Community support volunteer roles

Fundraising volunteer

Our vision for volunteering

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

The difference you will make to cats and people

As a charity we are able to help thousands of cats each year thanks to the generous donations we receive from members of the public. Our fundraising volunteers use their passion for cats and people to raise the vital funds needed to help more cats and kittens in need. As a fundraising volunteer we want to support you to fundraise in whatever way suits you best, whether that’s organising a fundraising event, fundraising online, promoting fundraising activities on social media, completing administration or supporting the development of new fundraising ideas! Whatever your skill set, this could be the role for you! 

You can expect us to

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

What we need from you

This is a really flexible role, you can choose what you’d like to get involved with, for example: 

• face-to-face fundraising. Organising or helping with fundraising events, running supermarket collections and fundraising stands, monitoring collection tins 

• online fundraising. Setting up online appeals and writing impactful cat case studies that maximise donations

• marketing. Spreading the word about our fundraising activities, for example on social media and with the local press  

• completing administration. Processing donations, sorting and recording donated goods, completing Gift Aid paperwork

● championing our work. Getting involved with developing new fundraising ideas and increasing community engagement

● photography. Capturing images of cats in care, cats we are helping, events and all things Cats Protection

Time expectation

This is a flexible role that can fit around your other commitments to suit you. You’ll be part of a team raising vital funds while having fun in the process!

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

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

Read Easy provides free, confidential, one to-one reading coaching for adults who struggle with reading, through a network of volunteer groups. Read Easy groups are changing the lives of individual adults across the country by providing them with the support they need to learn to read, and in turn opening doors for them to all sorts of new opportunities in life. You can read about the difference Read Easy makes here on our website. 

Outline of the IT Supporter role
It is amazing how much difference you could make to your local group by providing IT support, either remotely or in person. Even the smallest things like setting up email accounts, using video calling software and creating social media accounts can be a real challenge for some volunteers, so your expertise will make the world of difference to supporting your local group to help adults learn to read in your community.

The skills you will need
● Knowledge and previous experience of fundraising is desirable, though not essential.
● A willingness to seek out potential sources of funding.
● Experience of writing funding bids is desirable, though not essential.
● Good negotiating and influencing skills.
● The ability to use initiative and work independently.
● A willingness to abide by Read Easy policies and procedures.
● An open attitude that encourages two-way communication and willingness to ask for and offer support to the Team.
● A non-judgemental attitude and respect for others, with a commitment to equality and diversity, so that you can make everyone feel valued and included.
● Energy and enthusiasm with an average of three hours a month to commit to the role

For more than a century, the RAF Benevolent Fund has stood beside the RAF Family;
through war and peace, hardship and change. From the first day in uniform to the final
years of life, we have been a constant source of emotional, practical and financial support.
Today, our work reaches serving personnel, veterans, families and the bereaved in more
than 30 countries.
We are seeking a Welfare and Safeguarding Trustee for an initial term of four years,
(ideally) commencing 1 October 2026.
You will have a relevant background with safeguarding experience (such as nursing, medical,
social care, teaching or other healthcare professional, ideally at a senior level). You will
understand the needs of those who are vulnerable whether its due to age, health and
wellbeing or socio-economic factors and will have the skills and knowledge to advise and guide
on appropriate strategies to ensure the Fund is best able to meet those needs. It is key that
you are able to provide relevant specialist knowledge, support and information and to clearly
articulate issues relating to safeguarding which will be invaluable to the Fund in ensuring it
complies with all legal and good practice requirements in relation to safeguarding and that it
has clear and up-to-date policies and procedures.
Interested?
If you have the experience we are seeking and are as passionate about the RAF Family as we
are, we would love to hear from you. To apply please send an up-to-date CV and covering
email / letter outlining how your background, skills, experience meets the person
specification (see final page) to Lisa Harmshaw (email address in role information attached) our Head
of Governance. If you have any questions about the role or would like to have an informal
discussion prior to applying, please contact Lisa on phone number given in role information attached or via email.
We welcome applications from anyone who has the experience we are seeking, irrespective of
background, community, industry or protected characteristics. If you require any reasonable
adjustments as part of your application process, please let us know. We operate safer selection
practices; this will involve the successful candidate being required to have a Disclosure and
Barring Service check.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and this position will remain open until we
have found our ideal candidate. No agencies please.

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

Do you enjoy driving? Would you like to make a difference to the people we support in your community? 

We are looking for friendly drivers to join us!

You will meet some amazing people, whilst making a positive impact to their lives by driving to places they enjoy and appointments that are important. 
 

Activities will include: 

• Driving the people we support between their homes and services in a safe manner, in accordance with UK law. 

• Driving your own car or house vehicles

• Driving around the Calne area, which will be the start and end point of the majority of journeys 

• Assisting people we support in and out of vehicles and locations – with assistance from trained Dimensions staff. 

• Driving in a manner that is sensitive of physical and emotional requirements of the people we support. 
   

We are looking for drivers who: 

• Are aged 21 or over, with at least 2 years driving experience 

• Hold a full, clean and current UK Driving License (or equivalent) 

• Have the ability to understand verbal and written instructions in relation to  journeys 

• Are friendly with the people we support and our support staff 

• Are willing to commit to volunteer regularly (every other weekend, times to be agreed) 

A DBS check and two character references will be required for this role. 

What you’ll gain from being a Dimensions volunteer: 

Dimensions provide support for autistic people and people with learning disabilities across the UK. 

Our volunteers play a vital role in our work and in return, we support them with:

• Access to free online training (with access to 800 plus courses) 

• Free membership to an online shopping discount scheme 

• Comprehensive support from professional, friendly and trained Dimensions staff 

• Travel expenses may be reimbursed as agreed

• An opportunity to gain real experience in the social care sector 

Want to apply for this role? 

If you’d like to be a Dimensions volunteer, please get in touch! 

We are currently recruiting for a Social Media Volunteer. The Plateful Café works to relieve poverty and isolation amongst refugees, asylum seekers and other ethnic minorities in south-east London. Our commitment is to ensure we reach the most vulnerable people in our community and help them access the support they are entitled to. 

Videos are a powerful medium to engage with our supporters and also the wider public. You will play a great role to promote our brand and build our presence online.

Orchards is looking for a reliable and organised admin volunteer to support our vision to see more women free from sexual exploitation. This role offers hands-on experience in the VAWG sector and the chance to contribute to the running of supported accommodation services.

Testimonial from our previous Admin Intern:

“I have learned a great deal about the VAWG sector and how Orchards support the women, I have learned how to use Expense plus and In-Form and how the charity operates from an administration perspective. I have received a lot of support from the team, and the Head of Operations in particular. I really enjoy our weekly meetings and have found them very beneficial. Orchards have an amazing culture. They are incredibly kind and considerate and the whole team is so supportive of one another which is so lovely.”

‍Role Overview

250 million children under 5 years old across the Global South miss out on the care, play and stimulation they need during the most important years of their lives. Governments increasingly recognise the importance of early childhood development, but many struggle to find approaches that are affordable, scalable, and sustainable.

Lively Minds believes the solution is hiding in plain sight: parents.

For almost twenty years we have worked alongside governments and communities to develop and test a parent-powered approach that enables families, regardless of their income or level of education, to give children the best possible start in life. We have shown that this approach can be successfully integrated into government systems and delivered at scale. In Ghana alone, our model has been adopted nationally, reaching more than 700,000 children and supporting over 130,000 parents. Independent research found participating children made developmental gains equivalent to an additional year of schooling.

Having demonstrated what is possible, we are now entering an exciting new phase.

Rather than operating as a traditional programme delivery organization, Lively Minds has evolved into a specialist technical assistance partner. We work alongside governments to design, test, and scale parent-powered early childhood development within national education systems, building the capability, evidence, and implementation approaches that enable governments to lead sustainable, long-term change.

Today we support governments in Ghana, Uganda, Ethiopia, and the Gambia, with partnerships in development in Togo and Senegal. Our ambition is to help many more governments transform early childhood development over the coming decade.

This is an opportunity to help shape not only the future of Lively Minds but also how governments across the Global South deliver early childhood development for generations to come.

We are looking for a finance trustee who shares that ambition and can help ensure we have the financial stewardship, strategic judgment, and governance needed to achieve it.

The Opportunity

This is not a traditional finance trustee role

Lively Minds is at an important strategic inflection point. As we expand our technical assistance model across multiple countries, we are asking new questions about organisational sustainability, financial resilience, growth, risk, and investment. We are looking for someone who enjoys helping ambitious organisations navigate those questions.

As finance trustee, you will bring independent judgment, financial expertise, and constructive challenge to the Board. You will help ensure we remain financially strong while enabling the organisation to pursue ambitious goals responsibly.

Working closely with the chair, CEO, COO, and finance director and chairing the finance & audit committee, you will help the board make confident, well-informed decisions about the organisation's future.

You will join a board that believes its role is to help the organisation realise its potential. That means asking difficult questions, opening doors, sharing expertise, encouraging innovation and supporting the executive team to succeed, while respecting the principle that the Board governs and management manages.‍

Key Responsibilities

As Finance Trustee you will help the Board to

Provide financial stewardship

• Act as a trusted sounding board to the FinanceDirector
• Help strengthen financial reporting and governance where appropriate
• Share expertise and experience that builds organisational capability
• Chair the Finance & Audit Committee and oversee the charity's financial health and long-term sustainability
• Review financial performance, budgets and forecasts
• Oversee the annual audit and approval of statutory accounts
• Monitor reserves, financial controls and risk management
• Ensure resources are used effectively and deliver value for money

‍

Strengthen strategic decision-making

• Bring financial insight to discussions on strategy, growth and organisational development
• Help assess the financialimplications of major strategic decisions and investments
• Support the Board in balancing ambition with affordability and risk
• Contribute to discussions on the long-term financial model needed to support international growth

‍

Support organisational capability

• Act as a trusted sounding board to the FinanceDirector
• Help strengthen financial reporting and governance where appropriate
• Share expertise and experience that builds organisational capability

Contribute as a Trustee

Like all trustees, you will contribute to the overall leadership and governance of Lively Minds, participating fully in board discussions on strategy, organisational performance, risk, people, and governance. We also expect trustees to champion the organisation actively, using their networks, credibility, and relationships to open doors, support fundraising, strengthen partnerships, and increase Lively Minds' visibility in the spaces where it matters most. The Board governs rigorously and champions energetically; we are looking for trustees who are ready to do both.

‍

Candidate Profile

Who we are looking for

We are looking for someone who combines strong financial expertise with strategic curiosity and a commitment to our mission.

You will probably have:

• A recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent)
• Senior financial leadership experience
• Excellent financial and commercial judgement
• Experience of financial planning, audit, controls and risk management
• The confidence to provide constructive challenge while building positive relationships
• An understanding of good governance and the respective roles of trustees and management
• The ability to think strategically beyond finance alone

Desirable Experience

Experience in one or more of the following would be particularly valuable:

• Charities or social purpose organisations
• International development
• Technical assistance or advisory organisations
• Scale-ups
• Institutional funding or grant finance
• Working with governments or public sector organisations

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who is excited by our mission and motivated by the opportunity to help build an organisation capable of transforming early childhood development at scale.

Time commitment

The expected commitment is approximately one to two days per month.

This includes:

• Four Board meetings each year
• Four Finance & Audit Committee meetings each year
• Preparation for meetings
• Participation in the annual budget and audit cycle
• Occasional advice and support between meetings

Meetings are primarily held remotely, with occasional in-person meetings.

The role is voluntary and unpaid, although reasonable expenses will be reimbursed.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

We believe stronger boards are built through diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds.

We particularly welcome applications from people with lived or professional experience in the countries and regions where we work, and from groups currently underrepresented on charity boards.

We are committed to making our recruitment process accessible and will make reasonable adjustments wherever needed

Application Instruction

Why become a trustee at Lively Mind

‍ If  are motivated by using your financial expertise to help governments transform the lives of millions of children, we would love to hear from you.

 Please send:

• Your CV (or short professional biography)
• A covering letter explaining why you are interested in joining the Board of Lively Minds and what you would bring to the role.

Timeline:

Closing Date: 15 August 2026

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Confident and Capable volunteers are required to help us with our charity admin.

Are you retired or looking to get back into work and are confident on the phone and using IT? 

If so you may be the person we are looking for !

We need people to help us:

• Answer calls and prpvode advice and information
• Support the running of our reception desk 
• Help with data inputting and maintenance 
• Assist with general office admin tasks 

If you are passionate abourt supporing vulnerable people in the community and have a few spare hours each week then please get in touch !

We offer:

• Full induction
• Flexible hours
• Onsite parking
• Access to free training and develeopment 
• References after three months 
• Expenses covered
• Volunteer social events 
• Volunteer Community awards 

Chair of Trustees at Watford and Three Rivers Refugee Partnership (WTRRP)

Job summary: 

We're looking for a Chair of Trustees to help shape the strategic vision of WTRRP as we move forward into our 25th year as a charity. This would be someone to support us with our strategy in line with our mission and our values. In this role, you will lead the Committee and other Trustees co-chairs of the charity, share responsibility for the agenda and actions of Trustee meetings and AGM, improving good governance and acting as a senior ambassador of the organisation. We are looking for someone with enthusiasm, availability and leadership skills to work collaboratively with our small staff and our volunteers.

WTRRP exists to support asylum seekers and refugees in Watford and Three Rivers who do not yet have settled status in the UK or may have specific needs relating to their application process or welfare. The main services of the charity are a drop-in session and social hub every Tuesday (at St Mary’s Church in central Watford), ESOL classes, providing advice and financial support to its clients and assisting them to integrate into the local community.

The Partnership has grown dramatically over the past 5 years, which is why we are looking for a Chair to join us. WTRRP is run by a committee that meets typically every 1-2 months and it also provides supervision to our 3 staff members and support to our 70 volunteers.

We would welcome applicants with any of the following experience:

• Governance and previous Committee experience
• Business development and charitable fundraising
• Human resources and people management
• Lived experience of being a Refugee or Migrant
• Financial background

Principal responsibilities:

1. Be part of the Committee, supporting the organisation as it grows and develops.
2. Have availability to regularly attend the Tuesday hub/drop-in at St. Marys church from 11- 2pm to support the team.
3. Oversee the administration and coordination of sub-committees.
4. Serve as line manager to our Operations Manager, helping to conduct planned supervision and appraisals.
5. Represent the Partnership as required to the public or external parties such as funders and Community groups.

This is an important role that will support the charity as we adapt and change. If you feel that you may have some of the skills we are looking for and want to have an initial chat with our chair, then please contact us.

MapAction is a leading humanitarian charity that provides geospatial, mapping and data expertise to support disaster response and preparedness worldwide. For more than 20 years, MapAction has worked alongside governments, UN agencies, humanitarian organisations and local partners, supporting over 150 humanitarian emergencies in more than 80 countries. By providing critical insights through maps, data visualisation and analysis, MapAction helps decision-makers understand rapidly evolving situations, target assistance more effectively and ultimately save lives. 

MapAction combines the commitment and expertise of small professional staff team with circa 70 highly skilled volunteer geospatial, mapping and data specialists. Together, they help partners prepare for, respond to, and recover from humanitarian crises, while also developing innovative approaches to strengthen disaster resilience and anticipatory action. 

MapAction is now seeking to appoint a new Chair of the Board of Trustees to succeed Nick Moody, who will step down later this year following two successful terms as Chair. This is an exciting opportunity to provide leadership to a unique charity that sits at the intersection of humanitarian action, technology and innovation, and to help shape its future direction and impact. 

The Chair will play a pivotal leadership role, working closely with the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees to ensure the effective delivery of MapAction’s mission, strategic objectives and long-term sustainability. The Chair will foster strong and constructive relationships across the Board, executive team, staff and volunteers, ensuring that the organisation benefits from both effective support and constructive challenge. Working in partnership with the Chief Executive, the Chair will also act as a key ambassador for MapAction, building and maintaining relationships with funders, partners and stakeholders, and helping to enhance the charity’s profile, influence and impact within the humanitarian sector. 

The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior leader with experience of leading senior executive teams and/or non-executive boards. They will possess a strong understanding of governance, organisational risk and financial oversight, together with the credibility and gravitas to influence at the highest levels. Candidates should demonstrate an ability to support fundraising and stakeholder engagement activities, and a genuine commitment to the delivery of humanitarian benefit. Prior experience of the humanitarian, international development, technology, data or voluntary sectors is a distinct advantage.

The Chair will be appointed for an initial term of three years, with the option of renewal for a further term. The role is voluntary and unremunerated. 

MapAction is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Final interviews are anticipated to take place in mid- to late-September 2026..

VOLUNTEER: IT & Digital Lead

Help Build the Digital Heart of SUNSHINE Charity

SUNSHINE Charity is a vibrant, 100% volunteer‑powered start-up movement dedicated to bringing SUNSHINE into people’s lives. We help smash loneliness and social isolation by creating welcoming opportunities to connect, participate, learn, volunteer, make friends and feel like you belong.

• We’re joyful.
• We’re human.
• We’re community-powered.
• And now, we’re looking for a skilled, organised, tech‑savvy IT & Digital Lead to help build the digital foundations that will power SUNSHINE as we grow.

If you love tech, systems, security and helping people feel confident using digital tools — this role is perfect.

Why We Need You

SUNSHINE is launching programmes, recruiting volunteers and building a community-powered movement across London. To do this smoothly, safely and professionally, we need someone who can:

• Set up our digital systems.

• Configure our devices.

• Keep our data secure.

• Support volunteers with IT queries.

• Help everyone understand how to use our tools confidently.

You’ll be the person who ensures SUNSHINE runs smoothly behind the scenes — the digital architect who keeps everything connected.

What You’ll Do

As IT & Digital Lead, you will:

• Set up and configure Office 365, including emails, SharePoint and user accounts.

• Implement and maintain our cloud-based CRM and Caseload Management Systems.

• Configure laptops, tablets and phones for SUNSHINE Charity use only.

• Ensure all devices and data are secure, protected and compliant.

• Create simple digital processes that make volunteering easier.

• Provide IT/Digital support to volunteers when needed.

• Lead or support induction sessions to help volunteers understand:

  • How our digital systems work

  • How to use them confidently

  • Why they matter for safety, connection and good practice

• Work closely with the Safeguarding & Compliance Lead to ensure digital safety and GDPR alignment

You’ll be joining a charity where kindness is a superpower, community is everything, and every volunteer helps bring SUNSHINE into people’s lives.

Who We’re Looking For

You’ll thrive in this role if you are:

• Confident with digital tools, cloud platforms and IT setup.

• Comfortable configuring devices and managing user accounts.

• Knowledgeable about digital security and data protection.

• Patient, supportive and able to explain tech simply.

• Organised, proactive and detail‑focused.

• Excited to help build a charity’s digital foundations.

• Inspired by SUNSHINE’s mission of positivity, human connection, community and belonging.

Experience is welcome — but heart, clarity and reliability matter most.

Time Commitment & Availability

This is a flexible operational volunteer role, not a trustee position.

• Around 4 hours per month.

• Additional hours only for urgent IT issues or onboarding needs.

• Must be available at least 2 evenings per month.

• Must be available one weekend daytime per quarter (for inductions, device setup, volunteer training or digital support).

We’ll work around your life and schedule — we simply need someone reliable who can help keep SUNSHINE digitally strong and secure.

What You’ll Gain

• The chance to build the digital backbone of a brand‑new charity.

• A joyful, supportive team culture.

• Real impact on people experiencing loneliness.

• New skills, confidence and experience.

• The satisfaction of helping volunteers feel confident and connected.

• The joy of bringing SUNSHINE into people’s lives.

Ready to Help Build SUNSHINE’s Digital World?

If you’re passionate about IT, digital systems and helping people feel confident using technology — we’d love to hear from you.

Join the SUNSHINE movement.

Help us bring connection, community and belonging to London.

COME SHINE WITH US.

Join us at Sefton Park on Saturday 24th October for our Spooky Welly Walk!! 

Help bring this fun filled family event to life by supporting participants, cheering on little monsters, superheroes and ghosts, and creating a fantastic day for everyone. Whether you can volunteer for the whole day or just a few hours, we'd love to have you on the team. Last year over 5000 people came together for a day of Halloween fun, and this year we're aiming to make it even bigger and better.We're looking for enthusiatic volunteers to help us create a safe, exciting and memorable experience for thousands of families and supporters. 

It's a fantastic opportunity to meet new people, gain valuable event experience, build your CV and make a real difference while supporting people affected by lung cancer. 

Whether you're welcoming participants, helping our spooky activity stalls, stewarding around the park, or simply bringing plenty of enthusiasm and smiles, you'll play a vital role in making the day unforgettable. 

What could you be doing

There are lots of fun roles available, including:

Helping children get creative in our Creepy Crafts area

Supporting our Monster Market stalls

Welcoming families and helping at our Mobile Farm

Bringing stories to life at our Spooky Storytelling area

Encouraging little monsters in the Zombie Fitness Zone

Helping at our Terrifying Tattoos stall

Assisting in the Bugfest Beauty Parlour 

Handing out snacks and treats to our visitors or supporting participants and stewarding around the event. No previous experience is needed-just enthusiasm and a friendly smile. 

The event opens to the public at 10.45am. Volunteers are kindly asked to arrive at 9.00am to help with set up, meet the team and take part in a full briefing. 

Join us and help create an unforgettable day for thousands of families- we can't wait to welcome you to our spooktacular volunteer team! 

Why we want you

As branch secretary you help coordinate a range of activities and a calendar of events 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.