Community support volunteer roles

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

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

Training for role - Applicants will be shortlisted and interviewed, then inducted on a buddy system

Closing date for these opportunities is: 28/02/2026

To apply for this opportunity, please follow the link below:

About Circular Kitchens

Circular Kitchens is a social enterprise and membership platform designed to help restaurants, cafés, pubs, food stalls, and other catering businesses become fully circular: Plastic Free, Ecological, Local, and Zero Waste.

By working with the hospitality sector, we are helping regenerate local communities, strengthen regional food systems, and increase demand for ecological and regenerative agriculture in the UK. Our current focus is launching Circular Kitchens in Whitstable and supporting our first mover restaurants to achieve 3 Star Circular Kitchens certification. Based on learnings from this pilot, we are preparing to scale across the UK, growing our environmental and social impact.

Role Description

We are seeking a volunteer to support our marketing and communications efforts as Circular Kitchens continues to grow. This role offers the opportunity to contribute creatively across a range of marketing activities, working closely with our Marketing Lead.

Depending on interest and experience, the volunteer may contribute to:

• Supporting website updates and content management

• Drafting LinkedIn posts and assisting with social media planning

• Creating or editing Instagram reels and short-form content

• Conducting light media or communications research

• Providing general marketing support across campaigns and initiatives

The role is intentionally flexible, and contributions can be shaped around the volunteer’s interests, skills, and availability. There are no set hours or fixed expectations, and the focus is on collaboration, learning, and creative contribution.

An Ideal Candidate Will Be:

• Interested in marketing, communications, or digital storytelling

• Comfortable working with social media platforms and basic digital tools

• Creative, curious, and keen to experiment with content formats

• Interested in sustainability, food systems, or social impact

• Happy working in a flexible, early-stage environment

This is a voluntary role with no fixed time commitment, offering the chance to support a growing social enterprise, collaborate with a small and mission-driven team, and contribute creatively to work with real-world impact. As Circular Kitchens grows, there may be opportunities for the role to evolve into paid work.

To apply, please share your CV along with a short note outlining your interest, any relevant experience, and your desired time commitment.

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:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• 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 new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

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

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.

Join Niños de Guatemala (NDG) and be part of the change that breaks the cycle of poverty through quality education.

We are looking for passionate volunteers to directly support our schools in Ciudad Vieja and San Lorenzo El Cubo. Your work goes beyond the classroom:

• Assist teachers with the Dual Immersion Program and other key subjects.

• Lead workshops in sports, arts, or specialized skills.

• Provide personalized academic support to students from vulnerable communities.

Experience a unique cultural immersion near Antigua Guatemala and witness firsthand the positive impact that small gestures create. If you are seeking a deep-purpose volunteer experience and are eager to inspire the leaders of tomorrow, your place is with NDG!

Overview:
Drive the charity’s income growth by leading fundraising, partnerships, and donor engagement to secure sustainable funding for programmes and community work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive fundraising strategy

• Identify and apply for grants, trusts, and foundations

• Build relationships with corporate and community partners

• Oversee donor stewardship and reporting

• Lead fundraising events and campaigns

• Support digital fundraising and storytelling

Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience in fundraising or business development (preferably nonprofit sector)

• Track record of successful grant applications

• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills

• Creative, strategic thinker able to work independently

* We agree to pay a percentage for each succesful Bid or Grant. To be discussed futher during the interview.

Are you someone who loves getting creative, catching a show, or simply enjoying a good chat over coffee and cake?

We’re looking for a friendly volunteer to spend time with a lovely lady with a learning disability who enjoys:

Arts & crafts Trips to the theatre Cooking and baking Scrapbooking And catching up over a cuppa and a slice of cake!

She’s looking for someone to share her interests, try new things together, and enjoy relaxed, sociable outings in the local community.

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

This is an Out and about visit role which means your visits are likely to be longer, very active and the person you visit will often take an active part in planning your outings and activities in the community. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tends to be around a couple of hours, sometimes shorter or longer, depending on what you plan to do.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

• Sitting and having a chat
• Checking in on their well- being
• Going out to a local café/pub for a meal/drink
• Take part on community activities like visiting a place of interest, go shopping etc.
• Enjoying a walk
• A craft activity at home

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

• Friendly and approachable
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
• Reliable and patient
• Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

• Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
• Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
• Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
• Meet new people
• Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

 Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

Domestic abuse is always unacceptable. We support everyone affected by it and we act to prevent it. As Treasurer at Behind Closed Doors, you will work alongside our Trustee Board, CEO and Admin & Finance Manager to oversee the financial strategy of our organisation, ensuring sound financial governance and legal compliance. This is a pivotal role for our charity, helping to shape our future and support our vision: to build lives free from domestic abuse.

We’re looking for an experienced finance professional keen to undertake this rewarding voluntary role that ensures the financial health and accountability of Behind Closed Doors. You will be joining an established trustee board made up of dedicated, knowledgeable and supportive individuals. Please note that we are also currently recruiting to general trustee roles, find out more on our website.

Taking on a Trustee role is an excellent way to broaden your leadership experience and strengthen skills that you can then put to use in your core role, to the benefit of your career progression opportunities and the organisation that you work for.

As a Trustee, you will develop skills in:

• Strategic planning
• Governance
• Budgeting and financial analysis
• Risk management
• Chairing meetings

As you learn about a new organisation and potentially a new sector, you will also gain confidence in:

• Acting as a 'Critical Friend'; asking questions and providing support
• Experiencing the difference between a strategic role, and a hands-on operational role
• Absorbing and processing new information, and learning where you contribute value
• Finding your feet with a brand new team of people

Please download the recruitment pack for full details, including how to apply and who to contact for an informal discussion about the role and organisation.

As a board, we strive to be as diverse and representative as the communities we serve and would welcome those from underrepresented or marginalised groups. We also recognise hugely the value that lived experience brings to our board, so would welcome further representation in this area, but only when it is safe for you to engage with us in this way.

Behind Closed Doors is committed to improving inclusive recruitment practices. If you would prefer to apply for this position or express your interest in an alternative format (such as audio or video upload) or require any adaptions at this initial stage, please get in touch.

Behind Closed Doors is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. A standard DBS disclosure will be required before taking up this position

If arts and crafts make you happy, imagine sharing that joy with someone who loves it just as much. As a volunteer visitor, you could spend time painting, drawing, crafting, or exploring creative spaces together building a real friendship while doing what you both enjoy. It’s about more than making art; it’s about connection, confidence, and creating moments that truly matter.

We offer a lifelong befriending service for adults with learning disabilities. Matching the skills and interests of passionate visitors with the specific hobbies and interests of the people we visit. Visitors visit six times a year to create a 1-2-1 connection, offer companionship, encourage people to do the things they enjoy and check-in on their wellbeing. In many cases, the visitor is the only person in someone’s life who isn’t paid to be there for them.

Watch a video about this volunteer role here

This is an Out and about visit role which means your visits are likely to be longer, very active and the person you visit will often take an active part in planning your outings and activities in the community. Your volunteer manager will be happy to help you with ideas and suggestions for things you can do. Visits will vary in length but tends to be around a couple of hours, sometimes shorter or longer, depending on what you plan to do.

In this role you will spend quality time with the person you visit and could do a range of different activities like:

• Sitting and having a chat
• Checking in on their well- being
• Going out to a local café/pub for a meal/drink
• Take part on community activities like visiting a place of interest, go shopping etc.
• Enjoying a walk
• A craft activity at home

As a Mencap volunteer visitor you will be:

• Friendly and approachable
• Accepting of others who might be different to yourself
• Reliable and patient
• Passionate about supporting people with a with a learning disability.

As a Mencap visitor you will:

• Have the opportunity to help make a difference to the life of the person you visit
• Receive a personalised volunteer induction and training
• Have agreed out of pocket expenses reimbursed
• Meet new people
• Get on-going support, and feel appreciated and valued

About Mencap Mencap is the leading learning disability charity in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. We work with people with a learning disability and their families to challenge prejudice and change laws, and we directly support thousands of people to live their lives as they choose. We have an ambitious vision for the UK to be the best place in the world for people with a learning disability to live happy and healthy lives.

Volunteering with us is YOUR opportunity to help us achieve this, whilst having the chance to develop your skills, meet new people and join a passionate and dedicated team.

If you have questions about volunteering with Mencap, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us:

Why we want you

As branch secretary you help coordinate a range of activities and a calendar ofevents to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

• Communication with branch volunteers
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office
• Co-ordinating a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc..

The skills you need

• Friendly and approachable
• Strong administration skills
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others
• Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment.

Why we want you

As branch chair you and your branch members will create a range of activities to help spread the word about SSAFA within your community. To ensure that our Armed Forces community know that SSAFA are here to help and that we need the public’s support to continue offering our services.

What you will be doing

• Overseeing an appropriate programme of awareness raising activities so that potential beneficiaries, volunteers and supporters are aware of SSAFA as first in mind for support.
• Building relationships with the regional and national SSAFA team, local voluntary organisations and, if applicable, SSAFA serving community teams, local military establishments, etc.
• Attending events as a key SSAFA representative.
• Providing timely reports and information to SSAFA’s central office
• Overseeing a programme of meetings including an AGM, branch meetings, committee meetings, training etc.
• Working with other volunteers, regional and national team members to attract and recruit new volunteers as required.
• Work closely with the community engagement co-ordinator to recruit, welcome, induct, support, and manage volunteers in line with SSAFA policies, such as the Volunteering Policy, Volunteer Code of Conduct, Data Protection Policy, and Safeguarding Policy.

The skills you need

• Motivating leadership with an ability lead a team of volunteers.
• Friendly and approachable
• Great written and verbal communication skills
• Basic IT skills

What's in it for you

• Gain experience of holding a key local role with oversight of all SSAFA activity in the local area.
• Support and friendship from your local SSAFA branch and the wider SSAFA community.
• Use your skills, knowledge, and life experience to benefit others.
• Support in your role from the team at SSAFA
• Develop your experience and skills which you can highlight on your CV and in job interviews.

Disclaimer

SSAFA is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all those involved in our work and expects volunteers to share this commitment

Pets As Therapy is a national charity with a simple but powerful mission: to share the joy of pets with people who need it most. Each week, more than 6,000 volunteers and their pets visit schools, hospitals, hospices, care homes and community settings across the UK.

What will you be doing?

Responsibilities of the Chair:

• Provide strategic leadership to the charity and the Board, ensuring that PAT achieves its mission.
• Work in partnership with the CEO and Executive team to achieve its mission.
• Lead the Board in ensuring that it fulfils its responsibilities for the governance of the organisation.
• Optimise the relationship between the Board and PAT’s staff and volunteers.
• Plan and chair the Board meetings and the AGM, with others as appropriate.
• Act as an ambassador and spokesperson for PAT.

The Chair provides oversight and guidance while also carrying out the general responsibilities of a Trustee.

Time Commitment:

• Estimated at one to two days per month.
• The Board meets formally at least four times a year for between a half day and a day, depending on business. Two meetings are in-person and are held in central London. Two are virtual.
• All trustees are asked to serve on one or more Board sub-committees and working groups. This adds 3-4 shorter meetings a year, for which preparation can be significant or relatively light. Trustees may be asked to chair sub committees on a rotating basis.
• Ad hoc and occasional support through working groups and / or support to the Executive team.
• Monthly scheduled conversation with the CEO with flexibility to respond to the occasional ad hoc issue.

What are we looking for?

Personal skills / experience / values

• Willingness and ability to understand and accept responsibilities and liabilities as trustees and to act in the best interests of the organisation.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically, exercise good, independent judgement and work effectively as a Board member.
• Effective communication skills and willingness to participate actively in discussion.
• A strong personal commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Commitment to Nolan’s seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership.

Essential skills / experience / values

• A strategic thinker.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to inspire and engage trustees, staff, funders, partners and volunteers.
• A clear understanding of the charity landscape and the challenges faced by a charity of PAT’s size.
• Trustee experience with a clear understanding of charity governance.
• Willingness to act as an ambassador.
• An animal lover with a firm commitment to PAT’s mission and values.

Desirable skills / experience

• Familiarity with membership and/or volunteer-based organisations.
• Sector expertise - animal welfare, health or education.
• Experience of encouraging more inclusive processes to extend our charity’s impact across a more diverse range of communities.

What difference will you make?

As Chair of Trustees at PAT, you will provide leadership that enables the charity to grow, innovate, and reach more people with the joy of animal companionship. Your guidance will directly influence:

• Wellbeing of vulnerable people: PAT visits lift spirits in care homes, hospitals, hospices, and day centres.
• Children’s literacy and confidence: Read2Dogs helps over 2,000 schools support reluctant or anxious readers.
• Growth and sustainability: Guide a charity with 6,000+ volunteers, ensuring it thrives and meets demand.
• Expansion of PAT’s reach: Bring the joy and comfort of pets to more people, including underserved communities.

How to Apply

The Reach Volunteering TrusteeWorks Team are supporting Pets As Therapy with this recruitment and all applications and enquiries should be sent to TrusteeWorks via the Reach Volunteering Platform. Please see application instructions on the redirect link.

BRIGHTON HALF MARATHON

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We are delighted to be Charity Partner for the Brighton Half Marathon this year, and are looking forward to supporting the event and all of the wonderful participants, some of whom will be running on our behalf.

​

In order to support this event, we are looking for a small team of volunteers to help with a number of roles which will include 

• Cheering on the runners, to create a supportive and engaging atmosphere
• Marshalls
• Water Station Marshalls
• Finish Line Marshalls

​

​The event takes place on the 1st March 2026, so if you would like to get involved as a volunteer, are perhaps local to the area or able to travel for the day, then we would be delighted to hear from you.

​​​For further details please take a look at our Volunteer Role Description Volunteer Brighton Half Marathon Description 2026 ​

The first stage is to register your details on our tracking system and a member of our Community Fundraising Team will be in touch to discuss your interest.

​

A volunteer is someone who provides unpaid support to Brain Tumour Research

Do you have a passion for helping people discover the unlimited possibilities that technology can bring? Would you like to open up a world of opportunities for blind and partially sighted people in your local community by training them to use technology? Join our local technology team helping people with sight loss get the most out of technology.

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:

• Welcoming and assisting customers, providing great customer service and a fantastic shopping experience
• Receiving donated goods from members of the public
• Sorting, steaming, tagging and preparing donated goods for sale
• Creating eye catching window and in-shop displays
• Keeping the shop floor well stocked, tidy, clean and organised
• 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 new health and safety measures to ensure the safety of everyone

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

• Motivated and hardworking
• Reliable, flexible and willing to do a variety of shop tasks
• A team player
• Friendly and helpful
• Passionate about customer service and enjoy interacting with people
• Respectful of others and their diversity
• Interested in supporting the work of Sense and want to make a difference to people who have complex disabilities and are deafblind.

What can Sense offer me as a volunteer?

• A full induction and ongoing support and guidance from your Shop Manager to make sure you feel confident in your role
• Support to develop new skills, knowledge and experience, in particular of a retail environment, but also skills such as teamwork, customer service, communication and using your initiative
• A reference for other paid or voluntary work (available on request)
• The opportunity to share your existing skills and experience to benefit others
• The chance to meet new people from a wide range of backgrounds and to join a passionate and committed team
• The opportunity to make an invaluable contribution to Sense by raising vital income and raising the profile of Sense in your local community; changing the lives of those who have complex disabilities and are deafblind

About Sense

For everyone living with complex disabilities. For everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to offer personalised support to help people communicate and experience the world. We believe that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. Our experts offer support that’s tailored to the individual needs of each person, whether that’s at our centres, through our holidays and short breaks, or in people’s own homes. In addition to practical support, we also provide information to families, and campaign for the rights of people with complex disabilities to take part in life.

Volunteers add real value to Sense, bringing their passion, enthusiasm and fresh perspectives to the work that we do. We believe that volunteers enable us to bring people together, and provide opportunities for people with complex disabilities to communicate and experience the world.

We include. We collaborate. We find a way. We challenge. We celebrate.