT!

SUNSHINE isn't a huge established organisation with 50 years of policies, procedures and bureaucracy.

We're at the beginning.

That means you won't just be maintaining something someone else built.

• YOU'LL HELP BUILD IT.
• You'll help shape our culture.
• You'll help shape our systems.
• You'll help shape our volunteer experience.
• You'll help shape our community.
• And you'll get to see your ideas become reality.

WORKING WITH THE FOUNDER

All three roles will work closely with our Founder and the wider SUNSHINE leadership team.

We're looking for people who are comfortable working in a start-up environment where things move quickly, ideas evolve and everyone sometimes has to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.

We don't expect perfection.

We expect energy, honesty, initiative, teamwork and a willingness to learn.

FLEXIBLE & HYBRID

These are flexible volunteer roles and the majority of work can be carried out remotely.

We'd love volunteers who can occasionally join us in person in Tower Hamlets and across Inner London, particularly for things such as:

• Volunteer recruitment sessions
• Volunteer inductions
• Training
• Volunteer meetings
• Community events
• Team activities & socials

The exact time commitment can be agreed around your availability.

We're looking for people who can give a few hours a week and who are able to make a consistent commitment.

WHO IS SUNSHINE LOOKING FOR?

We're much more interested in what you can bring than a perfect CV.

• You might be an experienced volunteer manager.
• You might be an HR professional.
• You might work in recruitment.
• You might be a trainer, coach or educator.
• You might have experience building communities.

Or you might simply be someone who is brilliant with people, full of ideas and wants to use your skills for something that matters.

1. If you are passionate about people...
2. If you love bringing people together...
3. If you're excited by the idea of building something from scratch...
4. If you want your volunteering to have a real impact...

COME AND BUILD SUNSHINE WITH US.

READY TO JOIN US?

HELP US BRING SUNSHINE INTO PEOPLE'S LIVES.

COME SHINE WITH US!

SUNSHINE Charity
Positivity • Human Connection • Community • Belonging

Could you be a Get Out There Group Children's Community Support Worker?

We have an exciting new opportunity for you to join our us at our at Get Our There Group in Leicester, providing support to children between the ages of 6 and 18 with complex needs.

This is a Volunteering role, working on Saturdays. 

The ‘Get Out There’ Clubs provide support for children and young people who still live at home with their families.

Working to promote communication skills, life skills, mobility and access to the community.

As a Children's Community Support Worker, you will work at our Get Out There group in Leicester. We provide support for children who have a range of complex needs, including sensory loses and learning disabilities.

You will join a great team of Support Workers, working well together supporting each other and sharing ideas, providing a good support network for families.

As one of our volunteers, you’ll get:

• Full training with ongoing support and guidance from your team.
• A chance to meet new people.
• A great way to develop new skills and share your existing skills.
• The feeling you get knowing you’re making a difference to the lives of disabled people with complex needs.
• A reference to support future applications for paid or voluntary roles.
• Support from our Mental Health First Aiders, should you need it. 
• Reasonable volunteer expenses reimbursed in line with our volunteer expenses policy.

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

Who are we: 
We are Buttons & Bubbles CIC. We are dedicated to increasing inclusion and representation across society for disabled families. We take a positive and proactive disability and illness. We don't conform to society's and the media's view that disability is awful, and you have no quality of life. Although we fully acknowledge it gives rise to come of the most heartbreaking and challenging times you will ever face. We ask everyone who joins Buttons & Bubbles to embrace this perspective. If you don't agree with it, then sadly we're not the right organisation for you. 

About the role: 
 
We are looking for people to join our communications team. Helping with a variety of tasks from social media scheduling to posting job adverts to helping create policies.  

Our values: 

We embrace disability and neurodiversity; it makes us a stronger and more brilliant team. No robots at Buttons & Bubbles, thank you! 

What are we looking for? 

We are looking for a few individuals who may have the following skills and experience. Don't worry if you haven’t as full training will be provided.

Skillset; 

• Communication skills  

• Editing cntent  

• Scheduling content  

• Knowledge of admin programs including spreadsheets and outlook 

• Organised  

• Adaptable  

• Willing to learn and develop  

• An individual with a creative mindset 

• Thrill of building an online community. 

• Have a basic DBS check

• Positive attitude towards disability or illness 

Benefits of joining Buttons & Bubbles C.I.C:  

• Gaining valuable experience. 

• Improving your confidence 

• Allows you to explore potentially different areas of interest. 

Benefits of volunteering with us:  

• Making a difference to the community 

• Makes a positive impact on people 

• Develop your current skill set and gain new skills. 

• Displays your level of commitment to future employers. 

• Displays your ability to balance and schedule your time effectively when seeking future 

• Employment opportunities

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 till volunteer, you'll be the friendly face of our shop, handling customer transactions with a smile. You'll provide top customer service, and help create a warm, welcoming atmosphere that keeps our customers coming back!

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: If you have a particular interest, you can build on it to gain valuable retail experience to add to your CV, such as merchandising, 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!

"Before I never used to open a book because I thought I couldn’t read but now I can. I used to think it was boring reading before but now I don't." - from a learner working with an ALT Reading Coach

The Adult Literacy Trust (ALT) wants to help adult learners break the cycle of poor literacy by offering them personalised reading support.

We offer one-to-one literacy support as a complement to formal teaching in education settings. We are dedicated to ensuring that adults who wish to improve their literacy skills - and to increase their life chances - receive the help they need to become confident readers.

Would you like to support an adult learner to become a confident reader? We are looking for volunteers to become trained Reading Coaches and work with adult learners on a one-to-one (or sometimes one-to-two) basis.

What it looks like in practice:

• Meeting a learner weekly, on-site at their college campus, typically before or after their formal classes for about an hour a week
• Building a constructive relationship with a learner
• Helping to check the learner’s understanding, build their confidence in reading, and provide support where needed
• Helping the learner practice skills they’re learning in the classroom and encourage confidence and resilience so that they persist with their studies

Where and when:

We have opportunities across London and we'll work around your schedule.

ALT is partnered with a range of colleges across London as we assign you to a location that works for you. All our locations are listed on our website. We are particularly looking for volunteers who can support learners on site at Westminster Adult Education Services based atLisson Grove NW8 8LW, New City College Tower Hamlets E14 0BX and Morley College Stockwell SW4 6RA. 

The timings are flexible - ALT match you to a learner based on your respective availability. Typically, most ALT sessions take place sometime between 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

Personal Specification:

No prior teaching experience or qualification is needed. We provide full training so that volunteers are confident to start their sessions. However, volunteers must:

• Be at least 18
• Be able to speak and write English well enough to communicate clearly.
• Have a minimum education of a secondary school level or equivalent (i.e. hold a GCSE or equivalent, in any subject).
• Be willing to undergo a DBS check (provided by ALT)
• Have the right to volunteer in the UK 

About us:

The Adult Literacy Trust provides adults with one-to-one support to improve their reading skills and confidence, as a complement to formal education provision, ensuring that individuals who wish to improve their literacy skills receive the help they need to become successful readers, and to increase their life chances.

Delivered through a network of specially trained volunteer Reading Coaches, our charity works closely with learning providers - such as Further Education Colleges and Institutes for Adult Learning - to assist people from some of the most disadvantaged communities who could benefit from enhanced support, strengthening learners’ outcomes from their participation in adult community education.

Role Overview

We are looking for friendly and enthusiastic Activity Volunteers to support our growing range of social groups and activities for people with sight loss.

Our groups provide valuable opportunities for people to socialise, build confidence and enjoy a range of activities, including seated exercise, quizzes, guest speakers and other social and creative activities.

As an Activity Volunteer, you will help create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels comfortable, supported and able to get involved.

What You'll Do

• Welcome and support people attending our groups and activities.
• Encourage social interaction and help attendees make connections.
• Provide sighted guidance when required.
• Support staff in welcoming new attendees and helping groups to grow.
• Encourage people to take part in activities.
• Gather ideas and feedback from attendees for future activities and events.
• Complete any training relevant to the role.

What We're Looking For

You don't need previous volunteering experience, but you should be:

• Friendly, approachable and welcoming.
• A good listener and communicator.
• Empathetic and understanding towards people living with sight loss.
• Willing to learn more about sight loss.
• Happy to get involved in a variety of activities.
• Flexible and reliable.
• Committed to the aims and values of Focus Birmingham.

Desirable

It would be beneficial, but not essential, if you have:

• Knowledge or personal or professional experience of sight loss.
• Previous volunteering experience.
• Experience within a social group, community or similar setting.

What You'll Get From Volunteering With Us

As a Focus Birmingham volunteer, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of people with sight loss.
• Gain valuable experience within a charity and community setting.
• Develop your communication, confidence and interpersonal skills.
• Receive relevant training and ongoing support.
• Meet new people and become part of the Focus Birmingham community.
• Build experience that can support your personal and professional development.
• Gain valuable experience to add to your CV and future applications.
• Be part of a friendly and supportive team.
• Be invited to wider Focus Birmingham events and celebrations, including our Focus Conference and Summer Social.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Focus Birmingham, we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We value the unique experiences, perspectives and strengths that people bring and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

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.

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

We are looking for an enthusiastic individual to coordinate the unit's fundraising activities, leasing with the Regional Fundraising Coordinator.

The successful candidate will be someone who can work in a team or on their own initiative, is outgoing, determined and energetic and has an enthusiasm for the work of St John Ambulance and it's values. Knowledge of their local community and experience of fundraising or event organisation would be useful but is not essential.

The closing date for this post is 11/06/2027 and interviews - Date, Times and Location to be advised

If you are an existing SJA volunteer or employee, please apply here:

If you are external to SJA, please apply below:

We are looking for volunteers who can offer time, conversation and companionship to older clients in and around Central London.

You can support someone by:

· Spending time with them in person

· Speaking with them regularly by phone

Your time and kindness can help older people feel more connected, happier and less alone.

What You’ll Do

You could be visiting someone at home or accompanying them in their community, chatting in coffee shops or talking while you walk. What you do will depend on what the client would like. Our clients are older Scots aged 60 plus who simply want to enjoy activities many of us take for granted.

As one of our volunteers once said, “this is an easy, very meaningful way to help someone and is immensely rewarding and fun!”  

Current Locations

Our current waiting list has clients in Stockwell, Hackney, Putney and Stepney Green. Locations will change as more referrals are made. If you want to make a difference to an older person’s wellbeing, please contact us — we may have a client in your area.

Time Commitment

Meetings are weekly or fortnightly for at least six months, although most volunteers stay involved for longer because they enjoy what they do. Phone calls are weekly and can be made from any quiet space at home or at work.

Who This Role Is For

This could be an ideal opportunity to gain practical experience of working with adults in a health and social care setting. It may also suit anyone who enjoys meeting new people and making their lives a little brighter.

Skills and Qualities Required

· Good communication and listening skills, including spoken English

· Friendly, warm and non-judgemental

· Honest, reliable and committed

· Empathetic

· Understanding of the importance of confidentiality and boundaries, which will be covered in training

Checks and References

An enhanced DBS check will be processed for successful applicants and two references are required.

Training and Support

We provide training before you start, ongoing support once you are matched, out-of-pocket expenses, references, social events and newsletters. The training will start in September. 

Please contact us for more information, and a very warm welcome.

Please note, we are unable to respond from 14th to end of August 26.