Community support volunteer roles

Join SUNSHINE as Our First Volunteer Coordinator / Volunteer Manager (Volunteer Role)

Help us spark joy, connection, and community across London — Be a SUNSHINE Volunteer and bring your Heart of Gold.

Loneliness is one of the quietest challenges of our time, but at SUNSHINE, we believe in the power of people coming together to change that story, to break through the clouds with beautiful rays of warmth, belonging, and hope.

SUNSHINE is a brand new loneliness and wellbeing charity with a simple but powerful mission: to bring people together, spread joy, nurture community spirit, and create spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected.

With our charity application submitted, our dedicated Board of Trustees in place, and a series of exciting pilot programmes ready to launch, we are stepping into a defining moment and we’re looking for someone extraordinary to step in with us.

Could you be our first ever Volunteer Coordinator / Volunteer Manager?

This is a rare and meaningful opportunity to help shape a charity from the ground up by building the very heart of our movement: our volunteers.

We’re searching for a volunteer who brings:

• A natural gift for bringing people together

• Warmth, empathy, and a people-first mindset

• Organisational flair and a love of nurturing others

• Dedication to community, wellbeing, and social impact

• A collaborative spirit and a willingness to roll up their sleeves

As our inaugural Volunteer Coordinator / Manager, you will work closely with our Founder and CEO to recruit, support, and empower the volunteers who will bring SUNSHINE to life, ensuring every person who joins us feels welcomed, valued, and inspired.

What you’ll help us build

• A joyful, diverse, and committed volunteer community.

• Supportive systems that help volunteers thrive.

• Training, onboarding, and communication pathways that feel warm and human.

• Volunteer teams for our pilot programmes — from wellbeing workshops to community meet-ups.

• A culture rooted in compassion, connection, and hope.

• A movement that reaches across London and beyond.

This is more than a role, it’s a chance to help write the opening chapter of a charity designed to lift people up, brighten lives, and transform communities.

Why SUNSHINE?

Because we believe in:

• Joy as a form of care

• Community as a source of strength

• Connection as a human right

• People as the heart of everything we do

If you’re someone who leads with purpose, dreams boldly, and wants to make a real difference, we would love to meet you.

Ready to help us bring more SUNSHINE into the world?

Let’s build something beautiful together — one smile, one moment, one community at a time.

SUNSHINE

The Loneliness and Wellbeing Charity

Book Aid International is the UK’s leading international book donation and library support charity. Every year we work with our partners to provide over one million brand-new books worldwide.

We are looking for volunteers to support our small, friendly warehouse team in Swindon.

If you’d like to make a hands-on contribution to sharing the power of books worldwide, and you have a few hours a week you can offer on a regular basis, we’d love to hear from you.

The role includes assisting in preparing book shipments by selecting titles accurately from a provided pick list and using handheld scanners.

You will contribute to the overall safety of the working environment by following health and safety practices, and contribute to a positive team environment.

You must be able to stand for extended periods and perform light lifting duties, including handling and placing individual books.

You must be over 18.

Please visit our website for more information including how to apply. 

We are looking for a dedicated Grant Writer to help us secure the resources that keep children in school, nourished, healthy, and prepared for the future.

In this role, you will support the development of grant proposals, funding applications, and concept notes that communicate the real challenges children face and the impact of our work across education, nutrition, health, and climate literacy. Your writing will directly influence our ability to reach more children and sustain life changing programs.

This role is ideal for someone who believes strong storytelling and clear data can open doors. You will work closely with our leadership team to translate community realities into compelling proposals that funders can understand and support.

By volunteering as a Grant Writer with Lead Me Back Foundation, you are not just writing applications. You are helping unlock opportunities for children who depend on consistent support to learn, grow, and thrive.

Minimum Hours per Week:

2-3 hours per week

Duration:

1-2 months

Trustee vacancies. Our trustees play a vital role in making sure that the charity achieves its core objects as set out in the governing documents.  They oversee the overall management, finances and administration of Dove Cottage and ensure that the charity is successfully implementing a clear strategy in line with our vision. Trustees are also there to support and constructively challenge the senior staff team (the Dove Cottage Manager and Income Generation and Marketing Manager).

The trustees of Dove Cottage have a responsibility to:

· Support and provide advice on Dove Cottage’s purpose, vision, goals and activities.

· Approve operational strategies and policies, and monitor and evaluate their implementation.

· Oversee Dove Cottage’s financial plans and budgets and monitor and evaluate progress.

· Provide leadership to the board and to ensure that trustees fulfil their duties and responsibilities for the proper governance of the charity.

· Support and, where appropriate, provide constructive challenge to the executive manager.

· Ensure that the board as a whole works well and in partnership with key staff.

· Ensure the effective administration of the charity.

· Ensure that key risks are being identified, monitored and controlled.

· Review and approve Dove Cottage’s financial statements.

· Provide support and challenge to senior staff, specifically the Dove Cottage Manager and the Income Generation and Marketing Manager in the exercise of their delegated authority and responsibilities.

· Keep abreast of changes in Dove Cottage’s operating environment.

· Contribute to regular reviews of Dove Cottage’s governance arrangements.

· Attend board meetings, well prepared to contribute to discussions.

· Exercise independent judgement, acting legally and in good faith to protect Dove Cottage’s interest, to the exclusion of your own/third-party interests.

· Ensure appropriate accountability to LOROS as sole member.

· Contribute to the promotion of Dove Cottage’s objects, aims and reputation through the application of your skills, expertise, knowledge and contacts.

Working hours/commitment

All trustees are required to:

· Attend at least four board meetings each year, although trustees may together decide to change the frequency of meetings.

· Attend the charity’s Annual General Meeting and any extraordinary general meetings should these be required.

Meetings will usually be held in person at the hospice in Stathern. There will be times when trustees need to be actively involved beyond board meetings.  This may involve visiting the hospice, tea room and shops, helping out at events, scrutinising papers, leading discussions, providing advice and guidance on new initiatives, responding to complaints and concerns, and getting involved in various matters about which they have a special expertise. 

The Fixing Factory is a community repair hub where we teach repair skills, repair and refurbish electrical waste, and help people keep their electrical items in use for longer.

Our work is made possible with the support of a team of volunteers who help people to get their electronic items fixed, learn repair skills and provide valuable support to environmental charities Possible (The 10:10 Foundation) and The Restart Project.

We’re looking for Experienced Fixers to join our volunteer team and help diagnose and repair electrical items at the Haringey Fixing Factory. Your skills will help keep valuable items in use for longer — supporting our mission to reduce waste and support our community.

What you’ll be doing:

• Diagnosing and repairing electrical items such as lamps, kettles, toasters and laptops
• Testing and signing off items ready for sale or donation
• Supporting less experienced fixers with more complex repairs
• Talking one-on-one with members of the public about how items can be repaired
• Helping keep the workshop safe, tidy and welcoming

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has strong electrical repair skills and experience fixing a range of items
• Can work independently and confidently troubleshoot faults
• Is organised, reliable and safety-conscious
• Enjoys sharing knowledge and supporting others
• Cares about sustainability, reducing waste and community impact

What you’ll gain:

• Hands-on experience repairing a wide variety of electrical items
• Opportunities to share and develop your skills
• Safety and role-specific training
• The chance to work with a friendly, like-minded team
• References for volunteers who have been attending for over three months

Our vision for volunteering

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

The difference you will make to cats and people

Without the passionate and committed teams of volunteers across Cats Protection we wouldn’t be able to help the thousands of cats and kittens each year that rely on us for help. The purpose of this role is to support the organisation with communications and administration at a local level. You’ll play an active part in the branch committee and support the branch with record keeping and planning, thus enabling more cats to be helped.

You expect us to

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

What we need from you

You’ll be:

• Disseminating relevant organisation-wide information and updates to the branch volunteers
• Supporting engagement and communication between the branch and wider organisation
• Drafting committee meeting agendas and taking and sharing meeting minutes
• Supporting the efficient running of the branch by ensuring administration processes are carried out effectively
• Supporting the administration and update of the branch annual plan 
• Sign-posting queries from members of the public
• Keeping branch records and information up to date and secure, using Cats Protection systems – training will be provided

Time expectation

Our support volunteers usually spend 2-5 hours per week in this role, which is flexible and can be shared by more than one volunteer if needed.

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

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

RSPCA Middlesbrough, Teesside & District Branch

We are looking for a Branch Trustee to help us manage the Middlesbrough, Teesside and District Branch. As a Trustee you will be a full and equal member of our leadership team, making strategies, decisions deciding what we focus on, how we raise and spend money, organising events, working as a team to improve animal welfare in our community.

WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING?

Trustees manage the charity. Like any organisation we get involved in people, finance and legal topics, making strategies and assessing which projects to support, tracking progress on animal welfare programs, working with local vets to offer more support out of hours, or making sure our volunteers are well managed and motivated. More importantly, we focus on raising funds, managing volunteers and spending money where it is needed to support animals in our community - YOUR community. So, whatever your background or skills there is a role you can play.

You will hold the organisation accountable, ensure compliance and be an ambassador, promoting the good work we do and encouraging our teams to continue their efforts to support animal welfare.

You may be an experienced Trustee or new to the role (we can help with training). You will have leadership experience gained in any sector and a passion for animal welfare. You will bring the ability to lead people, motivate teams and manage change. You will be able to understand complex topics, ask logical questions and be willing to hold an organisation accountable for fulfilling its responsibilities. You will be willing to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into the details, make decisions and speak up.

You will be a full part of the team leading this charity. Your voice will be heard and you will help guide the charity and decide its direction. You’ll have the opportunity to be part of a dynamic team, build something new and really make your mark. Together we can make a huge impact on animal welfare in our community.

Benefits to becoming a RSPCA Branch Trustee

• Using your existing skills to do something useful and learning new ones.
• Delivering a real leadership experience.
• Creating real opportunities to improve animal welfare in our community.
• You’ll have access to the RSPCA Learning Hub and a wide range of training materials
• You’ll be a leader, not a follower - you’ll shape our future direction and make your mark.

Please note that Trustees must be at least 18 years of age. This is a volunteer role (reasonable expenses will be reimbursed).

How to find out more about being a Trustee

For more information on becoming a Charity Trustee and to ensure it is the right decision for you, we recommend reading the Charity Commission's guidance on the role of the trustee and the RSPCA website about Branch Trustees.

We have an online session about Becoming a Branch Trustee, which should hopefully give you more of an idea of what the RSPCA Branch Trustee role will involve.

How to Apply:

If you’ve got the drive and compassion to volunteer with the RSPCA and are passionate about improving animal welfare, we’d love to hear from you!

Please visit our website to learn more about what we do.

We hope you are interested in volunteering for the Middlesbrough, Teesside & District Branch!

Our voluntary roles are subject to an informal interview and trial period. We will ask you to provide contact details for two referees, and dependent on the position, you may need to sign an agreement and undergo specific training before starting the role.

WMS is looking for a treasurer trustee and director

WMS is a small, award-winning charity with a bold vision! Our mission is to help people navigate through conflict towards peace. We’ve been running for over 20 years on a social enterprise model. Commercial mediators gift their time and expertise in commercial and workplace mediations, and their fees help to fund our office costs. Community mediations and conflict coaching are also delivered by volunteers.  We provide skills training in our local community, in schools across London and organisations nationwide.  We have a committed Trustee board and a part-time CEO who co-ordinates a team of skilled, experienced freelancers doing case-work, communications, projects and training.

In 2025, we directly supported just under 1,000 people. We processed 286 conflict resolution cases, achieving a 93% resolution rate, and trained over 400 adults and young people in conflict resolution skills.

Over the next three years we want to grow sustainably while maintaining our impact. We are looking for a volunteer with budgeting and forecasting expertise to join the trustee Board because our Treasurer is resigning shortly due to other commitments. 

We need a “hands on” trustee who can act as a key strategic advisor to the CEO and the Board, guiding growth, funding, and major financial decisions.  Currently there are: 

• 4 in person 2 hour evening board meetings per annum, in Clapham Junction

• 4 Zoom meetings per annum for 90 minutes over lunch time

• Annual strategy morning, usually on a Saturday in November

As we don’t have a CFO, the Treasurer also has a short monthly meeting in person or on Zoom with the CEO to discuss financial targets, budgets and forecasts. They support the CEO with the submission of statutory annual accounts and are available for ad hoc advice on financial queries which may arise.

We’d like to hear from people who are motivated by our mission to build peace in a polarized world. We need expertise and experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and accounting and a willingness to support and challenge the CEO and the Board.

Whilst a knowledge of Charity SORPS would be an advantage, we are open to applications from people who are willing to learn! 

Please send a CV and covering letter outlining your experience and why you’d like to join us before 28 February 2026.  We aim to interview after 9 March and for the Treasurer to join us in time for the new financial year on 1 April 2026.

A charity  based in  Croydon, Surrey, London, UK is looking for volunteer Charity Team Assistants; to volunteer 30 unpaid hours per week. The Charity serves a multi ethnic community especially people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds. 

Responsibilities:

• To assist GNDFuk's permanent instructors in finding and providing creative forms of engagement for both our youth and adult programmes.
• To assist in project and schedule planning including setting and clearing up 30 minutes before and after projects and events
• To assist in ensuring that activities are executed safely
• To assist in coordinating events and activities to encourage the objectives of GNDFuk

Person Specification:

• Someone enthusiastic and creative who is committed to working towards the achievements of the charities objectives.
• Knowledege of Black and ethnic minority tradition/culture is preferable however not essential.
• Experience is desirable.

This is a non-paid one year temporary position however accommodation and maintenance will be provided.

All interested candidates are required to send us a letter of application, a resume, and contact to the email provided. If your application is accepted, you will be invited for a telephone interview. Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered unless we have been unable to find a suitable candidate for this vacancy.

Successful candidates will require a DBS/POLICE check and references prior to commencement.

At St John Ambulance, we are looking to develop our volunteering offer and become an even more integral part of our communities through delivering community first aid and education. 

We need people who have a passion for helping others, care about their communities and want to make a difference. Through volunteering as an Emergency Responder, you’ll get a huge sense of satisfaction and pride delivering essential first aid and lifesaving clinical care at community and major events in your areas, including at sporting events, concerts, community festivals.

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.

This role involves undertaking 6 days face to face training and additional online learning.

Interviews will take place at St John Ambulance, 148 Wyld's Lane, Worcester on Sunday26th May 2026

An induction event will take place after a successful interview Inductions will take place between 1st May & 31st May 2026.

Training will take place over 3 weekends. Provisionally, we have the following dates. 13th & 14th June, 27th & 28th June& 11th & 12th July 2026

Closing date for these opportunities is: 15/04/2026

To apply for this opportunity please follow the link below:

We are currently looking to recruit an external trustee to join our Board of Trustees and also act as chair to the Finance and Audit Sub-Committee. We will also require the trustee to support our whistleblowing policy, acting as the nominated trustee contact for whistleblowing concerns.  You’ll champion openness and ensure the organisation has safe, fair, and effective processes for raising and handling concerns.

Your SU is overseen by our Board of Trustees, and our trading subsidiary (CUSU Services Ltd) is overseen by our Commercial Services Board . They are both made up of a collection of our elected Officers, students, university staff and external professionals that ensure the Charity and the Trading Subsidiary remain sustainable in terms of finance, legality and reputational status.

You will be expected to attend Board meetings 4 times per year – these will be a mix of in person and Teams meetings. You will also be expected to support at least one sub-committee of the Trustee Board (3-4 times per year) as well as complete training and induction. You will need some time to allow for prereading of reports and other documentation before meetings. 

Trustee meetings are typically held on a Friday afternoon 1pm-4pm. Most of the meetings are online, although you would be offered travel expenses for any face-to-face meetings (and hybrid meetings are usually offered if you do need to join remotely.) There is also a strategy day once a year as well as the occasional social activity!

For this trustee role, we are looking for an experienced professional ideally with third-sector governance experience. In addition to being a member of the Board of Trustees the trustee will be required to chair the Finance and Audit subcommittee and should possess a strong finance background with analytical skills and the ability to communicate complex financial information.

We are especially keen to encourage applications from people currently under-represented within the organisation, including but not limited to those from the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and those from a Global Majority background. We hope that by enhancing our diversity we can extend our organisational creativity and problem solving through the different perspectives and life experiences which diversity brings.

Please note that this is an unpaid voluntary role.

For further information there is a full recruitment pack and role profile available to download or visit our website for more information.

Nova New Opportunities is an educational charity based near Ladbroke Grove. As we ease out of London, we are looking for volunteers to help on day trips in and around London to support families in getting back to normality again.

Trips will include anything from horse riding through to the beach, farms and Kew Gardens. This is an opportunity to help families from marginalised communities while gaining experience of working with a small, friendly and supportive charity.

Volunteers will help the group leader to accompany groups of parents/guardians and their children on a variety of cultural/fun trips, helping to make them feel welcome. 

Suitable volunteers will be reliable and sociable and enjoy working with children. Volunteers must be available for day trips during school holidays, as this is when most of the trips take place.

Volunteers receive a full induction, and support from the Children and Young People Coordinator. Travel expenses on the outings and any entrance fees are covered, and some further expenses can also be claimed.

IMPORTANT: An enhanced DBS check is required for this role, and so we are unfortunately only able to accept applications from UK-based applicants or British nationals living abroad.

We are so excited to be relaunching the wonderful Lymington Shop this Spring! Here’s 5 reasons you’ll love to volunteer in our brand new shop.

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 will be opening with a beautiful new look and are now seeking an amazing volunteer team to support us as we prepare for our grand opening.

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 to apply.

Volunteering in the shop

Our Lymington Shop Volunteers will be 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.

Would you like to support people who have served in the Armed Forces? You just need the ability to listen, strong IT skills and good written and spoken English. If you think this could be the role for you, we’d love to hear from you.

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.